Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-27

Well, sir, have you told me all that is
necessary for me to know"
| There Is nothing else of the past
that concerns you and me, Mr.. Lamm,'
said Stackhouse, nervously, wiping the
! perspiration from his brow, except
'this. Eight years ago accidentally
heard that Marie Moissot was living
in New York under another name. A
ifew years later an adventures blazed
\ into notoriety in the great metropolis
under the name of Nine. Perle, who
tailed well with the description of this
Marie. That she was the same per-
son am unable definitely to deter
mine. have only seen her photo
graph. l did not investigate nearer"
Detective Lamm was becoming huge
ly interested.
$50, So" he exclaimed. well, and
what have you done?"
| "Done!" echoed Stackhouse, giving
| him startled look.
Yes, mean recently, since the
trouble with your wife-with reference
| to obtaining information concerning
| this woman"
ell be entirely frank with you,''
| said Stackhouse. 81 hesitated about
making anybody confidant in this
| purely personal matter. l therefore
inserted an advertisement in Monday
mornings papers, offering to pay for
information of this woman. That ad-
| vertisement was answered, and it
brought me to house in Shawmut
avenue, where l have excellent rea-
sons for believing that this woman
has been; which shows conclusively
that my surmises in regard to he:-
having poisoned my wife's mind in
person were correct. But my efforts to
see this Marie have been baffied by
the intervention of cunning demon
In petticoats whom she deputed to
meet me. have written to her, but
receiving no reply am obliged to place
the matter in your hands. Mr.. Lamm,
do you think you can help me?"
Nothing could conceal the intense
anxiety, the almost hungry look Of
supplication in the junior partners
face
"Ah!" said the detective to himself,
whatever this mans past may have
been, one thing of his present life is
eminently plain. He loves his wife"
And you, then, don't suspect" he
said, aloud, this woman of completely
In the murder Of your partner?"
Il suspect her of nothing that is
good and everything that is bad" said
Stackhouse, bitterly II know that
this woman hates me with one of those
hatreds that will never forget nor for
give. Wherever | am SO long as she
lives I am in danger. She is revenge
full, and, more than all, accomplished
and INSCRIPTIONS"
Accomplished? repeated Lamm,
quickly. do you use that word in
tentiona1ly, Mr.. Stackhouse?"
II certainly do" replied Thornton
Stackhouse. "She has all the native
ability Of naturally shrewd and cum
ming woman, who has lost less by the
neglect of her education in letters than
she has gained through her direct con-
tact with the world"
Well. then" said Lamm, drawing
full breath, 81 cannot work in the
dark. l must have the fullest possible
description of Marie Moissot at the
very latest hour known to you"
"Of course" said Stackhouse, quick
ly, II knew that and came prepared.
l have brought you the photograph l
spoke of. 1t was obtained for me
seven years ago by a friend of mine
the photograph Of Nine. Perle! All
I can say of it Is that If Nine. Perle
be not Marie Moissot, the resemblance
between the two women is strange and
striking indeed"
John Lamm had some difficulty to
conceal his delight as Thornton Stack
house placed upon the table before his
eyes the counterfeit presentment of
the object Of Thornton Stackhouse's
fears.
There was no question about it.
Nine. Perle was Nine. Raymond!
When Thornton Stackhouse reissued
from John Lamm's den the efficient
custodians who kept him constantly
under surveillance had already noti-.
fed Inspector Applebee of his where
abouts. Mr.. Stackhouse was therefore
surprised to find a hand laid lightly
upon his shoulder.
Zone thing" said the voice of the
inspector in his ear; "just one thing,
Mr.. Stackhouse. l won't detain you
moment. Do you know, or have YOU
ever known, person calling himself
Albert Runyon?"
Stackhouse staggered and stealied
himself against the building for sup
port. He fairly gasped for breath.
What's the matter?" said the in
spector, with quick suspicion.
1T is nay heart" said Stackhouse.
hurriedly. "A sudden start you gave
me. l have trouble that way. The
life insurance physicians have warned
me-
Excuse me-" apologized the in
spector. II didn't mean to startle