Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-11

over-estimate the influence OF that
word written on the wall-your name
as you declare. No one else has as
serted this openly, Mr.. Stackhouse:
but there have, no doubt, been whis-
perings to that effect, and IL is the
part of wisdom for you to silence. at
once and effectually. any such charge.
uttered. insinusted. or limited at. You
can, of course. prove your whereabouts
at the time when the murder must
have been committed?"
Mr.. Lamm said this in a tone of
business-ltke Indifference.
You mean-an alibi?" asked Stack
house. with something more of hest
fancy than had characterized his state
ments hitherto
Certainly"
Well, Mr.. Lamm. as We are on con-
tidential terms. talking as man 10 man.
l see no reason for concealing the fact
that my position as regards an abb
is little peculiar"
'Indeed?" Mr. Lamm gave his pen
another twirl.
Il went to Vercelli's about half-past
six O'Clock for dinner with Mr.. Spar
hawk. one of my business friends. He
was Obliged TO take a train out of town
on the Providence road. and after the
dinner 1 walked up and down the Pub
lie Garden, smoking a contemplative
cigar"
"Alone?"
yes. Just how long this might
have taken l really cannot say"
About what time did you finish
your dinner?'
Somewhere about haf-past seven
O'Clock. After this little walk. TO helm
digest my dinner. went towards
Washington street again. Then-but
Why should / beat about the bush2
The evening was on my hands. and
| dropped in for quiet little game
with some friends at a house in Avory
street"
Yes; I've heard OF the place" said
the detective. dryly.
There 7 stayed until il was getting
nearly two o'clock. when walked into
the Adams house. and slept till break
fast"
"Umha!" Mr.. Iamm seemed TO be
considering a point. About what time
did you visit the Avory street house,
II may be important as bearing on the
question OF alibi."
Not until after nine can be sure
OF that, FOR / distinctly remember hear
ing the bells ring at that hour while
was in the street"
At all events" said the detective
your friends can testify. II il should
be necessary, through any complica-
ton OF circumstances. when you Joined
your party. and how long you remained
there?"
Undoubtedly" Mr.. Stackhouse sat
moment thinking ia his turn. Il.
suppose no reliable opinion has vet
been given as 90 the time when Paul
North came To his end?" He looked
trife uneasy Is he put the cues
ton
I've must await the report OF the
autopsy on that point" rejoiued the
detective. 1t seems 10 be taken for
granted that Mr.. North died some time
between six D. IN. and nine a. N by
the papers. Only the decision OF the
medical examiner, however. can have
weight In the matter. II / can ascer-
tain its drift in advance" added Mr..
thought "a will advise you az once"
Then You really thiuk You can un-
dertake the case2' Stackhouse asked.
eagerly.
81 have decided to-" said Lamm.
dryly. Il am very glad you came acre,
Mr.. Stackhouse. think I should have
been led into serious error regarding
this case il you had not come. How
ever. IL Is al right ] shall make an
exception to an almost unbroken bust
ness rule, and undertake the case for
few days at least II find l cannot
continue the work, / will promptly
notify you"
Evidently gratifed at receiving this
assurance, Stackhouse took his leave
Mr.. Lamm was not In the habit OF
working for both sides of a case at the
same time. and he was only induced
90 break his rule in this instance by
the sudden suspicion that Fetridge,
not Stackhouse, was the criminal He
had strong objections 10 Identifying
himself with the cause of the murderer
when he might be employed in the in
terests Of justice.
I'm soon md out" he said to him
self, which OF you is the villain, and
send in my resignation 70 that man at
once"
But IL did not prove 70 be such an
easy task as Mr.. Lamm had antici-
pated
The detective left his Office almost
upon the heels OF his second client.
and. shadowins him short distance.
saw him enter a branch Office Of the
Western Union Telegraph company. II
is very strict rule with the company
that dispatches are TO be considered
confidential, and woe TO the man who
betrays this confidence and gets caught
at il. But II is a pretty difficult thing
to restrain a man from accommodating
friend when ne is sure that the
friend viii never allow him to suffer
thereby; and so, through the courtesy
Of the operator. who was upon Mr.
Lamm's list Of "availables," the dis
patch written by the junior partner
was, soon after that gentleman's de-
parture. in the hands OF the detective.