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

I'VE shall not be disturbed" said
the detective; Il sprang the lock as
I came in"
Mr.. Stackhouse brought his chair
close TO the detective. When he spoke
it was in very low tones, hardly above
a whisper.
Mr.. Lamm. you may have read in
the afternoon papers that name was
written on the wall close TO where my
partner lay dead"
= nod and renewed twirling Of the
pen.
That name, Mr.. Lamm, was meant.
TO be mine-wss minei"
The detective raised his eyebrows
and seemed about TO speak
You are going TO ask me how
know" said Stackhouse. why. I
read IT with my own eyes. Yes. the
papers said the scrawl might have
meant Stick or stock or Stockholm.
and SO on; but I had a keener and
truer sight than the officers there.
Now detective. that name was
written by some enemy OF mine. who
seeks to duplicate me in this terrible
affair. am convinced OF the fact.
And. being 50 convinced. a man OF
your experience does not need 20 be
told that 1 dismiss the idea that Paul
North wrote that name on the wall as
utterly ont or The question"
The grave. listening face near his
wore no look Of surprise. as Mr.. Iamm
nodded his full understanding OF his
visitors thought
North being pat aside. we must
look for the guilty party in another
quarter. MIR. lSmm. you don't hap
pen 20 recollect who Il was at the
meeting Of Nicaragua directors. OF
which the papers published an account
testified that IA parte4 with Paul
North late yesterday afternoon"
Mr. Lamm did not appear TO recol-
iect, for he pursed up his lips. shrugged
his shoulders slightly and said moth
ing
Well detective. that man was Mr.
Richard Fetridge OF whom you may
have heard a young lawyer OF con
siderable property who has had deal
tngs with our hrm."
Richard Fetridge" repeated the de-
tective slowly; "weu?"
Mr.. Fetridge stated. after consider
able hesitation, which / couldn't help
noticing. that he lcft Mr.. North about
five O'Clock. after a business interview
with him at our Office. What the na-
ture Of that conference between them
was / can't say. Mr.. Fetridse and
did not Ike each other. I'm free 10 say
81, and latterly ] fancied that he grew
even more curt and unpleasant In his
manner toward me than before. Not
chat l cared for that. you understand:
I would not have given the matter
moments thought but for this terrible
affair. Nor even now. IL Fetridge's
strange conference, and his hesitancy
about saying whore he left Mr.. North,
were not put ia more peculiar light
by certain other facts that have come
60 my knowledge"
New facts?"
Yes. FetridSe and North were seen
together at much later hour than FIVE
O'Clock the afternoon OF the murder"
The statement was made polntedly.
and the detective gave evidence Of in
terest.
Are you sure?" be asked
Absolutely sure" Mr.. Stackhouse's
voice had sunk 10 a confidential whis-
per. a business acquaintance whose
word is beyond question has told me
that he saw the two men walking up
the Public Gardens at seven O'Clock
last evening, going in the direction
Of Marlboro street"
Lamm threw on the mask Of reserve.
And that is, to your mind. a most
valuable, q most important piece OF
evidence? In conjunction with Mr..
Fetridge's conduct and course, you
would consider n certainly very sig
nificant?"
$50 significant" returned Stack
house. that but for the fact that
want TO have the criminal so tangled
in the mesh when he is caught that
there can be 10 possible escape. /
should before this have given the in
formation TO the police"
Then your theory is-?" suggested
the detective
What theory could a man have IN
der the circumstances? Richard Fet-
ridge gained my partners confidence
got into the family on a friendly foot
ing-saw il was of no use 10 keep up
his scheme of working poor Mr..
North any further, enticed him to this
interview and subsequent conference a.
his house and there murdered him"
Murdered him." echoed Mr.. Lamm.
with not shade of difference In the
tone Of his voice, quite as If he ex-
pected just such a revelation.
Not only murdered him." Stack
house went on. his voice now full and
strong under the stress OF excitement;
but tried to fasten the guilt OF the
crime upon me. Richard Fetridge
wrote my name there in the blood OF
his Northumberland Fetridge, and no
other ieel as certain OF It as II
had been q witness of the deed. He is
my enemy; have felt It for long
time. and in the hostility, and no
doubt his dread lest his scheming with
North should come to light through
my examination OF his affairs, he has
done his utmost to discredit and dis
honor me. Now you see why / want
Richard Fetridge watched; why want
al - n