Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-29
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE MEpEA wEEPs

CHAPTER Xxx.
THE MEDEA wEEPs
A double knock at the door inter.
rupted the conference at this moment.
John Lamm's assistant admitted, whis-
pered few words In the detectives ear.
Bring her in" said Lamm aloud. AS
the man passed out, the detective tipped
Thomas wink.
cts my little amateur detective at
North's," he murmured.
Immediately spruce and bright-eyed
brunette, very Hastily dressed, crossed
he threshold, with a bright smile for
her employer; but when she saw Thomas
she hesitated and drew back.
~Oh, it's all right. Don't be afraid.
ms only my partner" said Lamm, re-
assuringly. He introduced her to Mr..
Thomas, closed the door, and gave her
chair.
Don't be afraid to speak out" he
said, kindly. You're among friends"
I'm afraid all but to death" s;sid the
girl, who was evidently excited. III
this thing should ever come out about
me! Not that l care for my present
place I'd have given notice last week
if it hadn't been for you Mr. Lamm."
Now, don't go to worrying, my girl.
Your services to the cause of justice will
not only be rewarded here, but here
after, as have always told you. Now
What is it?''
"Gracious!" exclaimed the girl, I'm
| all in fiuster. Better ask me what it
isn't. There's so much, couldn't write
it. l didn't dare to. I'm thief.
What do you think I've done? Stolen
a letter."
The girl announced this with a half-tri-
umphant half-frightened air, and
looked quickly from face to face, to see
whether her conduct was considered e1-
emplary.
"Oh, you're getting on said Lamm,
REFRESHING tendency to smile You'll
be way up in the profession in short
time"
Il wouldn't have done it," said the
girl, flashing a grateful glance toward
her employer, IF 1t hadn't been for one
thing. My brother John wrote me yes
terday that he had got that nice place
you promised me to get him. And
them as remembers me, why, re-
members them
And without further ado, the maid
searched in the bosom of her dress, and
produced an envelope.
"The lady went out last night, and
| Uh ho 7
| writing desk. l didn't have time to do
all liked to. was too scared. But
this was put all by itself in a little drawer,
andsI thought by the way 1t read it
might be useful"
The detective took the letter with
an Indifferent air; but the moment he
began to read 1t his fac changtd color.
Actually, Thomas did not believe that
John Lamm would betray so much agi-
tation. But his own turn We coming.
Without word of comment, Lamm
thrust the open letter into his friends
| hand.
And this was what Thomas saw:
"My Dear Madam: MIR. Richard Fetridge
and Mr.. North. your father, are to have
secretly conference at the Boston House,
Marlboro street. after dinner tonight.
The subject to be discussed is your hus-
band. They will try to keep from you the
object II, now, you are wise woman,
and value your reputation and your happi-
ness in the future you will not hesitate
to secrete yourself in that house to them
unknown, before seven o'clock You may
then hear all, and govern yourself there
with. Breathe a word of this confidential
communication to- anybody, and all your
! chances you will destroy Of knowing that
! you are deceived outraged, shamefully
victimized. by those who should protect
| you best
Believe me woman, dear madam who
sympathizes with you and your
FRIEND AND WELL WIsHER.'
Without word Thomas fastened to
open his pocket-book, and to produce a
second letter, which had been loaned
him by Inspector Applebee for publica-
ton in the Globe. 1t was the anony-
nous missive denouncing Albert Run
yon to Paul North.
Thomas laid the two epistles side by
side and triumphantly thrust them un-
der Mr.. Lamm's eyes with single COM
ment:
"The handwritinpi"
Ito be continued in next ISSUE