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

NJ. Ltmm4 questioned Mr.. Rich
ard Fetridge
That is my name. sir
Excuse me. l know you. | need
your services at once. have unlimited
money at my disposal. You have been
recommended to me by trusted friends
as most discreet in your calling
Come with me-"
The two we're in Mr.. Fetridge's pri-
vate Office. and the door secured
against intrusion before Detective
Lamm's vis-a-vis declared himself.
Pardon my abruptness.' said Fet-
ridge. Pressing business must be nv
excuse. Not TO waste time in pream-
bles, Detective Lamm, l want to retain
your services in matter OF vital in
terest to me. You shall fix the amount
or compensation yourself Now win
you undertake this service?"
Mr.. Lamm looked at him calmly.
"That depends somewhat upon the ma
ture Of the business in hand" he said.
dryly.
"Oh, it's perfectly legitimate" went
on Mr.. Fetridge. Its this terrible
murder in Marlboro street.-the killing
OF Paul North. ne was my friend:
am on intimate terms with the fam
fly, and / wish 10 be kept fully posted
on the progress OF the work of detect
ing the guilty party"
"Umha, You have a keen interest
IN this matter. siri"
Why, detective" said Fetridge. edg-
Ing his chair closer. Il have good rea-
son to be eager in this matter. As
man to man. I tell you here that (
believe the guilty man in this case to
be Paul North's partneri"
The detective remained utterly IN
moved, but grave and attentive.
Mr. Thornton Stackhouse?"
"Of course" said Fetridge. quickly.
Il make this statement absolutely in
confidence. I wouldn't condemn the
man publicly on my simple suspi-
! eions."
"Oh. Of course not"
"But I tell you. sir" Fetridge re-
sumed, pacing the floor excitedly. Il
know the man TO be a villain. snow
him for a scoundrel and-good heav-
ems Poor North, Poor Marionf
What a misfortunel"
You will. OF course. acquaint me
with the reasons for your suspicions7'~
Mr.. Lamm mildly suggested. by way OF
/ bringing his nov motioniess client to
a realization OF his SURROUNDINGS Fet-
| ridge awoke from his trance with a
start.
Reasons" he echoed. No! Ger
I tainly not"
"Umha" tthe detective bsJ hubit
Of prefacing his discourse w.th this
reflective Erunt), North had quite a
family?"
HE he's two daughters. sir"
"Youngf Unnarriedg"
What? Don't you know? The cid
est. Marion, is Thornton Stackhouse's
wife. The younger. Stella. is Il"
And Mrs. North?"
Dead ,aese 10 years. Her sister
! Comfort Harwood. is the housekoeper-
The family are at the beach at
| swampscott-stiIl. I presume. IN igno-
rance OF the awful cloud which is
hanging over them. Poor rirlsi Poor
old Aunt Comfort! say. Lamm-
you'll undertake the case won't youg
II there's any disgrace can save this
bereaved family. / am bound TO do IT,
! want TO employ you TO hunt UP evil
dence in behalf OF the family. and TO
| report TO me as rapidly as possible.
In fact 7 wish 20 know. II il can be
done, all the evidence the police have
when the inquest is called. won't
conceal from you that the attitude /
shall take on that occasion may be
governed largely by what you tell me-"
We'll, Mr.. Fetridge. no man can
make fairer o1er than you've made.
and under the circumstances I'll be
very glad 20 take up the case and see
what l can make OF &C.. Count upon me
TO let you know when I have found
anything OF the slightest value"
Il certainly shall, detective" re-
turned Fetridge whose face expressed
the satisfaction he felt at securing
such an ally. And SO the conference
ended.
Detective Lamm, now turning his
steps towards his own Office. not far
| away, bethought himself that this man
Stackhouse, whom he knew very well
by sight. would be likely to occupy
a large share OF his time and attention
for many days to come
Il came as a surprise. even 10 his
imperturbable nature, 90 find that the
first face 10 look into his as he entered
MS once was the face OF Thornton
Stackhouse. But Detective Lamm was
quite equal 10 the occasion.
Were you waiting to see me?" he
asked. In his most matter-of-fact tones.
a quick look had assured him that the
banker. though less excited in manner
than his recent client, was certainly
not positively free from agitation.
Yes" said Mr.. Stackhouse. taking
chair in response to the detectives
reckoning invitation. MY name is
Thornton StackLouse. have come al
most directly from the house Of my
partner. Paul North. You know, OF
course, about his death-his murder?''
Mr.. Lamm bowed. twirling a pen be-
tween his fingers. and waited for his
companion 20 continue
Perhaps l need not recount all the
circumstances detective, that combine