Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-23


investigation. The first step was to visit
the library, where the body of tine dead
man had been found. 1t was in perfect
order, in accordance with the habits OF
John Woloott. A table had been found
overturned on the night of the death, but
otherwise everything was in place Barnes
examined every square inch of the room
with extreme care. He noticed a half
smoked cigarette under the library table
and quietly picked it up and placed it in
his pocket The next discovery was a red
wallet-empty and apparently discarded.
1t was the Identical pocketbook which the
merchant had pulled out when he paid the
conscience money in the custom house A
few minutes later he came upon something
that gave him great joy 1t was a mass
Of torn typewritten paper lying scattered
on the library floor. 1t was as If some one
had torn a letter into pieces and carelessly
thrown the fragments away.
After that Barnes presented himself to
MIR. Austin Gates. The gentleman was
not glad to see him; on the contrary, he
greeted the customs chief with distinct
chilliness OF manner, Gates was dapper
little man with curly brown hair and mus
tache He was dressed in the height Of
fashion, and everything in his attire, from
his nobby tie down to his neat fitting
patent leather shoes, was strictly correct.
He punctuated his sentences with ner-
vOus little laughs that were entirely de-
void of mirth. Once he pulled out his
handkerchief to wipe his brow, and the
chief inspector noticed with repugnance
that it was scented with lavender.
Mr.. Barnes" he said in his jerky man
ner, Il don't know that we have any use
IA I. H.. 49, 90
caslon."
Perhaps" said the chief persuasively,
Il might be able to help you in some
way"
mot at all, not at ALL" with a super
cilous wave Of the hand. As an after
thought he added languidly, II don't sup
pose Mr.. Wolcott owes anything to the
United States government"
mot now" replied Barnes, with heavy
emphasis on the last word.
"Ar / to infer that he did owe some
thing?" sneered the Junior member of the
firm.
You may take any inference you like, "
retorted Barnes as he walked out OF the
room.
Gates remained in the little room which
John Wolcott had used as a private Of
He was going feverlshly through some ac-
count books and was 30 intent on his work
that he scarcely noticed the departure OF
the inspector. Barnes hurried TO the H.
brary and rang for a large sheet of paper
and bottle of mucilage. Receiving them
he pulled the scraps of paper out OF his
pocket Laboriously and with infinite pains
he pieced the torn letter together When
he had finished ne had typewriter note
without date or address or signature, which
read as follows;
what you propose is altogether Quix
otto. II Is foolish and may cause trouble
Above all, It Il not necessary"
Afterward he leaned back in one OF the
leather-covered chairs and studied IN,
epistle until every dot and letter in 4
must have been indelibly imprinted upor
his mind. Ten minutes elapsed. II,
jumped up with a cry OF triumph. Fol
some time he wandered about the hous'
like a restless spirit presently he met RIOS
Wolcott.
Miss Rosew he exclaimed. Il want yol
to do me favor It's unpleasant, but &
may have a vital bearing on the solution
Of your fathers death"
I'm do It then" she replied, with
resolute pressure OF the lips.
Barnes told her his wish. II proved 81
unpalatable that she protested most vigor
ously, but after some Argument on hl
part relented and consented. Believing
that dlsaEreeable tasks should be per
formed quickly. she walked directly from
the customs inspector TO the little room
where Austin Gates was still engaged fl
feyerishly porting over the books Of tn