Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-15
AND THE MEANS

screamed. "Would be here if / had? Would
/ be here when | might" and he became in
articulate with rage
! Listen" said Dunn-Smith, recovering himself
with an effort and addressing his words to the
reporters and to a sergeant OF police. L want
it announced broadcast that | will pay $1O,OOO
tor any information that will lead to the arrest
and conviction of that man, and" grmly-"I
will pay the same amount for his dead body if
the identity can be proved"
Ford drew Taylor away to compare notes
"Say," whispered Taylor gleefullg. II have
her picture. It's a-What's the matter with
you"
Scarcely had Taylor spoken the word picture"
when Ford had gripped his arm like vice and
had given sharp exclamation.
whats the troube~ queried Taylor. "Got
an dea?"
81 have that" replied Ford emphatically. But
it's too indefinite to put into words. Wait till
| think about it little more" Yet the older
man never intended telling his companion for he
had come upon the clue he had been sub'con-
sciousy expecting and he wanted TO work out
the mystery himself.
With the word picture" light had come to
Ford He saw again the shabby man he had fol-
lowed, hours before. He recalled the strangers
evident horror as he the photograph OF
Helene Dunn-Smith, and his haste to get away.
Yet what could the seedy stranger have to do
with Helene Dunn Smith? He had the appear
ance of poor artisan, which he probably was.
Sure as he was that the man was in some way
implicated in the crime, Ford could not conjure
up a motive to fit his condition, and for this
reason he was determined not to attract the sus-
picion of the police toward him.
The house which the man had entered was in
one of the poorer residential sections, to be sure
but the neighborhood was not the resort of GRIM
inals and the reporter felt sure his bird would
d., -boy,t thara mr. n tn
identity Furthermore, Ford was entirely able
to run the clue out himself without official aid
and the $4,000 reward looked exceedingly good
to him.
So the young man concluded to let that end of
the case rest till the morrow and giving final
instructions to Taylor he left for the city. Nor
rison he knew, would remain at the station
house till the paper went to press, awaiting
possible arrest.
After rafting off half page story of the
crime. Ford went to his boarding house and
turned ill., determined to get up early the next
day and attempt to unravel the skem. He lay
awake for an hour trying to dovetal the poor
workman into the scheme of the tragedy, but
without success.
Next day the reporter did arise early and set
out for the house of his suspect. AT the corner
grocery he learned that the mans name was
Robert Dover; that he was SOBER industrious
mechanic with an invalid wife whose doctor bills
had reduced him almost to destitution; that he
had been making preparations to move and that
he had told several neighbors he going to
send his wife to Europe, but Heaven only knows,
the grocer said, how he would get the money.
Armed with this information the young man
pulled the bell at the Dover home.
A wasted weary-loo1ing little woman an
swered his ring. A glance told Ford that this
was the invalid wife and that same glance told
him she had not much longer to live.
"No, the man amt at home" said Mrs. Dover,
in response to his query. "He left just short
while ago"
"Where does he work." asked Ford.
'He amt working just now" replied the wo-
man proudly, we're going to Europe tomorrow;
everything is arranged"
Raising his hat Ford descended the steps and
boarded car for the railroad station, more
mystified than before. He decided he would