Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-09-14
much as If he had disappeared witt

luuClI dS IL III AAAA SNFfS~A ~ " 49,
every thing"
Brewster did not take his eyes from
| Ripley's face throughout the terrible
speech. He did not move fraction Of
an inch from the rigid position as
sumed at the beginning.
us anything being done?" he asked
mechanically
1.-THE police are investigating. He Is
known to have started off into the
mountains with this secretary on the
Sd Of September. Neither has been
seen since that day SO far as any one
| knows. The earth seems to have swal
lowed them. The authorities are
searching the mountains and are max
ing every effort to find Jones or his
| body. He is known to be eccentric, and
ut first not much Importance was at
tached to his actions. That is all we
can tell you at present. There may be
developments tomorrow. 1t looks bad
terribly Tad. We've had the utmost
confidence in Jones. wish could
help you, my boy"
81 don't blame you, gentlemen" said
Brewster bravely. 'Its just my luck,
that's all. Something told me all along
that-that it wouldn't turn out right. I
wasn't looking for this kind Of end,
though. Ny only fear was that-Jones
wouldn't consider me worthy to receive
the fortune. 1t never occurred to me
that he might prove to be the-the un-
worthy one"
II will take you little farther into
our confidence, Brewster" said Grant
slowly. J.Mr Jones notified US in the
beginning that he would be governed
largely in his decision by our opinion
of your conduct. That is why we felt
no hesitation in advising you to con-
tinue as you were going. While you
were or at sea we had many letters
from him, all in that sarcastic vein Of
his. but in none of them did he offer a
word Of criticism. He seemed thor
oughly satisfied with your methods. In
fact, he once said he'd give million Of
his own money If it would purchase
your ability to spend one-fourth OF It"
"Well. he can have my experience
free of charge. A beggar can't be a
chooser, you know" said Brewster bit
terly. His color was gradually coming
back. What do they know about the
secretary?" he asked suddenly, intent
and alive
"He was a new one, I understand,
who came to Jones less than year
ago. Jones is said to have had implicit
faith In him." said Ripley.
"And he disappeared at the same
time?"
"They were last seen together"
"Then he has put an end to Jones!'
cried Monty excitedly. 1T is as plain
as day to me. Don't you see that he
exerted some sort of influence over the
old man, Inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solely for the purpose Of robbing
him of the whole amount? Was ever
anything more diabolical?" He began
!! pacing the floor like an animal, nerv-
ously clasping and unclasping his
hands. 1--WE must catch that secretary
I don't believe Jones was dishonest
He has been duped by a clever scoun-
drel."
1.-THE strangest circumstance OF all,
Mr.. Brewster, is that no such person as
Golden, the purchaser Of your proper
ties, can be found. He is supposed to
reside in Omaha, and it is known that
he paid nearly 100000 for the prop
erty that now stands in his name. He
paid 1t to Mr.. Jones In cash. too, and
he paid every cent that the property IL
worth"
But he must be in existence some
where" cried Brewster in perplexity
"How could he pay the money II he
doesn't exfst7''
81 only know that no trace Of the
man can be found. They know nothing
Of him in Omaha" said Grant helpless
~.
$50 1t has finally happened" said
Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped. "well," he added. throwing
himself into deep chair, 1T was al
ways much too strange to be true
Even at the beginning it seemed like 6