Mexico Missouri message., 1906-04-12

Auu ~ MI. Gaum cOutu not nelp AN
swering the latter question in the ~,
irmative, he was still reasonably sure
that there was no evidence in his pos
session Of q third party to the nyeat
conspiracy" which was SO puzSling
him.
Whence It seemed to be plain that his
present duty was to center his eff
forts upon the two people whom he sus-
pected-to investigate their doings
thoroughly, to watch both Of them with
all possible vigilance.
To keep Marion Stackhouse under
surveillance was a comparatively easy
task. She had not left the confines of
the North estate, except on the occa-
sion Of the funeral, since the discovery
Of her fathers death; and for a full
report Of her conduct for the immediate
present Lamm felt he could safely rely
on the vigilance of Moffett and Mollie
White. But the movements of Richard
Fetridge were not so easily followed.
Consequently, John Lamm did not dare
to trust this apparently most impor-
tant task to anybody but himself and
those under his active supervision.
On the Wednesday when he received
Thomas confidence in the Stella North
affair, Lamm doubled the safeguards
and precautions previously taken to as
sure himself of the integrity of Richard
Fetridge. Not that he ignored other
possibilities of investigation. Into the
past lives OF Stackhouse and North and
Marion he was already instituting the
most careful Inquiries; but Fetridge's
career interested him still more. With
that affable good fellowship which made
1t possible for him to make friends with
all sorts and conditions of men, he in
simulated himself into the good graces
of Fetridges clerk, and hearing that
Olsen had predecessor who had been
discharged for taking too much interest
in his employers affairs he hunted up
that man, with what degree Of reward
will be hereafter recorded.
He soon discovered that Mr.. Fetrldge
had ceased to take active interest in
legal work, that he had but few clients,
and that his chief business now seemed
to be to look after the investments of
his large property. John Lamm made
arrangements to be accurately informed
from day to day Of full list Of the
millionaiTe's Office visitors, especially
Of those whom he took into his inner
sanctum, and whose business with him
appeared to be confidential.
1t was in this way that he first became
informed of the existence of Nine. Ray
mond.
Here is the report furnished by Rich
ard Fetridge's clerk, Olsen, late in the
afternoon of Thursday:
about three o'clock mighty pretty
woman, whose complexion had evil
IDENTIFY been toned up by artificial ex-
pedients, asked, in tone of authority,
If Mr.. Fetridge was in said No. but
she might expect him in a few minutes.
Would she sit down and wait? She
would. She drew her chair up near
the window, and looked out all the time.
1t struck me she was careful not to turn
round when anybody came in. l may
be wrong, but it occurred to me that she
did this so as not to let her face be
seen by any chance visitor.
1T was something like 80 minutes
before the boss appeared. AS soon as
she heard his voice she turned round.
The boss gave a start. Why, Nine.
Raymond he said, and surprised
enough he was. But he hurried her
toward his private office, saying some
thing in low tone, and looking over
in my direction. But you may believe
was adding up column of figures just
at that time.
We'll, the two were closeted an hour
together, and then the woman came
out. Always the politest of men is
my boss when good-looking face is
about. He danced attendance on her,
and heard him say, as he took her hand
at the door:
Have no anxiety, my dear madam.
Everything is being carefully looked
after. Trust me to see that all comes
out right
And that was the last saw of the
woman"
Mr.. Lamm, with all his eagerness to
get at the case only intensified by
these incomplete and unsatisfactory
disclosures, requested his informant
to let him know the instant that UNI
known woman appeared in Fetridge's
office again.
He was prepared for an indefinite pc
ROD of waiting, and the arrival of this
brief message the morning of the day
after he had given these last instruc-
tions, came as pleasant surprise:
"She is here"
With all speed the detective made his
way towards the substantial brick build
ing where Richard Fetridge was usually
to be found during business hourF on
any weekday Of the year.
Waiting in the quiet corridor, Mr..
Lamm found the place almost as de-
serted, this summer morning, as If it
were a bank holiday. But the echo
Of door closing on the flight above,
and the sound Of two voices, one of
which was Fetridge's, in amicable con-
VersatiOn Snon demanded hiS close Of