Mexico Missouri message., 1906-02-01

Uses from top 10 potion without finding
q trace Of it,
"That has an odd look, too"
But" continued Applebee, with a
meaning emphasis, 81 did find the box
Of cartridges filled-in drawer
of the writing desk in the library where
the man was shot The drawer was
closed, but the box was open"
Important" said the chief inspector.
quickly. Important. Now, how thor
ough has feen your search Of the prem
ises?"
Il did not take any chances. took
two men with me. We even visited the
coal bins and examined the ash barrels
in detail. Stackhouse has been eager TO
AFFORD us any help. He has even given
US every key we asked for. The search
has been thorough. The pistol is not
there"
$50 then it only remains to discover
who that woman was"
80 1t seems"
Have you no clew?"
Just one"
"Of what nature?"
"a perfume. To be sure, there is a
handkerchief, but it is unmarked and
have inquired at the stores where they
sell such things, to no purpose. I told
you where and when found that bit of
lace. 1t was upon the stairs, between
the second and third floors, not a great
many steps from the door of the library,
and it had not been lying there any if
teen days, which is the length of time
the family have been away"
How do you known"
"Bless you, l took 1t to chemist He
assured me that to be as fresh as that
the perfume must have been applied
within two days at the longest. 1t is one
Of those volatile preparations that soon
lose their strength"
81 don't see but your chain is COM
plete, then, so far as it goes. No man
ever carried that handkerchief 1t must
have been dropped by woman. The
woman was seen coming away after the
hour at which the crime was committed.
You haven't forgotten that perfume,
trust"
"Assuredly not If / ever get near
enough to the woman who uses it-but
that's the trouble. I'm afraid she's not
apt to pay me visit"
you must visit her, then. Meanwhile,
what about the threatening letter which
was written to North week or two pre-
vious to the crime?"
Bless me! / had nearly forgotten IT.
But what are we to do? The decoy letter
is still unclaimed at the post Office"
Put an expert on to the handwriting.
Get samples Of the chirography of every
body who is likely to have suffered by
the operation of the firm"
The idea was so feasible that Inspeo-
tor Applebee determined to put it in eff
feet at once. He left headquarters and
hurried to the office of North & Stack
house. where he hoped to find the junior
partner.
Disregarding the Grape on the door
which kept away less important visitors,
Inspector Applebee ratified at the han
die, and was quietly admitted by old
Jobson, who seemed to have the outer
office all TO himself
"Mr. Stackhouse?" said the inspector
The old clerk covered his eyes with his
left hand and pointed to the door of tho
inner Office, Applebee understood the
unspoken premonition of the old man.
Poor old fool" he thought; "he
thinks the hour Of the firms disgrace
has come, and that am here to arrest
his employer. Well may be shall,
some day But not yet--not yet"
He pushed open the door and went In
without ceremony. Thornton Stack
house started up from the desk at which
he had been writing, his face flushed,
his manner agitated.
The inspector expected some word'of
greeting-a grunt or a nod, II nothing
more But Stackhouse drew full
breath, set his teeth and seemed to be
waiting.
Bless me-" thought the inspector.
''He expects it too"
''Well, Stackhonse," he said, with q
reassuring smile; is there anything
new In the caseGY
Stackhouse sighed and shook his head
YEARLY His dry lips murmured:
Nothing"
He evidently understood that thera
was still a respite. but it did not seem to
comfort him. His eye suddenly fell upon
the paper on which he had been recently
writing. He furtively seized It IN his
hand and crumpled It,
The inspector, who observed this, linz
mediatosy began tn appear Indifferent
to stacshouse's actions, and, slstaud-
Ing 70 sarn towara Jobson, stated ais
purpose ~ calling
ataekhouns. falling Into the trap.