The Ordway new era., 1906-03-02

Theory, whicA might b u some 49,.
= comfort 10 her. - doing away with
the one point. hitherto regarded - M
coutrovcrtible. cf her husband's prs'
scnting In person the altered notes 70
low and to the other bank and re-
ceivine the money In exchange.
Constance listened to his accoun.
Of Ashley. OF Bruce's suspicions. ana
Touy's own ideas based ON Bruccs
account Of Ashicy's hypnotixing the
| jailer.
Now, II he could do that. Mrs. Ham
llton, why might he not have inhu'
enced Low to the extent OF MAKING
him believe he was the cashier o. the
Grovedale bank!"
'It IS u bold idea, Tony. ! wish
could credit IL fully. And yet. a. you
say. It Is no stranger than what ne
did TO the jaiier. AS alleged by MT.
Bruce. Bruce then thinks Ashley ana
vane are one and the same"
Bruce is n stupid old curmudgeon'
Couldn't track mouse back 10 MS
hole"
Tony" said Mrs. Hamilton. sudden
ly. what do you think OF the iettcr
thrust under Mr.. Hastings door ana
purpor,ing to have been written by
Mr.. Hamilton? do not think he wroie
IL Mt all"
He certainly did not. II what We
have conjectured is true"
why l think SO will tell you. lie
would never send me message
through another person no more than
he would have come to the bank with
out coming home"
Mrs. Hamilton's confident assertion
carried great weight with her listener
until n doubt hurled from the regions
of nowhere struck against II. How.
asked the doubt. IF he went away In
the company of another woman
You seem to doubt 1t. Tonys"
NO" he replied. for his mind had
already rallied from the shock on
thinking that he had taken his prem
ises on the belief OF his complete inno-
cence of every charge. Il think your
reasoning Is good. Mr.. Hamilton Is,
believe. instead of being n victimizer
the victim himself. of circumstances,
IL not conspiracy"
Tony arose to go soon Afterwards.
and Mrs. Hamilton said. gravely:
Il shall think over what you have
said. and II may be I shall want your
In following out some live
OF investigation. May count on your
aid?
Yes. indeed, I shall be most happy
to aid you II can" and Tony's boyish
face lighted up with pleasure.
Thank you. You are the only per
son in Grovedale. besides myself. who
believes my husband to be innocent.
Even Uncle Carter does not" said
Mrs. Hamilton, with emotion. as she
shook hands with the young man.
Constance thought the matter over
deeply for twenty-four hours. and then
The following letter reached young
Osborn:
Friend Tony-I have decided to ask
Of you the favor I limited Mt yester-
day. II you can get free from your
duties at the bank for a few days l
should like TO have you go to the po-
lice headquarters in Boston. gain
Interview with the chief. and
have him send suitable detective to
follow out the new clue furnished by
the cap found on the river bank. I
desire a man OF great astuteness. for
such man is needed, tell the chief.
and I am willing to pay well for the
service. and, OF course. I shall reim-
burse YOU for the time and money
spent in my behalf.
Very truly yours,
Constance Hamilton"
Tony got his release without much
dificulty and soon reached the police
headquarters. Following Mrs. Hamil-
toms directions he asked for a detcc-
tive of the keenest order. and such .
one was furnished him in the person
of small. alert individual by the
name Of Swan. To him Tony recount
ed from beginning to end the bank
mystery with its varied complications
and the adverse circumstances sur
rounding It at the present time.
ITO be continued)