Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-02
CHAPTER v.

youl iIGNCl NOlh MI. >NoJ ~ nv '>''"s
"Wil you take the good news to Miss
Holladay?"
My chief could not repress the swift
flush of pleasure which REDEEMED his
cheeks, but he managed to speak I'M
conccrnedly.
"Why. yes; certainly. I'll be glad to,
If you wish it. he said
Il do wish it," Goldberg assured him,
with Il tact and penetration ! thought
admirable You may dismiss the po-
liceman who is with her"
Our junior looked inqulringly at the
district attorney.
Before CO." he said, may ask
what you intend doing, sir?'
II intend finding the writer Of that
note" answered Singleton, smiling.
but, about Miss Holladay"
Singleton tapped his lips thought
fully with his pencil.
Before answer" he said at last, II
should like to go with you and ask be"
one question"
Every we'll" assented Mr.. Royce In
stantly and led the way to the room
where Miss Holiday awaited us.
She rose with flushing face as we en-
tered and stood looking ut us without
speaking; but. despite her admirable
composurc, could guess how she was
racked with anxiety.
Miss 1Iolladay," began my chief.
this is Mr. Singleton, the district at
torney, who wishes to ask you few
questions"
lone question only" corrected Sin
gleton, bowling. Were you at your ia
TIERS office yesterday afternoon, Miss
Holladay?"
"No, SIR" she answered instantly and
.emphatically. II have not been near
my fathers office for more than a
week"
saw him study her for moment,
then he bowed again.
THAT is ALL" he said. II don't think
the evidence justlfies me in holding
her. Mr. Royce" and he left the room.
followed him, for I knew that had
no further part in our juniors errand.
went back to our table and busted
myself gathering together our belong
ings. The room had gradually cleared
and at the eend Of ten minutes only
the coroner and his clerk remained.
They had another case, it seemed, to
open in the morning-anoth case
which perhaps involved just as great
heartache and anguish as ours had.
Five minutes later my chief came hur-
rying back to me and a glance at his
beaming eyes told me how he had been
welcomed.
Miss Holiday has started home
with her maid" he said. "She asked
me to thank you for her for the great
work you did this afternoon, Lester.
told her it was really you who had
done everything. Yes, it wasv he add
ed, answering my gesture of denial.
while was cropping helplessly
around in the dark you found the way
to the light. But come; we must get
back to the Office"
We found n cab at the curb and in
a moment were rolling back over the
route we had traversed that morning
ages ago, as it seemed to me! 1t was
OAIy u LEV lllAuLCsS dlICA u OSAOShS
and l reflected that should yet have
time to complete the papers in the
Hurd case before leaving for the night
Mr.. Graham was still ut his desk,
and he at once demanded an account
of the hearing. / went back to my
work, and SO caught only word here
and there-enough, however, to show
me that our senior was deeply inter-
ested in this extraordinary affair. AS
for me, put all thought Of it resolute-
ly from me and devoted myself to the
work in hand. 1t was done at last,
and locked my desk with sigh of
relief. Mr.. Graham nodded to me
kindly as l passed out, and left the
office with the comfortable feeling
that had done good days work for
myself as we'll as for my employers.
A man who had apparently been
lettering in the hall followed me into
the elevator.
'"This is Mr.. Lester, isn't it?" he
asked as the car started to descend.
YES" 1 said, looking at him in sur
prise He was we'll dressed, with
alert eyes and strong, pleasing face.
had never seen him before.
And you're going to dinner, aren't
you, Mr.. Lester?' he continued.
"Yes-to dinner" assented, more
and more surprised.
'Now, don't think me impertinent,"
he said, smiling at my look Of amaze
ment "but I want you to dine with
me this evening can promise you
as good meal as you will get at most
places in New York"
But I'm not dressed" protested.
"That doesn't matter in the least
neither am /, you see. We will dine
without others"
"Where?" I questioned.
"Well, how would the Studio suit?"
The car had reached the ground floor,
and we left it together. / was COM
pletely in the dark as to my compan-
ions purpose, and yet it could have but
one explanation-it must be connected
in some way with the Holiday case.
Unless-aud l glanced at him again.
No, certainly, he was not confidence
man-even If be was, would rather
welcome the adventure. My curiosity
won the battle.
Every well,' said. "I'll be glad to
accept your invitation, Mr.
He nodded approvingly.
There spoke the man Of sense.
Well, you shall not 90 unrewarded.