Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-01-06


his fingers for a considerable space
without replying.
''Mr. Lamm." he said at las. "the
Moissot episode in my experience is
one / am not fond Of calling to mind.
] met the girl when she was about
16 years old-where IL matters not
I thought I was fond OF her-and was
caught in the snares OF her petty
face. My acquaintance with her old
not last long. The vindictive temper
and insane jealousy of the girl, who
was mere of a woman than most OF
our northern females OF twice her age,
warned me that 1 had made a mis-
take"
The parting was not voluntary on
her part2"
Stackhouse ground his teeth; his
lips were dry and feyerish; under the
table his fists. the detective noticed.
were clenched.
Certainly not" said Stackhouse.
THAT would have been impossible"
"Ah!" said the detective. "Unfor-
tunate"
"Unfortunatei" echoed stackhouse.
Good heavens, man. it was madness
insanity"
"And-poor policy" added the de-
tectiye. significantly. But bygones
are irretrievable. And 50 IL is this
woman whom you suspect to have pol
soned your wife's mind against you?
Well, sir. have you told me all that Is
necessary for me 20 know?"
D. Of hn 81
that concerns you and me, Mr.. Lamm,"
said Stackhouse, nervously. wiping the
Precipitation from his brow. except
this. Eight years ago I accidentally
heard that Marie MoissOt was living
in New York under another name. 4
few years later an adventures blaked
into notoriety In the great metropolis
under the name Of Nine. Perle. who
tailed well with the description OF this
Marie. That she was the same per-
son / am unable definitely 10 deter
mine I have only seen her photo
graph. I did not investigate nearer"
Deceive Lamm was becoming huge
ly interested.
$50. So" he exciSimed. We'll. and
what have you done?'
"Done," echoed StackEouse, giving
him a startled look.
Yes. mean recently. since the
trouble with your wife-with reference
20 obtaining information oonce-ning
this woman"
III DE entirely frank with you. !"
said Stackhouse. Il hesitated about
making anybody a confdant In this
purely personal matter 1 therefore
inserted an advertisement IN Monday
mornings papers. Offering to pay for
Information OF this woman. That adj
vertisemeut was answered and 1t
brought me t0 a house in Shawmut
avenue. where have excellent rea-
sons for believing that this woman
has been. which shows conclusively
that my surmises in regard 70 he
having poisoned my wife's mind In
person were correct. But my EFFORTS u
, see this Marie have been bamed by
the Intervention OF cunning demon
in petticoats whom she deputed u
meet me. / have written 20 her. out
receiving no reply am Obliged TO place
the matter in your hands. Mr. Lamm
DO you think YOU can help me?"
Nothing could conceal the intense
anxiety. the almost hungry look OF
suppucation in the junior partner 8
face
"Ahl" said the detective 20 himself
whatever this mans past may have
! been. one thing OF his present life Is
eminenly plain. he loves his wife"
"And you then, don't suspect" he
said. aloud. "this woman OF completely
IN the murder OF your partner2"
Il suspect her OF nothing that Is
good and everything that is bad" said
Stackhouse. bitterly. Il know that
this woman hates me with one OF those
hatreds that will never forget nor for
give. Wherever ] am SO long as she
lives I am IN danger. She is revenge
full, and. more than all. accomplished
and interruptions"
Accomplished repeated Lamm
quickly. do YOU ~ that wore In
tentionally. Mt StackhoUse9'
u certainly do" replied Ihorutou
/ Stackhouse. "She has a.. the native
ability OF a naturally shrewd and Gun
ming woman who has lost less by the
| neglect of her education in letters than
she has gained through her direct con
tact with the world"
well thea" said Lamm. drawing q
full breath. Il cannot work In the
dark. ! must have the fullest possible
description of Marie Moissot at che
very latest hour known 10 you"
"Of course" said StackhOuse. quick
| ly, Il knew that and came prepared
I have brought you the photograph
spoke Of IL was obtained for me
seven years ago by a friend OF mine
the photograph OF Nine. Perlel AL
can say OF il is that il Nine. Perle
be not Marie Moissot, the resemblance
between the two women is strange and
striking indeed"
John Lamm had some difficulty tC
| conceal his delight as Thornton Stack
house placed upon the table before hi:
eyes ;he counterfeit presentment o.
the object of Thornton Stackhouse':
fears.
| There was no question about II
Nine Perle was Nine RaVmOndi