Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1906-05-17
ICs9yyight, by The cassell Publishing Col
CHAPTER xXII.-CoNrnUEr

John Lamm quickly regained his ac-
customed composure, and barred the
outer door in advance Of the rush of
the excited throng which he knew was
coming.
He returned, moment later, to the
little room, paying not the slightest heed
to the crush without, or to the loud and
reiterated demands: Let us in! Let
US inl"
In the dead mans clenched hand,
which Mr.. Lamm made no attempt to
unclasp, was held a 32-caliber revolver.
The other hand held pen.
Written on the blotter of the desk was
this, the last message of Thornton
EtaclIhouse:
"send for my wife, Marion Stackhouse.
'Tell her my death is my reparation.
y can forgive her IL she can forgive me-
But cannot live without her."
Mr.. Lamm read the words, and gave
= look full Of pity at the motionless fig
ure sitting theresa near him, yet in
an awful sense so far removed.
The stentorian demand at the outer
door had ceased when he reentered his
main Office, but there was a dull MUIR
muir, which grew to a very babel of ex-
cited sounds, when DIR. Lamm's form
was seen on the threshold.
Two men were standing close to the
door, having apparently been given that
post of distinction by common consent
of the crowd, who held back a little
way.
Mr.. Lamm knew his men at once.
Gentlemen" he said, gravely, you
are outwittedI"
They made pretense of misunder-
standing him.
What do you mean?" said the older
man.
II mean," returned the detective,
quietly, chat you can inform your In
spector that your services will be no
longer necessary. The inner room, gen
tlemen"
He waved his hand for them to enter
They hurried in. In another minute
enc of them came out, forced his way
through the increasing throng which
blocked the entrance, and hurried after
Inspector Applebee.
Mr.. Lamm turned gravely to his as
sistant.
go to Richard Fetridge's Office" he
said in low tone, "and have him here
at once. Don't explain. Don't listen
to any excuses for delay"
The man pushed through the crowd
and was of like a shot.
Both messengers were signally sue
cessful.
To the immense satisfaction of the
5reathless officer in citizens clothes, he
met Inspector Applebee coming down
the street holding his course directly in
the line taken by Mr.. Lamm's mes
senger
Two words, and the inspector hur-
ried toward the scene of death, and
found his way through the press. Mr..
Lamm, waiting at the door, bowed and
admitted him at once.
With Inspector Applebee and his man,
a great surge Of excited humanity
rushed into Mr. LaInm's Office Only by
dint of the most active exertions could
the police keep back the eager crowd
from the little room.
Presently there was stir at the outer
door. Attention was diverted for the
moment from what the little room con-
tanned of animate or inanimate human
ity, as Mr.. Fetridge, visibly excited, en-
tered the Office under the guidance Of
Mr. Lamm's messenger.
Mr.. Lamm, counting upon his speedy
coming, was on the watch, and with the
cooperation of Inspector Applebee, tc
whom the detective deferred as being thu
representative in authority, Richard
Fetridge was admitted to the innel
room.
"a horrible sight" he murmured
putting his hands before his face, ant
leaning against one OF the officers. In
few moments he had recovered, but
avoided, as much as he could, turning
any glance toward the desk.
do you remember what Daniel Web
ster said once?" Fetridge spoke to Mr.
Lamm under his breath, butnot so Low
that the listening ear of Inspector Ap
plebee did not catch,every word: 'Ther,
IS no refuge for the murderer but sui
eide. And suicide is confessionI'"
Hardly was the sentence uttered, wheI
Inspector Applebee, as II aroused b!
some sudden thought, ordered the ON
GERS to clear tho outer room and Il
prevent further blockade upon tn
stairway.
mot you, OF course, said the inspect
or, addressing generally the little group
NO word was spoken by them Will
the orders were carried out, not with
out some difficulty. When the room
was cleared at last. the inspector mo
toned to one OF his men TO remain b,
the body, and led the way into the large
Toom, Mr.. Lamm and Mr.. Fetridge fol
lowing Ia turn.
Taking no note Of the detective, In
Epector Applebee wheeled upon his CON
panion and clapped ilrm hand on hi
arm.
u am sorry 70 have TO say Il, Nj
Fetridgo, but must take you into cua
tr4.sff