The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-01-12

cit should be very easy to trace til
writer of the note,' l said.
THE police have not found it So"
"No:"
"No. 1t was given to the doorkeepe
by boy-just an ordinary boy of fror
twelve to fourteen years. The ma
didn't notice him especially. He sal,
there was no answer and went away
How are the police to find that boy
Suppose they do find him. Probabl,
all he could tell them would be that
man stopped him at the corner ant
gave him a quarter to take the note I,
the cOroner's Office"
HE might give a description of thu
man." ventured.
What would a boys description b,
worth? 1t would be at the best vague
and indefinite. Besides, they've moi
even found the boy. Now, to return tC
the note"
We had come to the coffee and cigars
and felt 1t time to protest.
Before we return 10 the note, Mr.
Godfrey" l said, I'D like to ask you
two direct questions. What interest
have you in the matterf"
1.-The interest of every investigator
Of crime" he answered. smiling.
"You belong to the detective force,
them
Il have belonged to it. At present
I'm in other employ"
"And what was your object in bring
ing me here this EVENING""
Zone portion of my object has been
accomplished. The other was to ask
you to write out for me copy of the
note"
But who was it pursued us up
Broadway"
"Oh, l have rivals!' he chuckled. al
fatter myself that was rather neatly
done. Will you give me a copy of the
note, Mr.. Lesterf"
NO" l answered squarely. You'll
have to go to the police for that. I'm
out Of the case"
He bowed across the table to ME
with little laugh. As looked at him
his imperturbable good humor touched
me.
"Ill tell you one thing, though" l
added; 'the writer of the note knew
nothing Of Rogers color blindness.
You're off the scent there"
II ann" he asked amazedly. 'Then
how did you know it, Mr.. Lester?"
II suppose you detectives would call
It deduction. l deduced it,"
He took a contemplative puff or two
as he looked at me.
"Well," he exclaimed at last, II must
say that beats me! Deduced it! That
was mighty clever
Again bowed my acknowledgements.
"And that's all you can tell mel" he
added.
I'm afraid that's ALL"
very well. Thank Won for, that
much" and he fiicked the ashes fro.l
his cigar. Nov, l fear that l must
cave you. I've good deal of work
% do, and you've opened up a very
interesting line of speculation as
sure you that I've passed very pleas
int evening. l hope you've not found
t tiresome?'
Quite the contrary" l said heartily.
I've enjoyed myself immensely"
''Then I'll ask you one last favor.
Ny cab is at the door, I've no fur
her use for it, and beg you'll drive
lome in it."
l saw that he really wished It,
"Why, yes, certainly" I assented.
THANK you," he said.
He took me down to the door. called |
he cab and shook hands with ma
"Goodby, Mr.. Lester" he said. I'm
lad of the chance to have met you.
IN not really such mysterious in
ividual. It's merely trick OF the
rade. l hope we'll meet again some
ime."
80 do l." said. and meant it.
l saw him stand for a moment on the
urb looking after us as we drove
way then he turned and ran rapidly
p the steps Of the elevated.
The driver seemed in no hurry to get
1e home, ana | had plenty of time to
hink over the events of the evening.
ut | could make nothing of them.
What result he had achieved / could
OF. imagine. And vet he had seemed
atisfied. AS to his theory. could not
ut admit that it was an adroit one:
ven mastery one-a better one. cor
iinly, than should have evolved un
ided.
The cab drew up at my lodging and
sprang out. tipped the driver and ran
p the steps to the door. My landlady
let me on the threshold
"Oh Mr.. Lesterr' she cried. "Such a
me as I've had this night, Every five
linutes there's been somebody here
'oking for you, and there's crowd Of
lem up in your room now. / tried to
ut them cut, but they wouldn't co.
CHAPTER VI
WAS quite dazed for the moment