The Glenwood post., 1906-03-03

theory, which might be In some sense
I comfort to her. as doing away with
he one point hitherto regarded as in
rontrovertible, of her husbands pre-
ienting in person the altered notes 10
Low and to the other bank and re-
eeiving the money in exchange.
Constance listened to his account
If Ashley, of Bruce's suspicious. and
Tonys own ideas based on Brucc's
account of Ashley's hypnotizing the
taller.
Now, If he could do that, Mrs. Ham
ilton, why might he not have influ
enced Low to the extent of making
him believe he was the cashier Of the
Grovedale bank?'
at is a bold idea, Tony. l wish /
could credit it fully. And yet, as you
say, it is no stranger than what he
did to the jailer, as alleged by Mr..
Bruce. Bruce then thinks Ashley and
Vane are one and the same
Bruce is stupid old curmudgeon,
Couldn't track a mouse back to his
hole"
Tony said Mrs Hamilton, sudden
~. W Ildl uo YOU lIlIh vi tne ltllt1
thrust under Mr.. Hastings door and
purporting to have been written by
Mr.. Hamilton? do not think he wrote
it at ALL
He certainly did not, If what we
have coniectured is true"
why think so | will tell you. He
would never send me message
through another person no more than
he would have come to the bank with
out coming home"
Mrs. Hamiltons confident assertion
carried great weight with her listener
until doubt hurled from the regions
of nowhere struck against 1t. How"
asked the doubt, eff he went away in
the company Of another woman?"
You seem to doubt it, Tony?"
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, 81 think your
reasoning is good. Mr.. Hamilton is,
believe, instead of being a victimizer,
the victim himself, of circumstances.
if not conspiracy"
Tony arose to go soon afterwards,
and Mrs. Hamilton said, gravely:
Il shall think over what you have
said, and it may be ] shall want your
assistance in following out some live
of investigation May l count on Jour
aid?"
Yes, indeed, | 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 have decided to ask
of you the favor | limited at yester-
day. If you can get free from your
duties at the bank for few days l
should like TO have you go to the po
lice headquarters in Boston. gain a
personal interview with the chief, and
have him send a suitable detective ia
follow out the new clue furnished by
the cap found on the river bank.
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
difficulty and soon reached the police
headquarters. Following Mrs. Hamil
tons directions he asked for a detec-
tive of the keenest order, and such a
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 ~iverse circumstances sur
rounding it at the present .!me.
ITO be continued.)