Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-02-09
6be
.HouadaY
Case


wUrTny Iy woGd De at Ine DeSr vague
and indefinite. Besides, they've mo-
even found the boy. Now, to return tt
the note"
We had come, to the coffee and cigars
and felt it time to protest.
Before we return to the note, Mr.
Godfrey" 1 said, I'D like to ask you
two direct questions. What interest
have you in the matter?"
"The interest Of every investigator
of crime" he answered, smiling.
'You belong to the detective force
then?'
Il have belonged to it. At present
I'm in other employ"
".And what was your object in bring
ing me here this EVENING""
"One 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, 1 have rivalsv' he chuckled. 81
fatter myself that was rather neatly
done. Will you give me a copy of the
note, Mr.. Lester?"
"No," 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.
"I'll tell you one thing, though" l
added; 'the writer of the note knew
nothing of Rogers color blindness.
You're off the scent there"
81 am?" he asked amaZedly. ''Then
how did you know it, Mr.. Lester?"
81 suppose you detectives would call
1t deduction. 1 deduced it,
He took a contemplative puff or two
as he looked at me-
"Well," he exclaimed at last, 81 must
was mighty clever"
j Again bowed my Acknowledgements
''And that's all you can tell me?" he
added.
I'm afraid that's all.''
Every well. Thank you for that
much" and he ficked the ashes from
his cigar. ''Now, I fear that I must
leave you. I've a good deal Of work
to do, and you've opened up very
interesting line Of speculation. I as
sure you that I've passed a very pleas
ant evening. I hope you've not found
1t tiresome?''
''Quite the contrary" said heartily.
1--WE enjoyed myself immensely"
'Then I'll ask you one last favor.
Ny cab is at the door. I've no fur
ther use for it, and beg you'll drive
home in it."
I saw that he really wished 1t.
''Why, yes, certainly" assented.
"Thank you," he said.
He took me down to the door, called
the cab and shook hands with me
warmly.
"Goodby, Mr.. Lester" he said. ''I'm
glad Of the chance to have met you.
I'm not really such a mysterious in
dividual. It's merely a trick Of the
trade hope we'll meet again some
time"
$50 do l." said, and meant it.
saw him stand for moment on the
curb looking after us as we drove
away, then he turned and ran rapidly
up the steps of the elevated.
The driver seemed in no hurry to get
me home, and had plenty Of time to
think over the events Of the evening,
but I could make nothing Of them.
What result he had achieved could
not imagine. And yet he had seemed
satisfied. AS to his theory, could not
but admit that it was an. adroit one;
even mastery one-a better enc, GER
tainly, than I should have evolved un-
aided.
The cab drew up at my lodging and
sprang out, tipped the driver and ran
up the steps to the door. Ny landlady
met me on the threshold.
"Oh, Mr.. Lesterw she cried. "Such a
time as I've had this night! Every FIVE
minutes there's been somebody here
looking for you, and there's a crowd Of
, them up in your room now. I tried to
put them out, but they wouldn't go!