Mexico Missouri message., 1906-04-05
ia logIcal b preanrna fron 10. tnat

BSuuuS huulIdllOhs OloNpAB eAN tN'N |
like you, Thomas. OF course we can |
think of hundreds Of reasons why
North might have knocked down his
partner, whose advice had ruined Hmm
for North was steady enough before
he came under Stackliouse's influence
or why ne should have knocked |
down an importunate gentleman who
might have been trying to deceive his
daughter"
Precisely" agreed Thomas.
"And then" said Lamm, slowly,
you throw The idea of a most deHb-
crate and cuEningly-laid conspiracy of
murder for security and revenge out
of the question"
Conspiracy" echoed Thomas.
Conspiracy" said John LamE
Thomas looked like a doubtful man
who would be very glad to become
convinced.
EYES," said John Lamm, in a tone
of deep conviction. 81 am willing to
stake my professional reputation at
this stage Of the case on the prediction
that this murder of North is con-
spiracy-either for running L.ackhouse
or for revenge upon Paul North"
"And-the girl is In it," murmured
Thomas. apprehensively.
Certainly, the girl is in 1t. To be
sure the girl is in it. You can't alter
that fact to save your life. For good,
bad or Indifferent purposes--Marion
Stackhouse planned. the game. Whose
hand carried it out 1 won't say at this
time; but am convinced of one thing
it originated in her mind"
why, John Lamm? Why?" de-
manded Thomas, aghast.
Because l always look to the char
acter of the person to correspond to
the nature Of the crime There is no
body else in this little coterie capable
Of originating a crime, so cunningly
conceived, so admirably executed"
what do you mean?"
What do mean?" asked the de-
tective. Good heavens, Thomas,
where are your eyes? Can't you see
that in every step we have taken we
have been baffied, misled, made fools
Of? Do you imagine Paul North would
have gone to his town house, shut up
as 1t was for the summer, unless he
had been enticed there? The writing
Of Stackhouse's name on the wall
proves conclusively to my mind that
Stackhouse did not do it. Why, how
1 absurd it is! The medical examiner
gives $50 seconds as a limit to North's
life after he was shot. Do you sup
pose If Stackhouse had shot him he
would have run away before assuring
himself that he was dead? Would he
have let North write his name on the
wall? If North had done it, wouldn't
he have smeared it out again? Why
of course he would. And in this name
upon the wall is the animus of the
whole matter. There we see the fangs
and the teeth of the serpent. The
bitter, deadly enmity that uuderlieS
the whole scheme. That the entire OBJ
ject was revenge upon Stackhouse
do not believe. It is too roundabout
and too dangerous a method of re
venge; but that the perpetrators Of the
deed hated that man-why, the fact i;
as clear as sunlight. Now, who hate.
Stackhouse? Who on the day of tn,
discovery Of the crime drove him from
her side, from the house, knowing full
we'll, nay, triumphantly welcoming thu
fact in so many words-that such al
act would only deepen the suspicion
, about him? Who, with Paul Nortl
alive, was not free to meet the maj
she really loved; and who, Paul Nortl
dead, and Stackhouse out of the way
might reunite herself with her guilt,
lover? Who, for no cause but one tina
under such circumstances we can un
derstand. flies into a passion of ange
at the remonstrance of an innocen
girl, and is so excited by the impend
ing crime that she cannot keep hersel
away from the scene?"
"Stop! Don't go ont"
Thomas had risen and was holdin
up his hand. There was somethin
horrible even to this veteran in tn
merciless arraignment of the sister O
the woman he had protected. 1t Nigh
|, be true. John. Lamm was the shrewd
est of shrewd men; but he would nc
believe 1t until he had all the proof
% before him.
al tell you, Lamm," he declared.
: will not believe that woman planne
: that murder as long as there is
!, chance In the world for q REASONABLE
: doubt. And I can show"
There was rattle at the door har
die.
cts my man, Bill" said the dete,
= tive, "back again from Swampscott.
He unlocked the door,
"And what has her ladyship to one
to-day"
: "This."
The messenger placed a letter /
John Lamm's hand The detectiy
broke the seal and read It eagerl,
"See," he said. passing It to Thoma
'it's from my little parlor maid ,
i Swampscott."
u The reporter perused the missive
II his turn. With little editing it woul
, have read as follows: