Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-01-06
CHAPTER XXI.
DRAWING M -.

CHAPTER XXI
DRAWING THE NET.
And now Reporter Thomas was max
Ing a determined though apparently
hopeless effort to obtain possession OF
the letter which Marion Stackhouse had
written to her husband. Not only hone
less the quest seemed. but dangerous. In
the ordinary routine OF his duties he
would unhesitatingly have rejected an
enterprise Of SO obnoxious and disagree
able nature. But the case was becom-
ing desI crate and IL was no longer a
business, no longer even a personal m
terest The mournful pleading OF the
big blue eyes Of Stella North nerved him
for the ignoble task. The remembrance
Of some tears which he had seen that
morning trembling on the long lashes
stimulated him 70 Unprecedented effort.
He was in that mood where 20 obtain
success he would stop at nothing short
Of crime. He hardly knew himself In
this new role; but he played the spy and
the sneak that day as he never played it
before or since.
II was easy enough TO assure himself
Of the existence Of the letter.
Fifteen minutes after holding confer
ence with Detective lamm at the latter's
Office. Kingman Thomas was walking
boldly 10 the desk at the Adams house.
Good morning" said the clerk. for
It was not yet noon OF this eventful
Saturday.
Good morning" said Thomas. can
you tell me whether Mr.. Stackhouse is
in the hotel?"
Not in his room" returned the clerk.
with a queer smile. His key is here"
"Curious!" said Thomas. with an as
sunni ion OF troubled reflection. Il
wonder II he's got my letter. ] wrote
him letter last night and posted IL at
Swampscott." he continued by way OF
explanation. Can you tell me whether
he has IL yet?"
The clerk took a look in the pigeon
hole marked IS" and Thomas caught a
momentary glimpse OF a square. white
envelope in his hand. But the clerk cast
1t back Immediately and turned 10 the
reporter.
There is a letter for him here with
the Swampscott postmark," he said. 1T
may be yours"
"A square, cream white envelope?"
lueried Thomas, that looks like q
piece Of woman's stationery"
yes"
"Ah. that's the one! tie hasn't got II.
Thank you"
Are you going to wait and see him?"
the clerk inquired, with another smile.
"Why?" asked Thomas. pcenting
something unusual.
only there are a dozen or so ahead
Of you; that's all. thought I'd let you
know"
Indeed And where are they an?"
'Oh, waiting about here"
Business men?"
Well, they have that look Since the
failure MIR. Stackhouse seems 10 have
been considerably in demand"
"Oh, l see"
Consequently. il it's anything impor-
tant you'd do we'll to hunt him up. as
this letter is likely 10 be here some
time"
Thomas thanked his informant AS
he turned away from the desk daring
subterfuge by which he might obtain
possession OF the letter came into his
mind, but he dismissed II with impa-
tient horror
What am / thinking of" he ex-
claimed, mentally. Forgery! Tamper-
ing with the NALL ! must season my
impetuosity with a little reason"
He sauntered out as far as the door
way, and stood there in a brown study.
No, there is nothing for me to do"
he thought, but to wait here for the
man TO claim his letter, however long
that may be. l must trust to luck and a
determined effort TO get me a glance at
it after he has read it."
The warning Of the clerk made The
outcome look dubious. These men wait
ing about here must be creditors or
business associates who had pressing
reasons TO see Stackhouse. The clerks
significant air had insinuated that the
junior partner was avoiding them. He
was not then to be found at the ONCE
0f North a. Stackhouse? Evidently not, I
Of these men would not come here to \
wait for him. Nevertheless IL his wife /
had sent the letter thither, 1t must be |
because he had directed her to do so.
a he deemed IL a matter OF so much i'm
Dortance, as John Lamm imagined. |
would he not find some way OF obtaining I
his mail without callingf
II was at the precise moment when !