The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-10-18
A STORY OF


room to get it. More than that, he
must have hunted for 1t or known It
was there, because it vas in the shadow
behind the radiator. 1t couldn't be
seen unless one looked for tive tried
it,"
Godfrey paused to consider.
Did o give these points to Gold
berg he asked.
NO. I didn't think it would help
matters any: besides. 1 didn't want to
put Miss Croydon On her guard"
"Of course-though all this doesn't
actually implicate her."
NO; but 1t shows she knows more
than she's told u.s. said Simmonds
doggedly. II don't think she's been
square with u.s.
Godfrey did not permit any trace of
his inward perturbation to appear on
his countenance: nevertheless he was
seriously disturbed. He had hoped that
40 n but himself would suspect Miss
Croydon's lack of frankness. He felt
should have been more careful; she
should have foreseen that the clippings
would be traced to her. She vas rely
ing too much on his -forebearance. He
must do his best to control Simmonds.
We'll, perhaps she hasn't" he said
slowly. after a moment: but maybe
she's not much to blame for that, after
all. Anyway, Yves got to work at the
case from the other end We've got to
identify Thompson first"
Yes" agreed Simmonds: that's our
best hold. You'll let me know IL you
find out anything?"
"Of course" said Godfrey, rising. and
with n curt nod he went out and down
he steps to the street.
AT the office he found two reports
awaiting him. One was from the men
found no one who could identify the
photograph of Thompson. The other
was from Delaney, the head of the Rec
ord's Intelligence department. At 2
o'clock that morning. just before retir-
ing, Godfrey had 'phoned a message to
the office:
"Delaney-I want all the information
obtainable concerning the history OF the
Croydon family. to which Mrs. Richard
Delroy and Grace Croydon belong"
This was the result:
"Gustave Croydon, notary and money
lender, No. II Rue d'Antin. Paris, re-
moved with his wife and young daugh-
ter about 1878 to Beckenham. just south
of London, England. Why he removed
from France o known. Rue d'Antin
has been completely rebuilt within last
ySoiS LAA0 III PSlSOll lIlSIC llOW
who remembers Croydon is an DID no
tary named Fabre. who has an office at
the crner of Rue st. Augustin. He
has vague memory that Croydon left
Franco to avoid criminal prosecution of
some sort.
"Crcydon bought small country place
near Beckenham and lived there quiet
ly In semi-retirement: Fortune appar-
entity not large. In 1891, mortgaged es-
tate for $4,000; mortgage paid in 1897.
Religion, Catholic. Excellent reputation
at Beckenham.
Eldest daughter, Edith. born in
France, August 26. 1874. Educated at
school there, but broke down from over
study and returned to Bohemian,
where she became interested in social
settlement work. Their met Richard
Delroy. New York. who was making in
vestigation of London charities. Mar
ried him June 6, 1900. and went imme-
diately to New York.
"Only other child, Younger daughter
Grace. born at B~eckenham, Nav ~,
1880. Educated at home. No unusual
incidents in life, so far as known.
Croydon n wife died, typhoid fever,
1901. Delroys came to England. and,
after selling property and settling es-
tate took Grace home with them. Es-
tate. left wholly to younger sister, paid
inheritance tax on f7.5O0."
Godfrey read this through SLOWLY
dwelling upon it point by point.
THE skeleton" he said to himself
lis pretty plain-it lies concealed some.
where behind Croydon's departure from
France. There must have been some
unusual reason for that-a reason more
serious. perhaps. than this threatened
prosecution-the clippings would tel
the story.
But is it worth while trying to dis
1t up? 1t wouldn't be a difficult thinf
to do if the newspapers handled it n
the time; but l don't know" and h,
stared out through his window witt
drawn brows. IF it's buried again.
believe I'll let it rest-for the present
anyway" nj he whirled back to hi.
desk.
He wrote the story of the days de.
velopments and turned it in.
We've been lucky" said the cit,
editor. with a gleeful smile, as he tool
the copy. We've got photographs o
all the principals"
Have we?"
"Yes-they cost $500, but They're
worth 1t. No other paper in town viii
have EN-"
That's good" said Godfrey, but i
was a half-hearted commentator
and he left the Office in a frame O
mind not wholly amiable. The meth
DDS Of a popular newspaper are not al
ways above %reproach.
THANK heaven he added to him
self, his face clearing q little. there
nothing in my story to implicate eithe
Miss Croydon or Mrs. Delroy-there'
no hint of the skeleton! 1 took care o
that-which." he concluded. with