Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-26
Halo. what's that? Sergeant ELI

Halo! What's that? Sergeant Eli
son? Yes. send him up"
Putting the telephone down, Ryder.
ST., rose. and crossing the room ac-
companied his son to the door.
Think it well over, jeff. Don't be
hasty."
II have thought 1t over, Sir. and l
have decided to CO."
A few moments later Jefferson left
the house.
Ryder, ST., went back to his desk
and sat for a moment in deep thought.
For the first time in his life he was
face TO face with defeat; for the first
time he had encountered a will as
strong as his own. He who could rule
parliaments and dictate to govern
ments now found himself powerless
to rule his own son. At all costs, he
unused, the boys infatuation for Judge
Rossmore's daughter must be checked,
even il he had to blacken the girls
character as well as the fathers, or.
as last resort send the entire family
out of the country. He had not lost
sight of his victim since the carefully
perpared crash in Wall Street. and the
sale of the Rossmore home following
western Mining Company. His agents
had reported their settlement in the
quiet little village on Long Island,
and ne had also learned of Miss Ross
| more's arrival from Europe, which
conceded strangely with the home-com-
Ing Of his own son. He decided, there,
fore, to keep a closer watch on Massa-
pequa now than ever, and that is why
to-day's call of Sergeant Ellison. a
noted sleuth in the government service,
found SO lcady welcome.
| The door opened, and Mr.. Bagley
entered, followed by a tall, powerfully
built man whose robust physique and
cheap looking clothes contrasted
strangely with the delicate. ultra-fash-
ionably attired English secretary.
Take seat, Sergeant" said Mr..
Ryder, cordially motioning his visitor
to chair. The man sat down ginger.
ly on one Of the rich leather-uphol
stored chairs. His manner was ner.
vous and awkward, as If intimidated
In the presence of the financier.
| care the Republican Committee still
waiting?" demanded Mr.. Ryder.
Eyes, SIR replied the secretary.
"Ill see them in q few minutes
Leave me with Sergeant Ellison"
Mr., Bagley bowed and retired.
well, Sergeant, what have you got
to report?"
He opened box of cigars that stood
on the desk and held it out to the de
teetive.
| Take a cigar" he said amiably.
The man took cigar, ard also the
match which Mr.. Ryder held out The
| financier knew how to be cordial with
4 those who would serve him.
Thanks. This is a good one" smil
ed the sleuth, shifting at the wed. eve
don't often get a chance at such as
| these"
4 1T ought to be good" laughed Ryder
They cost two dollars apiece"
The detective was SO surprised al
this unheard Of extravaganza that he
inhaled a puff Of smoke which almost
choked him. It was like burning money
i Ryder with his customary bluntness
4 came right down to business.
{ well, what have you been doins
i about the book?" he demanded Have
you, found the author of The Ameri
can Octopus'?"
4 "No, sir, have not. confess In
baffled. The secret has been vel
kept. The publishers have shut W
like a clam. There's only one thins
that I'm pretty we'll sure Of"
i whats that?" demanded Ryder
interested.
1 "That no such person as shirle.
Green exists"
i "Oh,-' exclaimed the financier, "the1
you think 1t is a mere nom de plume?'
i Eyes, sir"
"And what do you think was the rea
son for preserving the anonymity?"
well, you see, sir, the book deal
with big subject. It gives some hare
!, knocks. and the author, no doubt, fel
a little timid about launching it unde
his or her real name. At least that
my theory, sir
| "And a good one, no doubt" sal,
: Mr.. Ryder. Then he added: "Tha
makes me all the more anxious t,
find out who it is. I would Willing
J give this moment a check for $500
to know who wrote it. Whoever it is
; knows me as well as | know myself
We must find the author"
The sleuth was silent for a moment
I, Then he said:
"There might be one way to reacl
the author, but it will be successful
) only in the event of her being willin
to be known and come out into tn
open. Suppose you write to her Il
: care of the publishers. They woul
> certainly forward the letter to whel
ever she may be. If she does no
, want you to know who she
5 she will ignore you letter and renal
$ in the background. If, on the cor
A trary, she has no fear of you, and i
willing to meet you. she will answe
: the letter"
"Ah, never thought of that!" Q,
u claimed Ryder, Its a good idea. L.
5 write such a letter at once. 1t sha
t go tonight"
II He unlocked the telephone and ash
J, ed Mr., Bagley to come up. A fe'
= seconds later the secretary entered tn
room.
+ "Bagley,' said Mr.. Ryder, "I wan
L you to write a letter for me to Mis-
Shirley Green, author of that boo
The American Octopus We will az
q dress 1t care of her publishers, LITTLE