The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-16

ed Spaulding, that I thougnr she
/ should be turned of. though had no
/ idea that she was as bad as this
/ Il don't like TO think 1t even now"
4 said Nixon. Even in spite of what |
i have seen l cannot believe it of her"
Yet he summoned Ruth TO his office
and IN gentle tones told her that she
would have to go. He was not disposed
to explain for a moment, but she was
tearfuIly persistent, and finally the
whole story came out.
Jackson looked anxiously toward her
as she came out of the office and as
soon as the door closed came toward
her Brokenly she told him OF the
charge that had been made and of her
inability to refute it.
Il have used my mirror a lot she
confessed. Any girl in an office would
want to look neat. But you know,
Harry, that l would not do such a
thing"
Il know he admitted. But there
must be something to it or Mr.. Nixon
would not have been convinced There
is a mystery here somewhere"
Now it's all spoiled" she sobbed,
our marriage and my career--every-
thing
Not if 1 know It," he said savagely.
Don't you worry. ''I'n find something
out"
A little later he slipped from the of,
fee. He had been gone several minutes
when the telephone bell rang. Nixon
had come out into the Office to see the
bookkeeper, and he picked up the re-
ceiver.
IT'S Jackson talking" he said after
a moment. He wants you to turn off
that fan, Miss Coddington."
Ruth reached up and turned off the
electric fan that was whirring over her
head and went on with her writing. A
moment later Jackson dashed into the
office.
IF you will come with me" he said
to his employer, ''Tll show you the real
explanation Of those flashes. Please
come"
He stopped a moment at Ruth's desk,
+ then led Nixon out into the hall. Like
Spaulding he went to the empty Office
on the other side of the building. The
q Photograph flashes were still sending
their mute signals, but in a moment
they stopped. Presently they began
again, and again ceased. This was re-
peated several times when Harry turn
ed to his companion.
you know that fan over Miss Cod
dingtcn's desk? It's one of the sort
that swings back and forth to keep
the air moving. That flash is caused
4 by the back of the fan. There's a
brass screw that catches the sun ana
makes the flash when 1t comes into
the sunlight The moment Miss Cod
dington turns off the fan the signals
stop. That's the whole explanation of
the mystery"
But the leakage of the informa-
tion?" persisted the troubled Nixon.
"That does not account for that"
II can show you what does" was
the jubilant answer. II worked In an
electrical place once, and l got the
idea there. Your telephone wires, like
the rest, run around the building, be
| cause this place was built before the
| idea of interior conduits for wires was
developed. They all run around the
| building until they come to the lower
| corner, and then they join the cable
/ that runs down to the street conduit
| All the Hennings people had to do was
i to tap your private wire to the ex
change and get the whole thing. They
got some outside man to do the tap
ping Every message you send to the
street comes in here
Nixon leaned out and verified thu
= fact Then he turned to Harry.
= 'I Think he said, that by sending
false messages over the wire for
:, few days we can recoup our losses
- Then we will have Hennings arrested
~ It's a criminal offense, believe"
- lie turned and led the way back t
: his own Office. Ruth looked up anx
&c iously as they entered.
g my dear Miss Coddington," he said
.ir with old fashioned courtesy, It have t
beg your pardon for even suspectin
or you" He clasped her hand warml
ID and turned to the bookkeeper.
at Miss Coddington and Mr.. jackson
Id are going to take next week and tn
an week after for their honeymoon trip,
III he said. ''Please make them out
90 check for a thousand as a weddin
OF present from the firm. No, don't than
a me-" he went on as Ruth sprang fol-
ey ward "Send me a piece of the wee
ding cake; that's ALL"
ed |
80 THE NFssaoI Thruah