Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21

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ing Machine finished for him. Now who the
men. Tell me about her love affairs?'
:" 1t hasn't appeared yet that there was love
affair in the sense you mean. At least, if there
no one knew of it.
Doesn't the maid Goodwin know" insisted the
scientist.
She SAYS she doesn't"
g But somebody sent the rose. The fact
that she received the dozen times indicates
that some was interested IN her. Therefore, who
was it? Who?"
That's what the police trying to find out
now"
The Thinking Machine rose suddenly picked up
his hat and planted it aggressvely his enormous
yellow head. I'm going to the florists, he said
You get the peach and see the maid Goodwin
Meet at police headquarters in an hour
1t required ten minutes for The Thinking Machine
to reach the florist shop and in five minutes more
the manager at liberty.
All want know, the scientist explained, is
the day you sent the first of that dozen to Miss
Burdock, and l should like to your records of
delivery. That is, when package is delivered
either by your wagon or by messenger you get a
receipt for it? Yes. l should like to see those
please.
The letter with the Enclosure received on
June 80 he explained as he ran his finger down
the book. 1t came in the morning mail. June I6
Monday therefore the first of the dozen was
sent that afternoon, Monday"
Are you absolutely certain of that demanded
The Thinking Machine. IA persons lite may
depend on that record
The manager stared at him in frank astonish-
ment, then Il can make sure" he said. He
q
delivery receipt book, and futtered the leaves
through his fingers At last he laid it before The
Thinking Machine and indicated an entry with his
finger There it is" he said; Monday
June 6, at five-thrty in the afternoon. The 81
book was signed by Edna Burdock in person
See" 49,
The Thinking Machine squinted down at
the entry for a minute more in silence. From
that date forward sent every Monday,
Wednesday, and Saturday without break until the
dozen We're delivered?' he asked last
Yes; that the direction Run through the
book the dates it should have been sent and see
if you like
minutes engrOssed in the record. These
slips" he inquired, as he looked up Il find three
of them. 3"
Those were occasions when we didn't happen to
have a wagon going in that direction, the manager
explained; so the box sent by special mes
senger. Each messenger took receipt and returned
it here. In that way those receipts become part
of our record
The Thinking Machine scrutinized the slips
fully made note Of the dates on them, then closed
the record book That seemed to be all. Fifteen
minutes later Plympton Burdock father of the
dead girl received card from servant glanced at
it, nodded, and The Thinking Machine ushered
L should not have disturbed YOU believe me, if
the necessity for it had not been pressing in the
terest of justice, the scientist apologlzed. lust
questions, please"
Burdock regarded the little curlousy and
motioned to a seat.
First" began The Thinking Machine. was your
daughter engaged to be married at the time of her
No. replied Burdock.
She did receive attention, however,
Certainly All girls of her age do Really, Mr.
Mr." and he glanced the card,-"Mr. Van
Dusen this matter IS entirely beyond discussion
We believe, my wife and l, that death due to
natural causes, and have informed the police. |
hope 1t may go no further.
The Thinking Machine looked him sharply with
The investigation won't stop now, Mr.. Burdock,"
he said cOldly. II don't know your object n-in