Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-17
The Altenburg Case.
By GEORGE DYRE ELDRIDGE.
COPYRIGHT 1902 GEORGE EI.DRIDGE


that somebody wanted him out of the
way
II don't know.
NO. I don't suppose you do. but toll
mo what YOU do know. and perhaps III
find it there. even il YOU don't Traf-
ford had found in Beckwith AT times
some OF The qualities that made himself
detective. Their presence always awoke
in him a sense Of riyalsllip. and ne f"lt
il now. II the man was bent on step
ping outside his own field he might as
Nell show him a once NOW weak no
was. For instance. there was tho bit
tcrest kind Of quarrel between Alfen-
burg and this nephew Of his. What wax
il about? There isn't much To tell In
this paper.
Twould nc scanialous to put II IN
such a statement under the Cfrcuu-
stances of this tragedy" responded Beck
with
Trafford's somewhat heavy face showed
just a touch of satisfaction. II required
no great shrewdness to guess tine fact he
had stated. but ii was something To
know that he was right. and TO know -
from the man who. he already felt. was
pittins himself against him for some pIr-
pose or other.
NO. but / want 10 know all about
that quarrel. and the circuma ances oc
the tragedy make such a statement eN-
ceedingly fitting. not to say NECESSARY.
It's a relief to young Caiden that his
uncle is out of The way. Well stick =
pin there and keep il in sight for tho
present. Evidently. too. the family IS
Altenburg's heirs and If reports are trua
they'll come in for a considerable amount
Of money that'n not be unwelcome.
There's possibly something special for
which they want it. and while the sister
Is naturally shocked at the violent death
of her brother, ami in r. way may "e
sorry, and the daughter with a young
girls sensitveness. is almost ready to
think kindly of him. young Calden sim
ply yields to the demands of decency.
but wouldn't have the thing undone.
want to get at the root of this and get
at it quick
Beckwith picked up the printed slip
and read it. as If II were something ha
had never seen before. Then he turned
a curious look on Trafford.
You find all that in this statementr'
mo. not all of it, but good confirma-
ton of the part that isn't there. I'm sat
isfied you knew it all when YOU wrote
the document Itself.
told people anything. Perhaps you find
ground here for guessing that young
Calden committed the murder" the law
Yer muttered. more with the air of ask
ing himself question than of propound-
ing a suggestion to the other
Trafford sprang to his feet with more
show of Impotence than he ever allowed
himself. excepting for an assured pur-
pose
i've scarcely guessed that murder
has been committed he said. brusauely.
That isn't the way | work. l want
facts. not guesses. l want Horace CAL
denis statement, and I've come to YOU be-
cause, as his attorney, you're entitled TO
hear him give it to me. You know
there are men who wouldn't have done
that in my place. But IL shant he said
I've treated him unfairly. unless You
force me TO. and i'm that case it'll be YOU
and not me. When will he meet me hero
at your office?
I'll frd out" replied Beckwith, going
to the telephone. with give me eight
four two"
$50 the telephones working again. IS
it, demanded Trafford.
Beckwith took the connection as an ex-
cuse for not answering. When he had
finished talking he turned to Trafford
with the information that the latter had
already caught.
AT ? this afternoon"
You'll do well to impress him with tho
need of frankness." suggested Trafford-
It'll save time-and bother
(To be continued tomorrow