The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-06-20
| III INV TIE TIL BLoTrER
Cronkite Goes Masquerading and
Delayed Marriage
Takes Place.

I.
This is my man Cronkits Of whom
VAS speaking, Mrs. Melohior,' said Judge
Jssiah Nlarcellus. sit down, Abe; there
hwork for you to do
The elegant, middle aged lady scanned
the detective critically through her
glasses.
HE might do as a house guest on
ninch.- she assented obviously. but there
are very decent places in the vicinity
.Bless my soul, madam. 1t Is on account
Of the pinch, the cruel pinch Of circum.
dances, that he must do" returned the
Judge. Listen. Abe. this is the oase in
snutshell:
-Eunice Melchior. Mrs. Melchior's step.
child, was to have been married last even
ins at their place up the river to Chester
Waite. Yates that likely young lawyer
who has an Office in this very building.
He came to town about two years ago from
the far West. where his friends and kim
dred still remain.
THE wedding was 70 be a quiet affair
On account of Mr.. Melchior's recent death
-only few intimate friends, you under
stand, who are staying there. Well,
Waite didn't show up.
He hasn't been zen or heard from; ne
can't be found. singularly enough, just
prior to the time set. Eunice, ar impress
donable. sensitive girl, had a premonition
Of evil. She suddenly grew faint
she frightened her maid, who was dress
ine her. 30 that she ran screaming through
the house, and thus every one knew" Mrs.
Melchior explained. but"
Exactly; and Mrs. Melchior. with her
usual resourcefulness, turned this alarm
to advantage e.
She announced that owing to Eunice's
condition the ceremony was postponed
for a week, that the bridegroom had been
caught by telephone en- route In his auto
mobile and turned back. Oh. it was clev-
srly managed. there isn't the rumor Of a
doubt OF him; but this young man must
b forthcoming, you know. IN the I'D
journed day
But why house question a pinch''
asked Cronkite coolly.
Because Eunice declares that Waite
has been in the neighborheod for the last
xeek, that they met in the grounds the
night before through some romantic
nonsense or other. tits there that search
must be made. There are shooting
lodges near by where strangers may
put up
Then, sir, why don't you yourself go
a guest to the house while I browse
around in the vicinity and see you oc-
casionally on business, as any clerk might.
without the possibility Of arousing any
suspicion through the tightness Of the
pinch?'
Thus II was finally settled, the Judge
reinforcing his man as Dor as he per-
ceived that Mrs. Melohior by polite in
directions was opposing the plan.
because she doubted your gentility.'
laughed the Judge when the two were
alone. very likely on account Of some Of
the tussles she has had with me. her hus-
bands attorney and friend, she wasn't
ing In what you suspect you suspect. Go
ahead now to your browsing. I'll take
the evening train up and you can report
at any time
Likely enough Cronkite was piqued
by Mrs. Melchior's arrogance, for a self
made man is ever keenly alive to his own
respectability; but he had graver rea-
chior's death and testamentary dispose
tons, alike singular. which joined In actu-
ating him to an unusual course.
He had a friend named Timothy Dole
with whom he was wont to smoke on even
ings OF leisure. a stupid. silent, stolid man.
thoroughly devoted. Through admira-
rnaapahla rrNnkifa in nAnnar and dpnoo
even as he resembled him In person.
Cronkite therefore now 9 Dole up
the river TO stay 1t a shooting lodge in his
stead, convinced that IL Mrs. Melchior
should try TO lead him astray, as it seemed
she might have planned to do TO himself
when inviting him TO be a house guest:
he might learn tho false from Dole, and
thus be the clearer in seeking the true
in his own way. Dole then being primed
and placed, Cronkite paid a secret visit
To the office Of Chester Waite.
The young lawyers practice was still
small, requiring only a stenographer's
aid. Most OF his income was derived
and scant order that prevailed aided the
detectives search.
From knowing where not to look he
little drawer OF the roiltop' desk was a
package Of letters marked Personal
and bound together by a rubber band.
To the bottom OF this band chung q shred
Of paper as il the undermost letter had
been pulled out hurriedly. Moreover.
4 close examination Of the fresh blotter
pad in the desk showed marks, slight but
sgnifcant. Of a feverish pressure.
Some one has been here before me-
unused Cronkite as he started to seek the
tue in his " way.
II.
Before Judge Marcellus had been at
the house a day he found himself en-
gagged in one OF those half amicable tus-
sles which had marked his relations with
the widow. of his client.
Very pleasant young people you have
stopping here, my dear madam he was
saying, with one notable exception.
| don't fancy hat portly man with the
gold spectaoles and English beard and
confident way who arrived last night.
He's some sort Of banker. let him tell II.
What's his manner ! don't care to charge
my memory with it.
There was patent a~ntagonism In the
pose OF the lady's we'll set UP figure. there
was latent alarm behind her placid, inn
mobile face, which Joined in betokening