Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-10-25
CHAPTER xxxlv.
The Odds and Ends,

nat night TO SOuth America, OF the
recovery of over 100000 in cash
and securities in the safe from the
chimney room-the papers have kept
he public we'll informed. OF my share
n discovering the secret chamber
hey have been singularly silent. The
nner history has never been told. Mr..
Jameson got all kinds of credit, and
tome of 1t he deserved, but II Jack
Bailey, as Alex, had not traced Halsey
Ind insisted on the disinterring of
Paul Armstrong; casket. if he had
lot suspected the truth from the
start, where would the detective have
been?
When Haisey learned the truth, he
insisted on going the next morning,
weak as he was, to Louise. and by
night she was at Sunnyside, under
3ertrudes particular care. while her
mother had gone to Barbara F1tz-
lugh's.
What Halsey said to Mrs. Arm
Itrong never knew, but that he was
.onsiderate and chivalrous feel con-
ident. 1t was Halsey's way always
with women.
He and Louise had no conversation
together until that night. Gertrude
ind Alex mean Jack-had gone for
walk, although it was nine o'clock,
ind anybody but pair of young geese
would have known that dew was fall
ng, and that it is next to impossible
o get rid of summer cold
At half after nine, growing weary
" my own company, 1 went down
;tairs to find the young people. At
he door of the living room / paused.
Gertrude and Jack had returned and
I we're there. sitting together on a
Ivan, with only one lamp lighted.
they did not see or hear me, and I
,eat a hasty retreat to the library.
I But here again I was driven back.
louise was sitting in a deep chair,
ooking the happiest had ever seen
Ter, with Halsey on the arm Of the
hair, holding her close.
The next day, By degrees, I got the
Whole story.
Paul Armstrong had q besetting
vil-the love Of money. Common
nough, but he loved money, not for
that it would buy. but for its own sake.
IN examination Of the books showed
70 irregularities in the past year
ince John had been cashier, but be-
ore that, in the time of Anderson. the
Id cashier, who had died, much
TRANCE Juggling had been done with
he records. The railroad in New
[exico had apparently drained the
anker's private fortune, and he de.
srmined to retrieve it by one stroke.
his was nothing less than the loot
lg Of the banks securities, turning
lem into money, and making his es-
ape.
But the law has long arms. Paul
rmstrong evidently studied the sitaa-
on carefully. Just as the only good
ldian is a dead Indian, so the only
,fe defaulter is dead defaulter He
ecided to die, to oil appearances, and
hen the hue and cry subsidized, he
ould be able to enjoy his money al
ost anywhere he wished.
The first necessity was an accom-
ice. The connivance Of DR.. Walker
as suggested by his love for Louise.
he man was INSCRIPTIONS, and with
e girl as a bait, Paul Armstrong
on had him fast. The plan was ap-
.rently the acme of simplicity: A
aall town in the west, an attack OF
art disease, a bGAy from medical
llege dissecting room shipped in a
nnk to DR.. Walker by colleague in
IN Francisco, and palmed of for the
pposed dead barker. What was
npler?
The woman, Nina Darlington, was
cog that slipped. What she only
spected, what she really knew, we
yer learned. She was a chamber.
aid in the hotel at c., and 1t was
identity her intention to blackmail
Walker. His position at that time
IS uncomfortable: To pay the WON
to keep quiet would be confession
denied the whole thing, and she
mt to Halsey.
1t was that that had taken Halsey
the doctor the night he disap
AIRED. He accused the doctor of the
,eption. and, crossing the lawn, had
ID something cruel to Louise. Then
'ious at her apparent connivance
had started for the station, DR.
alker and Paul Armstrong-the lat
still lame where had shot him
FRIED across to the embankment
tain only of one thing. Halsey must
/ tell the detective what ne sus
tied until the money had been re
we'd from the chimney room. They
pped into the road in front of the
to stop it, and fate played into
ir hands. The car struck the train
they had only to dispose of the
conscious figure in the road. This
" did as have told. For three
rs Halsey lay in the box car, tiet
i'd and foot, suffering fortunes Of
rst, delirious at times, and discov
ID by tramp at townsville only IL
< lie to save his life.
70 go back to Paul Armstrong. Al
8. last moment his. plans had beer
strated. Sunnyside. with its hoard
the chimney room. had been rented
.hout his knowledge! Attempts tt
lodge me having failed, he wal
ven to breaking into his own house
9 ladder in the chute. the burning
the stable and the entrance through
cardroom window-all were In tn,
lrse of desperate attempt to ge
.-~-- o the chimney room.
louise and her mother had, from
first, been the great stumbling
cks. The plan had been to sent