The Cairo bulletin., 1910-11-30
IheMicroscopiist
BY ELIZABETH WEED
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association,


before becoming engaged to MIR. Alsop
and since the writing looks very like
yours disguised you are naturally I'M
der suspicion of having written the
note"
| The lady paused as IL waiting for
| the gentleman to make denial.
Have you anything to say?" she
added.
You have stated the charge" he
said, ''and have given reason why /
am suspected of this underhanded act.
Have you other reasonsY
mo. 1t seems that this, unless it
can be explained, Is sufficient"
'Please let me see the note"
Miss Kershaw had it In her hand
and offered 1t to him.
"One moment" he said
He had removed his gloves ON enter
ing the house and before taking the en-
yelope In Which the note was incosed
put them on; then he held out his hand
for it. Miss Kershaw drew back.
"Will you please explain why you
put on your gloves?" she asked.
He who touches pitch will be de-
fled" he replied.
What do you mean by that?"
Il mean that there is something
noxious about an anonymous letter,
and I don't want to touch it,
She looked at him with puzzled ex-
preston. then handed him the note.
Removing 1t from the envelope, he
scanned 1t, put 1t back and handed it
to Miss Kershaw. Then he removed
his gloves and put them in his pocket.
"WellT said the girl
II know who wrote the note"
"How? Who?
II know 1t by reference 1t contains
to something Of which only one person
except myself knows. As to who wrote
it, If were to tell you you would not
believe me-"
Il have never doubted your word
|, "Not in anything pertaining to my
self or you. have never accused any
one TO you. II were to do so now
you would be confirmed in your opin-
ion that ! wrote the note"
He arose as IL to take leave.
you're surely not going to leave
the matter In this unsatisfactory posi-
ton. are your
I'm trying to get out Of it might
get into worse one"
please cease these enigmas; speak
plainly"
He thought a moment, then said:
"If were not confident that the per-
son / suspect wrote that note you
would have TO remain in ignorance.
AS 1t is VIII try to prove the writer.
Tomorrow morning ! viii call again.
Meanwhile please collect samples OF
the handwriting notes-of those with
whom you have recently correspond
ed
Miss Kershaw promised to do as he
asked. Her curiosity was excited to
know his plan of procedure. There
were only few persons from whom
she had recently received mIssives, but
what letters she got she put In a
Renwick was young man OF
scientific turn of mind. bis hobby be
ing microscopy. The next evening he
made his call with box under his
arm. Miss Kershaw looked at 1t and
wondered what it might be. When he
had removed his overcoat he opened
the box and brought ont his micro
scope. Placing 1t on table, he lighted
the lamp connected with 1t; then. TAX
ing minute pair Of tongs used for
handling objects intended for examina-
ton. he picked UP the envelope contain
ing the anonymous note and fixed 1t I'M
der the glasses of his instrument When
he had adjusted the focus he invited
Miss Kershaw to have peep. She
saw certain curved lines In the field
of view.
"Those are the thumb marks" he
said, "the person who wrote the note
left on the envelope"
Miss Kershaw was interested.
Renwick then removed the note and
substituted one he had written him
self. Again he invited Miss Kershaw
to look. She saw different curves.
She saw at once that they were not
the marks of the person who had writ
ten the anonymous note. She gave a
deep drawn sigh Of relief.
whoever wrote that note" said
Renwick, did a very good job. He
has initiated my writing just enough
to make 1t appear that the chirogra-
ply Is mine with an attempt at dis
guise'
"Who did write it?'
There were notes before Renwick
written by Eve other persons besides
himself. He successfully substituted
four of these notes and showed Miss
Kershaw thar none Of the four had
handled the anonymous note. The
fifth note on the table was from Mr..
Edward Alsop.
"If you are content" said Renwick,
Sin knowing that neither l nor any
one Of these other four correspondents
wrote that scnrrious note we Will go
no further. The remaining note Is
from your betrothed."
She looked at him, paleness grad.
ually coming over her face. With a
trembling hand she picked up Alsop's
letter and inserted 1t In the place for
the slide. The curves correspondent
with those she had seen on the anony-
nous note.