Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-14

lively new. and had but few papers in II.
Evidently 1t had not been long used
me nrst letters of the alphabet car
tled morning between their leaves. "N"
was made. It proved to be a notification
from A. Norcross. 9Th avenue. New
YORK to the effect that q man answer
ing TO requirements left by Mr.. Somhers
Y. 1892 (Which was five months before
Mr.. Somhers' decease), at which time
MI. Somhers could see the man at MIR.
Norcross' place.
At the moment this had no significance
70 U.s. Its only importance to our eyes
then was that it was one Of few letters
!! apparently deemed by Mr.. Somhers OF
sufficient value or interest to preserve.
The letter IS" the only other letter
under which filing appeared, proved rich
In material for there were three letters
from Philander Summerfield!
We observed the dates and read them
IN the order OF their writing. have
| them before me as ! pen these words and
| will give them verbatim:
New York
Mr.. Peter Somhers. winton.
Dear Sir: II you will meet me At q
time and place that you will please name,
shall be able to give you a report of
| the nrst experiment. which, I think, will
| prove entirely satisfactory to you.
DeIerT1ng to your request that I pre-
sent my reports verbally. rather than on
appeared to be under complete delusion
as TO my real identity the necessity OF q
speedy conference with you will he ap-
parent to you. Respectfully yours,
"PHILANDER SCMMERFIEfD."
What is the meaning of this" raid
Milbrath. sternly. taking the letter from
my hand. This gives the impression
that uncle was involved In some shady
transaction. 1 can hardly credit that
What have the other letters to say?"
New York
Mr.. Peter Somhers. Winton.
Dear Sir: / have considered your Sec
ond proposal, and after due consideration
am prepared to accept the conditions and
the remuneration you offered. Kindly
appoint time and place where we may
confer as to the necessary details. Re-
"PiILANDER sUMMERFIELD"
THE other" said MiIbrath. tersely, with
knit brows.
The third letter, like the two that pre-
coded it, was signed by Philander Sum-
merfield and began in the same formal
way.
las per your instructions" it ran. II
Will arrive in Beverly on Thursday. Oc-
tober %"
Good heavens.' interrupted Milbrath.
1.-The day Of the murder! Summerfield is
our man them
This seems proof. Let me read on"
Il will arrive as on the former occa-
sion and will enter by the private way"
opening a folded sheet. "Whew! 1t looks
like contract. And 1t is one. by lingo.
Now We shall know. perhaps. what the
old fellows were up tor
Milbrath leaned eagerly over my shoul-
der as 1 read aloud:
Beginning on this day. Thursday. Oc-
tober Il, 1892. /, Philander Symmetrical.
formerly and to date residing at -
street. New York city, In consideration OF
sums Of money previously paid by check
and in consideration of the further pay
ment at the end of twelve months of
| twenty thousand dollars by Peter Som
hers Of Winton, state of --. do agree
to impersonate said Peter Somhers to the
best of my knowledge and ability appear
ing TO be him during the next twelve
months. (Signed)
'PHILANDER SUMMERFIELD.'
Pinned to this remarkable document
was a sheet of paper similar i'm size and
written by the same hand, unquestion-
ably by Mr.. Somhers:
Il. Peter SOmhers Of the town of VIM
ton. state of do hereby agree to
pay to Philander Summerffeld, formerly
and to date residing at - street.
; New York city. the sum of twenty thou
sand dollars over and above thirty thou
sand dollars already paid by me I'm check.
for a faithful impersonation of me during
one year, or for such "A portion of one
year as I see fit to demand the mas
to be paid Immediately upon the release
tract. (Signed)
PETER SOMHERS."
(To be continued tomorrow