Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-10
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. Summerheld Eludes.

When ! reached Boston on the follow
ing day I had no difficulty In finding Mil
| brath, for he stood in the door of the
Parker House, his face full OF excite
You look as IL you'd had the time Of
| your life." i said. What's up?'
I've seen your Summerfield and he led
me chase. 1 can tell you!" He laughed
somewhat ruefully as he added: I'll
myself an ass
THAT. no doubt is a matter of opinion.
How did you reach the conclusion
why. ] followed the old chap and
but to start at the beginning I opened
my operations this morning with visit
to the deposit vault, where l looked over
a box full Of papers that were turned
over TO me by the executors Of uncle 8
will. 1t contained mortgages and bonds.
insurance policies and signed notes prin-
cipally. on none OF which I found the
name of Philander Summarized. There
were two checks made to him, however,
and here they are
Milbrath produced them. and before
they were in my hands l recognized on
their backs the small, cramped hand
writing that Murray Kilbourne was the
first to declare assumed the Endorsement
Of "'Philander III. Summerfield." His Sec
ond initial he had not given to me. but
the two persons were undoubtedly the
same.
This is Mr. Somhers' hand?" I asked,
indicating the face of the check.
Milbrath assented.
/ drew forth q bill receipfed by -. A.
Rice. NJ. D., Beacon street, Boston,, for
services rendered Mr.. Francis Somhers
from January. to September. 1S-, to
which was pinned the voucher for the
check given at that time by Mr.. Peter
Somhers in payment Of the bill. and COM
pared the writing on the two checks.
They were written by the same hand,
and although an interval OF Yeas lay be-
tween their dates there was no appre-
ciable change in the chirography. In
both cases II was upright and firm.
Your uncle retained an extraordinarily
like the writing of an even-tempered
man"
''Uncie Peter was scarcely that. but ne
rarely displayed temper to any one but
me. Now. here Is another check that be-
cause Of it's size may interest you
1t was made to Albert Emerson. and
was for ten thousand dollars. IL showed
deposit in the First National Bank of
Boston and was drawn on May >. ls:c
five months before Mr.. Somhers death.
1T would be interesting to know for
what services these large checks were
given,'' l remarked. But how did you
get at Summerfeld?'
81 went from the deposit vaults to the
post once. hoping to learn something
there about the old gentleman. but
made no headway. took look at box
94O, and saw letter there plainly ad-
dressed to Philander Summerfield. IL was
postmarked New York four days ago.
That seemed proof that the old fellow
had not visited the post ONCE III three
DAYS. and I thought IL was worth while
to wait around bit and take chance
on his coming this morning.
Il had not long to wait, as II happened.
Within half an hour ! observed an elder
~ man who Tailed with your description
OF Summerfield. He entered the section
stood. pretending to be absorbed in a list
of uncaiied-for letters ! was the only
person in there, and he paused, probably
to see whether I've knew me, darted like
a ferret to the box and extracted the let
ter, then whisked around and. with an
other glance at me, was out of the room
I'm q twinkiing.
1T was then that I made my mistake.
for followed him at once. Y stepped as
softly as possible land I wear rubber
heels), but the old fellow must be in
fear OF being tracked. for 1T the entrance
door he turned abruptly and looked at
me.
II endeayored to appear unconcerned,
but his move was SO unexpected that
dare say ] betrayed my surprise. His
whtskers parted In a sardonic grin. and
upon my soul, Mr.. Bliss, for one instant
j thought that my Uncle Peter stood be-
fore me. Many are the times that / have
seen just such an expression on uncle
face when he was upbraiding me. and
this mans eyes were half closed In the
same demoniacal fashion. / assure you
I'm ready enough now to accept your
suggestion that Summerfieid is a relative.
well, / had enough presence of mind
to assume an expression of surprise at
his manner and turn to a writing table
by window. From the corner OF my
eye watched him leave the building and
enter q hardic that stood by the curb and
drive away.
within another minute l, too, was in
herdic and I'm hot pursuit, for / meant
TO see where the old man put up IL II
cost q fortune, and l instructed my driver
somewhat to that effect.
Ito De continued tomorrow