Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-12-30
.TheMicroscopist
BY ELIZABETH WEED
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

MI. heu WlCh, Sulu MISS AerSDaW.
II have received an anonymous note
warning me against Ed Alsop, to
whom | have just become engaged.
Since l received proposal from you
before becoming engaged to Mr.. Asop
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 If waiting for
the gentleman to make a denial.
Have you anything to sayr' she
added.
You have stated the CHARGE" he
said. land have given a reason why I
am suspected of this undetermined act
Have you other reasons"
mo. 1t seems that this, unless 1t
can be explained. is sufficient"
"Please let me see the note"
Miss Kershaw had it in her hand
md offered 1t to him.
zone moment" he said.
He had removed his gloves on enter
Ing the house and before taking the en-
velope in which the note was inclosed
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?"
II mean that there is something
noxious about an anonymous letter,
and l don't want to touch it"
She looked at him with a puzzled ex-
preston. then handed him the note.
Removing it from the envelope. he
scanned it, put it back and handed II
to Miss Kershaw. Then he removed
his gloves and put them in his pocket.
"Well| said the girl.
81 know who wrote the note"
"How? Who"
II know it by a reference 1t contains
to something of which only one person
except myself knows. AS to who wrote
it. if l were to tell you you would not
believe me-"
Il have never doubted your word"
Not in anything pertaining to my
self or you. l have never accused any
one to you. If l were to do so now
you would be confirmed in your opin.
ion that | wrote the note"
He arose as if to take leave.
You're surely not going to leave
the matter in this unsatisfactory posi-
ton, are your
'In trying to get out Of it 1 might
got info a worse Onen
please cease these enigmas; speak
plainly"
He thought q moment, then said:
IF l were not confident that the per
son suspect wrote that note you
would have to remain in ignorance
AS it is | will try to prove the writer
Tomorrow morning | will call again
Meanwhile please collect samples OF
the dwriting-notes-of those will
whom you have recently correspond
ed"
Miss Kershaw promised to do as be
asked. Her curiosity was excited t.
know his plan of procedure. There
were only a few persons from whom
she had recently received missives, bu
what letters she got she put in 6
pigeonhole in her escritoire.
Renwick was a young man Of 6
scientific turn of mind. his hobby be
ing microscopy. The next evening ht
made his call with a box under his
arm. Miss Kershaw looked at 1t ant
wondered what it might be. When hi
had removed his overcoat he opened
the box and brought out his micro
scope. Placing II on table. he lighted
the lamp connected with it; then, tax
ing minute pair Of tongs used fol
handling objects intended for examina
ton. he picked up the envelope contain
ing the anonymous note and fixed it I'm
der the glasses of his instrument. WheI
he had adjusted the focus he invited
Miss Kershaw to have a peep. Sh'
saw certain curved lines in the fiel(
of view.
"Those are the thumb marks" h'
said, 1.-The person who wrote the not
left on the envelope"
Miss Kershaw was interested.
Renwick then removed the note anC
substituted one he had written him
self. Again he invited Miss Kershav
to look. She saw different curves
She saw at once that they were no
the marks of the person who had writ
ten the anonymous note. She gave {
deep drawn sigh of relief.
"Whoever wrote that note" saiC
Renwick, did a very good job. H.
has initiated my writing just enough
to make it appear that the chirogra
ply is mine with an attempt at dis
guise."
"Who did write it?"
There were notes before Renwicl
written by five other persons beside
himself. He successfully substituted
four of these notes and showed Mis-
Kershaw that none of the four haC
handled the anonymous note. TIL
fifth note on the table was from MI
Edward Alsop.
"If you are content" said Renwick
"in knowing that neither | nor an,
one OF these other four CORRESPONDENT