The Yale expositor., 1911-01-13
TheMicroscopist
By ELIZABETH WEED
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

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II have received an anonymous note
warning me against Ed Alsop. to
whom / have just become engaged.
Since I received a proposal from you
before becoming engaged to Mr.. Alsop
and since the writing looks very like
yours disguised you are naturally un-
der suspicion OF having written the
note"
The lady paused as II waiting for
the gentleman to make q denial.
Have you anything to sayr she
added.
"You have stated the charge" he
said, 'and have given a reason why
am suspected Of this undetermined act
Have you other reasonsr'
'No. 1t seems that this, unless 1t
can be explained, is sufficient"
'Please let me see the note"
Miss Kershaw had 1t in her hand
and 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 1t. Miss Kershaw drew back.
"Will you please explain why you
put on your glovesT she asked.
"He who touches pitch will be de-
fled" he replied.
"What do you mean by that?"
81 mean that there Is something
noxious about an anonymous letter,
and / don't want to touch it"
She looked at him with a puzzled ex-
preston, then handed him the note.
Removing 1t from the envelope, he
scanned II, put 1t back and handed 1t
to Miss Kershaw. Then he removed
his gloves and put them in his pocket.
"WellT said the girl.
al know who wrote the note"
"How? WhoY'
81 know It by a reference It contains
TO something of which only one person
except myself knows. AS to who wrote
II, If were to tell you you would not
believe me-"
al have never doubted your word"
"Not in anything pertaining to my
self or you. I 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 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 1t / might
get into a worse one"
please cease these enigmas; speak
plainly"
He thought moment. then said:
eff / were not confident that the per-
son suspect wrote that note you
wouldb 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 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 a few persons from whom
she had recently received missives, but
what letters she got she put In q
pigeonhole in her escritoire
Renwick was a young man Of a
scientific turn OF mind. his hobby be-
ing microscopy. The next evening he
made his call with a box under his
arm. Miss Kershaw looked at 1t and
wondered what II might be. When he
had removed his overcoat be opened
the box and brought out his micro
scope. Placing II on a table, he lighted
the lamp connected with it; then, TAX
ing a 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 a 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
30 look. She saw different curves
She saw at once that they were MOI
the marks Of the person who had writ
ten the anonymous note. She gave
deep drawn sigh OF relief.
whoever wrote that note" said
Renwick, did a very good job. He
has initiated my writing just enough
10 make It appear that the chlrogra
ply Is mine with an attempt at dis
Euise."
"who did write it7"
There were notes before Renwicf
written by Eve other persons beside
himself. He successfully substituted
four of these notes and showed Mis-
Kershaw that none Of the four ha,
handled the anonymous note. IT,
nfth note on the table was from MI
Edward Alsop.
eff you are content" said Renwick
ain knowing that neither ] nor an
one Of these other four correspondent
wrote that scurrIlous note we Will GO
IL Il