The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-02-23

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
and offered it to him.
"One 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.
Twill 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?"
81 mean that there Is something
and l 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 it, put it back and handed 1t
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? WhoY
II know it by a reference It contains
to something Of which only one person
except myself knows. As to who wrote
II, If l were to tell you you would not
believe me-"
II have never doubted your word"
"Not in anything pertaining to my
self or you. / have never accused any
one to you. II l were to do so now
you would be confirmed in your opin-
ion that I wrote the note"
He arose as II to take leave.
You're surely not going to leave
the matter in this unsatisfactory posi-
ton. are you?"
'In trying to get out Of it I might
get into a worse one"
please cease these enigmas; speak
plainly"
He thought a moment, then said:
Tf l were not confident that the per-
son ! suspect wrote that note you
would have to remain in ignorance.
As It is l 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 a
pigeonhole in her escritOire.
Renwick was young man Of
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 it might be. When he
had removed his overcoat he opened
the box and brought out his micro
scope. Placing it on table. he lighted
the lamp connected with 1t; 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 it I'M
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
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
deep drawn sigh Of relief. .
"Whoever wrote that note" said
Renwick, did very good job. He
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 Renwick
written by FIVE other persons besides
| QlIQSeI. DE SURPRISINGLY
four of these notes and showed Miss
Kershaw that none Of the four had
handled the anonymous note. The
fifth note on the table was from Mr..
| Edward Alsop.
eff you are content" said Renwick.
'fn knowing that neither I nor any
one of these other four correspondents
wrote that scurrilous note we will 60
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 corresponded
with those she had seen on the anopy-
nous note.
The next morning Mr.. Alsop received
q note from Miss Kershaw breaking
their engagement and later she be-
came engaged to the microscopic