Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-23

Mr.. Groscup was quite satisfied that the
storm had blown over and he had cabled
to Mr.. Frank Douglas to come home. Nc
Bride had advised Mr. Hartley that unless
he had any further use for johnson, Il
would be just as well to stop that drain on
his finances; because the said Johnson was
not at all bsshful about drawing money
for the expenses Of himself and the
handsome Mr.. Frank Doremus, who seemed
to be still engaged on the case. although
the person for whose benefit he was EN-
ployed had disappeared from the scene.
MIR. Frank Douglas arrived at quarantine
on Friday night. too late to land but he
found letters for him, telling him that Mr..
Groscup and DR.. Ramle would be at the
dock to meet him in the morning, and ad-
ding that everything was quiet on the
Potomac. He knew what that meant, and
he was glad to hear it. He had eagerly
searched all the newspapers that came on
board, to see II there were any item about
the mystery of Cab No. A. Apparently that
incident was entirely forgotten, so many
and much more interesting events had
happened since
The doctor was very glad to see the re-
turning capitalist, and congratulated him
on his fine appearance OF course Douglas
first question was about the cab, and he
could not help expressing his astonishment
that no one had recognized Maynard's ring.
The fact that two known men and an un-
known cab driver, could completely disap-
pear at the same time that the tragedy hap
pened, and no one even notice the coinci-
dence, was beyond him. The lawyer told
him that 1t was nothing but his guilty
knowledge that supplied the connection
which no one else had even dreamed Of
Even IL they knew that two men and a
cab driver had disappeared, which they
didn't he said. New York was a large place,
and many people drop out of sight every
day without exciting as much comment as
d stickful in the papers.
And that fellow Fletcher" Douglas went
on, as they strolled UP and down the dock,
waiting for the baggage to como ashore,
pity he turned out to be a wrong-un. you
know. L could have used him In my bust
ness; and put him in the way Of making
a gread deal more every year than that
paltry $1,000 he killed Maynard for. No
sign of him?'
mo. Not even a suspicion" said the
doctor with a laugh. Eth, Groscup?"
The lawyer did not quite agree He called
the doctors attention to the fact that Mr..
Douglas was not aware of the later devel-
opments with regard to Mr.. Fletchers past,
and then he proceeded to explain briefly
to Mr.. Douglas that Mr.. Fletcher could
never have awaited himself of Mr.. Douglas
good intention to make use of him in a
business way, the police were after him
for crimes only little less serious than
the one OF which they knew.
Douglas did not seem inclined to believe It,
Il liked that fellow" he said frankly. He
seemed to me to be the real stuff. L make
my money sizing up the men l meet with
and the yarns they spin on me. Amy man
may commit murder. We can't Judge him
until we know what drove him to it. But
II that fellow Fletcher was a thief or a
forger, I'll own up L never was so badly
fooled in my life"
The doctor smiled. You're not fooled on
one thing, Mr.. Douglas" he said, FLETCHER
was smart enough not to be caught. At
least he has only about ten hours more to
stay hid, and you get your money all right.
Your Judgment was good enough to pick
the winner in that little bet. Come up 20
Green's tonight at 8 o'clock and I'll hand
over the stakes. This Is the day, you
know"
You don't catch me going near Green s. -
said Douglas, rather emphaucally. II
should have a blue funk If went in there
again. l have never been able to forget
that bloody pocketbook, and that fellow
Fletcher, pale as a ghost, backing out Of
the door with his watch in his hand, tell
ing us not TO move for twenty minutes.
My! II gives me the shivers yet l know
III be like Maynard. Remember that yarn
of his? Yes. III fall into the arms Of the
first cop that looks at me-"
But you must come TO Green's tonight
at s. as agreed. Hartley will be there, and
Mr.. Groscup has promised TO come up, as
he is interested in the case. l have re-
served the room"
Not the same room, ! hope?'
I Yes, the same room. Why not?"
Cant stand it, my dear doctor. should
say or do something that would give the
whole thing away. 1 know. believe IL l
saw a spot on the tablecloth I'd Shrek. Too
much of Banquos ghost about that place
for me. Come up to my club, or some other
restaurant Anywhere but that room OF
Green's"
But the doctor insisted on Green's. That
was the agreement and even IL he stayed
only long enough to hear the clock strike
eight and get Mr.. Hartleys acknowledge
ment that Fletcher had not been found
within the time specified. he must come
Finally, after both men had argued him
into it. he agreed to be at Green's on time
that evening