The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-14

that in me you have friend"
IL do not doubt It,"
'sWhy notY'
II can tell a dishonest man the mo-
ment see him. You are Trustworthy"
THANK you. Now give me an ad-
Sress to which 1 can write you"
l gave her bit OF paper torn from
letter had in my pocket and a pen.
ell. She wrote Laura G. Ostrander,
127 D street" 1t was the house OF
friend to whom she had conflded her
case.
l left her at the door OF her own
house and went to my room. Before
going to bed l wrote a note disguised
for feminine hand. addressed to II.
3. Winchell. The letter that had come
to me had no street and number on 1t,
SO none was needed on the note 1
at certain hour on a certain night he
would find a carriage standing at a
certain place. he was to get into the
carriage. where he would find Laura"
who would hear what he had to say.
Having sealed my note, went out and
posted 1t. Then went to bed rather
to think OF my adventure than to
sleep.
On the evening In question, covered
with a woman's raincoat reaching to
my heels and a woman's hat shaped
like an inverted pot that would con-
ceal my features, entered carriage
and drove to the place / had designat-
ed. I had been there FIVE minutes
when a man approached the door and
said:
Laura
YES" l replied in a woman's con-
tralto voice.
He entered the carriage. thinking he
was with a woman and ignorant of the
fact that he was with a man whose
hand, in the pocket Of the raincoat,
grasped cooked revolver. l had pre-
viously told the driver where to take
US, and as soon as the man was seated
beside me we were driven away.
II am ready to hear what you have
to say" said.
II can restore the will provided that
you will obligate yourself to pay me
$4,000 as soon as you receive the es-
tate which will all be yours under the
will"
"For whom are you actingY'
asked.
THAT do not care to state"
''Supposing your proposition to be
accepted, when and where do you in
tend the papers shall be passed.
whenever and wherever you like"
"Have you the will with your"
"Yes."
1--WE might close the transaction
now"
mot here in the carriage"
mo. Thinking we might need a
private place for such a purpose, 1
obtained of a friend of mine In the
real estate business the key to va
cant cottage on the Centerville turn
pike. There are writing materials
there-indeed, everything we need"
For woman you have a good head
for business. Are you sure this cot
tage is vacantT
Eyes"
VERY well. Tell the driver to take
us there"
HE has been told that already"
When we stopped at tho door OF the
house the man asked me for the key
and told me to remain where l was
till he had explored the premises. I
complied. He went into the house,
lighted the gas and after some ten
minutes absence returned and politely
handed me out of the carriage.
went into the house with him and,
conducting him into a room In the
center of which was table with
writing materials on 1t, shut the door,
He sat down at tho table and filed
out note for $4,000, payable thirty
days after the maker should come
Into her estate, then gave 1t to me to
sign. read It and while doing so
said: where is the will1 Let me
see It."
He took the will from his pocket and
held 1t SO that / could see that II was
genuine. This was all wished for
Putting my hand In the pocket of my
raincoat. quick as a fash leyeled a
revolver at him. holding 1t within a
few feet of his face.
Drop that" I said In my natural
voice.
He stood glaring at me. but power
less. I repeated the order. showing
my revolver close under bis nose.
Looking down tho muzzle of pistol,
especially with an opponents finger on
the trigger, is not pleasant. The weap-
on might go OF even accidentally
The man dropped the will on the
table. feared to remove my gaze
from him to examine 1t lest he take ad-
vantage OF my looking away to spring
upon me. was obliged to take the
risk of Its being the genuine document.
go out before me-" said. picking
mp tho will. still keeping my eyes ON
him. He turned and left the house,
following him. When we reached
The sidewalk l ordered him to walk
away, and when he had reached what
thought safe distance / jumped
Into the carriage. telling the driver to
take me to my home. Before / slept
| dropped a note in the mail for Miss
Ostrander, asking her TO meet me the
next night at tho fountain. She did
20. and l handed her the recovered
A,tl