Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-26
CHAPTER Ill.
The Second Clue.

ASKING an lmpOSSlUlIilS.
was sitting in Inspector Davis
room in the post-office building. The
first thing in the morning / had gone
there to enlist his aid in clearing up
the mystery that hung over the Far
IRISH home. With the confidence based
on a friendship that had it's begin
nings in boyhood association l felt
sure he would do all he could to help
me. wanted, if possible, to learn
through him whence had come the
yellow letter.
Miller Davis, though only year old
er than l, already had become one Oh
the governments most trusted secret
agents. His rise in the service had
been phenomenally rapid. The rob-
berry of the post-ofice where he was
employed had given him his start. A
little later, with the merest thread to
follow, he had run TO earth a skllIul
band of stamp counterfeiters, and
three Of it's members were now serV-
ing long terms. Only year ago, when
all the other inspectors had failed 70
find the flaw in the registry service
that permitted a red-striped sack with
two hundred thousand dollars WORTH
of registered mail to disappear, Da-
Wis, putting his keen, analytical NINA
on the case, within a week had dis
covered the flaw in the system ana
only few days later had arrested the
ex.convict who had profted by 1t.
With the natural interest Of an old
friend l had followed his career and
was familiar with most of his brilliant
achievements. Even though the scrap
which was puzzling me had no en-
velope and bore no postmark, so conn'
dent was in his far-reachlng powers
! would hardly have been amazed IL no
had told me all about it as soon as
showed it TO him. Imagine, then, my
disappointment at his absolute refusal
to take up the matter at all.
Don't you see how important 1t IS Z?
T cried. This little scrap is the Key
to the whole mystery"
He was sitting with his back to the
light-a trick most business men have
these days. so that they can see your
face in full light, while you have dill
Guilty in reading theirs-yet from his
tone l felt that he was inWardly
amused at my anxiety.
I'm afraid you overrate my detect
i've ability and my powers as post"
Office inspector" he said. While am
inclined to agree with you that this bit
OF paper may have some bearing on
the case, there is nothing to show from
what post.ofiice it came, through whose
hands it passed, or by whom 1t was re-
ceived. 1t may not have come through
the mail at all More than likely some
messenger brought it. Before l could
undertake an investigation l. would
have to know, first, that it hssi come
through the mail; second, that there
was some evidence that the mails were
being used for an unlawful purpose;
and third, | would want to be certain
before began the investiGas zion, that
l would win, out. That's the secret.
old chap. of my success, OF every
bodyss success. Don't tackle; things
you can't do. then you never fail"
Davis refusal was 4 greater blow to
me than cared to admit. Louise and
in our final conference the night be-
fore had decided that there were three
steps that would take us far into the
light.
First. I was to try at once TO lind
Hugh Crandall was to ask him TO
explain the rupture with Katharine,
the attitude of General Parrish toward
him, his knowledge of the yellow let
ter. and why he had called Katharine
on the telephone the afternoon before.
Second, failing to find Crandall, l
was to make some pretext for visiting
his rooms. His sudden departure and
his cautionins the janitor 10 admit no
one had suspicious look. While
neither Louise nor had discussed
what might be there to explain the
mystery. was thinking tAat. ii al!
probability I wc&,a 90 . t',:'.c!a OF
letters fror, Nvth a. T.-.rs.
mieht frrn.s;'
Third. was to ask Inspector Davis
to help me trace tha yellow letter
had anticipated little difficulty IN
apcertaining Crandalrs whereabouts
A broker Of standing does not vanish
overnight without informing his busi
ness partners. Before coming to the
inspector l had telephoned to Gran
dall's office. Great was my amazemen'
to learn from one Of his partners thai
they were as much puzzled as l ovel
his sudden going away. They hat
merely received telegram; saylns
that he had been called out Of towI
Unexpectedly and did not know whel
he would return. The telegram hat
been sent from an Office near his room!
the night before. There was no bus!
mess affair that would take him away
$50 they supposed that it was sons
urgent personal matter.
While chatted for a moment Will
o,-or avn t,ovIoo5 invS I wa