The Springdale news., 1912-11-01

second class and the papers. l got through with that and picked up the last bundle of letters. In 1t was no less than six letters addressed to Lock Box IT. 'Seventeen's rented at last, says l. thinking it funny that l didn't know the name on them, Henry Nal colm Stewart. Who's got it? I'll take charge of them says he, taking the letters right out of my hand before l had chance to look at the postmarks or anything. I noticed, too, that he didn't put them in the box, but jammed them into his pocket along with lot of other letters he had couldn't say who the other letters was ad- dressed to, for I didn't get chance to see them. They might have been his own, for all know. But couldn't help thinking that the only reason he'd waited till the mail was distributed was to get hold of them Lock Box IT letters. As soon as he got them he went away, and he didn't come back til after closing time"
 Have you any idea where he went!"
 When l come over here that day supposed he was going to the city, but few minutes after he left the office saw him driving past in one of the livery rigs"
 Which direction did he go!" I asked. feeling more and more sure that 1 had struck the right trail In all probability this young fellow in the post-office was merely an innocent tool of Crandall He had driven off some where to meet Crandall and give him the Lock Box IT letters, for was con vineed that Stewart was merely an alias of the villain who had been send ing out the yellow letters. If I could learn where the postmaster had gone on this visit. might be able to find him now.
 Every time Charlie =Rouser goes driving, said Miss Cox. "le always goes hat way" indicating the opposite direction from the station. "I shouldn't be surprised in the leasti if he was keeping company with some farmers daughter"
 sudden light came Into her eyes and smile of satisfaction spread over her face
 Land alive, never thought of it bef"re." she exclaimed, but I'd bet ng he's gone of to get mar
 I-ardly likely" said L He wouldn't go off and leave the office unguarded without telling any one And he wouldn't leave five thousand dollars lying there In the drawer
 That's just what he would do. I'll bet he had a windfall Of some sort and the minute he got the money in his hands he just couldn't wait to go and tell the girl"
 Somebody would have known it If he got a horse at the livery stable, would they not?"
 Oh. that's neither here nor there He might have gone on his bicycle He generally keeps 1t over there in the corner. and it- itt aif.. there now" Tt might be up at Ifs -s-.. aa-..t n tsr :, s :. house.
 Ut might be-" said Miss Cox.
 It came to me that if Davis had thought 1t worth while to go to the Widow Smiths to make inquiries, 1t might be worth my while. too After asking Miss Cox for directions, l told her l was going to see if Rouser's wheel was missing, and made my way up one Of the side streets to the boarding house. Davis visit evidently had rufed the widow I found her in anything but communicative mood
 "lf you're another of those detec- m [, she said. you might just as we'll get out. I've said all I'm going to say. and that's all there is to It."
 Please don't mistake me for a de tective. said as pleasantly as l could. "Im-a-friend of Miss Cox down to the post-office and We were wondering whether Chaslie had taken his bicycle when he went away, and Miss Cox thought you might know"
 If you're a friend of Jennie Cox" said Mrs. Smith, Il guess I'd be likely to know 1t, being her own cousin and knowing as well as l know my own face that she hasn't had man friend for eleven years, since Aleek Thomp- son died. As for Charlie Ronser going away on his bicycle, don't know nothing about it. All I know is his wheel ainst here. but he never kept 1t here anyway. He always kept 1t down 10 the post-offiee" ;"
 With that she slammed the door in ny face but 1 went away we'll sat ished. As l walked down the dusty path Of the so-called street toward the hotel reviewed all l had learned and was delighted 10 think how amazed Davis would be when l pre- sented ny facts gathered in the last twenty-four hours. which were these
 Hugh Crandall was aware that We were on his trail
 Unable to learn anything from Lou ise over the telephone. he had dared to go to the Parrish home.
 He had so intimdated Louise that she had asked me to withdraw at once from the inquiry