Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-12
YELLOW LETTER.
4 Fascinating Mystery Story
ByWlLLLAM JOHNSTON
COPYRIGHT lslI-1nE eoeBs. MERRILL CO.
CHAPTER VII Continued.

4. NOC as IdT DIS we Coll ulSCOVeT, Sdlu
the constable. There amt no disorder
about the place and the safe hasn't
been busted, as far as Z can see. amt
made any regular investigation, being
as this is government property"
HAS no one any idea where the post.
master is?" asked. /
That's just what we've been trying
to find out. Jim, here, as soon as we
found Rouser wasn't here, went up to
the Widow Smiths where he boards.
Thought maybe he'd just oversight or
something like that, or maybe was
sick But Mrs. Smith went up and
looked in his room and come down
and said he hadn't been home all
night"
YES" interrupted Jim, "and what's
more, she said it was nothing unusual
for him not to come home. There was
lots and lots Of nights recently when
he didn't show up. She had no idea
where he spent his nights. She's a
woman that minds her own business
and don't interfere none with her
boarders' goings and comings as long
as they pay their money regular
What are you going to do about
keeping the Office open?" asked, much
puzzled over this new mystery. How
wished for Davis! Mystery seemed
to be piling on mystery with every
step took Beyond the one convic.
ton had that Hugh Crandall was in
some way to blame for it all. saw
nothing that would help me in my un.
dertaking. l.. g.,
We've arranged about that We've
sent for Jennie Cox to come over and
take charge. She always takes hold
when Charlie Rouser wants to take a
day or q halliday off. She knows the
combination of the safe and the money
drawer, and has been swo9" in as
special assistant. Shell know what
to do and who to notify" ~
ut may interest you to know that
Post Office Inspector Davis will be out
here tonight" told them. II left him
in New York last night, and he prom.
Used to join me here
all my auditors. ,"s
Maybe that's why Rouser has dis.
appeared" suggested the constable.
Hes been spending lot OF money
lately, Rouser has. Maybe he knew
the inspector was coming and was
short in his accounts. &a
"He couldn't have known it." pro-
tested. 1.-THE inspector himself didn't
know he was coming here until late
yesterday afternoon, and there isn't
any way possible that the postmaster
could have been advised Of his com
ing" 4
The arrival Of the substitute official
diverted the conversation. Miss Cox
an unimaginative, unattractive woman
of thirty, in a most matter-of-fact way
entered the building and took charge,
"The first thing she said as she
calmly hung up her hat and coat, lis
for all you men to get out of here SO
that can sort the mail"
Even the constable moved toward
the door, impelled by the authority in
her tone and his own respect for gov.
eminent property. I determined not
to be routed so easily. It seemed to
me that the occasion afforded me an
excellent opportunity, not to solve the
mystery of the missing postmaster
but to work out one Of my own puz-
zles-who it was that had rented Lock
Box IT, >E ,. 4. ~
"Miss Cox" said, "as a personal
friend Of Post Office Inspector Davis,
who is to join me here in few hours
in connection with an important mat
ter, and for your own sake as WE'LL
would suggest that you should keep at