The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-08-29

ing" -,,s..r-;s--.r,---, ..-.-,
As I recalled Davis parting instruc.
tons to me when l had first come
out to Ardway, l was more and moro
surprised that he had not investigat.
ed further at the post-office. He had
seemed to think that the clue to the
whole mystery would be found there,
and he had particularly charged me
to find out to whom Lock Box No. II
had been rented. I decided to ask
Miss Cox if she knew anything about it.
Seventeen has never been rented
as long as | have had anything to do
with the Office 1t is away off there
in the corner where it is hard to see
into. There's always been moro
boxes than there was any call for Not
one of them in the lower row ever has
been rented, even in summer, when
there's lot of city folks out here"
! DO you ever remember of seeing
! any mali addressed to that box?"
She worked industriously at her
crocbeting toG a minute minute or TWO before
rt>slying and then, putting it aside, said
thoughtfiilgt
ITS fuHHy that you should have
"Why2" ~"~@SsF.SS
q don't know that I've any bust.
ness telling YOU" said Miss Cox, as
she debated with herself whether or
not she W9s talking too much, but
am as anxious as anybody to find out
! what's become of Charlie Rouser, and
from what I've seen Of you l guess
you're a sight more likely to find him
than Jim Dobbs, the constable. II l
wasn't sure in my own mind that Char
lie hadn't done nothing out of the way,
I don't know as I'd even be telling
you about it. But since you've asked
me, guess ! will"
She hesitated studying my face as
if trying TO read there whether or not
! meant harm to the missing post
master. l tried not to exhibit undue
interest, though inwardly l felt quite
jubilant. I was certain that | was on
the track of important revelations.
Let me see" she continued, "it was
week ago Tuesday-no, it was We'd
nesday, for / went over to my sisters
Tuesday and Mr. Rouser left word
for me, and | found ii waiting for me
when | came back. He asked me to
come over and take the office for the
day. | was surprised when l come
over here to open up to find him here,
for I'd understood that he was going
to be gone all day. He explained that
he didn't have TO go till after the mail
was in, and he stayed here and helped
me sort. There was a lot of mail
that day, people round here are great
for answering advertisements and get
ting circulars. Besides that, some of
them get-rich-quick concerns have got
hold of our telephone subscribers
book and there's always a lot of min
ing stock letters. There was no less
than four good-sized bundles of letters
from New York. Rouser was sorting
the letters and l was handling the
second class and the papers. | got
through with that and picked up the
last bundle of letters In it was ne
less than six letters addressed to Lock
Box II. 'Seventeen's rented at last,
says |, thinking it funny that l didn't
know the name on them, Henry Nal
colin Stewart. Who's got It? III take
charge Of them says he, taking the
letters right out of my hand before ]
had chance to look at the postmarks
or anything. ! noticed, too, that he
didn't put them in the box, but TANNED
them into his pocket along with a lot
Of other letters he had. ! couldn't
say who the other letters was ad,
dressed to, for | didn't get a chance
to see them. They might have been
his own, for all know. But I 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
tin after closing time"
Have you any idea where he went?"
When | come over here that day
supposed he was going to the city, but
a few minutes after he left the office I
saw him driving past in one Of the
livery rigs"
Which direction did he go?" I
asked, feeling more and more sure
that | had struck the right trail. In
all probability this young fellow in the
post-oftice was merely an innocent tool
Of Crandall. He had driven off some
where to meet Crandall and give him
the Lock Box II letters, for | was con-
WINGED that Stewart was merely an
alias of the villain who had been send
ing out the yellow letters. If 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, "he always
goes that way" indicating the opposite
direction from the station. Il shouldn't
be surprised in the least If he was
keeping company with some farmers
daughter"
A sudden light came into her eyes
and smile Of satisfaction spread over
her face
Land alive. never thought OF it
before" she exclaimed, but I'd bet
anything he's gone off to get mar
ried"