Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-04-16

NNNAAs IA VI NAAhn IVA |
down to the post-ofice and we we're
wondering whether Charlie 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, 81 guess I'd be likely !
to know It, being her own cousin and
knowing as well as | know my own
face that she hasn't had a man friend
for eleven years, since Aleck Thomp-
son died. AS for Charlie Rouser going
away on his bicycle, don't know
nothing about II. All | know Is his
wheel amt here, but he never kept
It here anyway. He always kept It
down to the post.office."
With that she slammed the door
in my face, but went away we'll sat
isfed. AS l walked down the dusty
path Of the so-called street toward
the hotel / reviewed all | had learned
and was delighted to think how
amazed Davis would be when I pre-
sented my 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 fro Lou
ise over the telephone, he had dared
to go to the Parrish home.
He had so intimidated Louise that
she had asked me to withdraw at once
from the inquiry.
Acting on her fears, he had persuad-
ed her to accompany him to some
place in New Jersey.
Lock Box II was used for the mail
Of some one who had taken the alias
Of Henry Malcolm Stewart.
All the mail that came to that ad.
dress was taken care of by Charlie
Rouser, the postmaster.
Rouser was IN the habit OF going
at frequent intervals either on his
bicycle or in buggy out on the road
that led away from the station.
Rouser, when he disappeared, I'M
doubtedly had gone away on his b.
cycle.
Everything, to my mind, pointed to
his having gone to meet Crandal.
How to account for the fact that
Rouser had not returned was still a
poser to me, but as reviewed Gran
dall's connection with the chain Of
persons who had been driven to death
l found myself believing that 1t was
not at all out Of the range Of posi-
bility for Crandall to have made away
with Rouser for fear of betrayal. From
all / had learned about the missing
postmaster, was convinced that he
was weak rather than vicious, and ]
felt that he probably was an innocent
party to the nefarious plot Of the vel.
low letters Davis story that 1t was q
crime of two persons, after all, was
only theory. When the mystery was
cleared up was positive that the only
criminal who would be uncovered
would be Hugh Crandall. l shuddered
as I recalled that Louise even now was
somewhere with him, not exactly
alone, to be sure, for the car was
driven by her chauffeur, but still II
was a most disconcerting thought.
AS l approached the hotel l saw 9
buggy stop before 1t, the occupants Of
which were Davis and the constable
AS Davis dlsmounted heard him say
to the constable:
Tonight at eight"
"IIl be on hand, you bet" said the
constable as he drove of.
l quickened my steps and overlook
Davis Just as he started up the stairs
to his room.
i've got some great news for you,
l whispered and went on up with him
The minute he got into the room h'
flung himself on the bed, as If utterl!
worn out, and lighted cigarette.
had expected that he would be cage,
to question me but this did not seen
to be the case. He lay there with eye
half closed as If unaware Of my pres
ence.
Annoyed as l was at his seeming in
difference, was sure that when toll
him my amazing news about Crandal
and my discoveries about the post
master he would be effsctuall,
aroused. took It for granted that hi
mood was due to dependency owe
bis failure to find either Of them.
II have seen Hugh Crandall twioe
no, three times, today" said by wa
Of beginning, and l have found on
how Rouser went when he left tn
/ post Office"
. YES" he said absent-mindedly.
What's more" cried impatiently
I Il know who had Lock Box No. II.
| know what was done with the ma
a that came to that address"
3 Davis, without answering me-
reached for another cigarette, Ugh
4 ing 1t from the butt he had been smol
I Ing. His nonchalant indifference
a grated on my nerves and l lost m
D temper.
"Confound 1t, Kent" he said wit
( considerable asperity, II was so bus
. thinking out something really dldn
hear what you said. Sit down an
tell me all about it."
J. Notified by his apology, I sat dow
d on the foot Of the bed and told him tn
story Of my day, how had seen
+ man going into the Parrish home an
had recognized him later as Hug
Crandall, or at least as the man WI
d had registered at the hotel as Cool
g how had been barred from the hous,
It how had discovered another yellov
II letter suicide in the park; how, whE
d l returned to the Parrish home aft
5 Crandall had left, Louise had told n
y Of the theft of the scrap Of yellow p
Ie per from her desk; how she had lie
y me to 90 OF In her automobile aft