The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-21


But, Squaretoes-I beg your pardon.
Mr.. Coran-I mean our friend here
has always been such a model that
l thought it rather fun. He can win
the election, and welcome. after this"
THAT is all, then. i want a word
in private with these two gentlemen.
Good night to you, and many thanks"
Great Scot! Inspector, but you
gave me a fright. hope, Mr.. Coran,
you don't, bear malice? That's all
right, then. Good night all"
AS he disappeared through the door
the elder man dropped into chair,
covering his face with his hands.
"This is shocking!" he groaned.
"Oh, Mr.. Peace, are you sure it was
my sister,"
There Is no doubt at all"
"But what can do now?" he asked,
| looking from one to the other of us,
with a pitiable expression. "Shall I
withdraw"
Nonsense" said the little detec-
tive, firmly. Flight your election and
win it, sir; and the best way to begin
is to go back and tell them all about
It,"
GO and tell them? Go and tell the
meeting?" he cried.
"Yes. They'll like you all the bet
ter for 1t. Do you suppose there il
no human nature in Brendon? Are
you going to keep this miserable scan-
dal hanging over your head all your
life? If you stick to politics some one
is sure to rake it up. Be man, Mr..
Coran. and get it over now"
81 will"
He had got to his feet, his eyes set
with a sudden determination. He
stretched out his hand to each Of us,
turned about, and marched out Of the
room like soldier leading a forlorn
hope against fortress. AS the door
me with an expression in which SYM
pathy and humor were oddly mingled.
Take my word for 1t, Mr.. Phillips"
he said, many a reputation for des-
perate valor has been won by less
sacrifice"
1t was not until after two days that
I heard the arguments by which the
inspector had worked his way to a
conclusion. They form good ex-
ample of his methods.
at was evident" he said, "that the
blackmailer knew Coran's character,
his position as regards the election.
and the details of his house and
grounds. Those facts suggested a
relative or close personal friend. The
theory that it was relative was
strengthened by the newspaper cut
ting. It was not a thing casual &C
quaintance would be likely to keep by
him all these years.
From Coran I learnt that he had
had differences Of opinion with Miss
Rebecca. In my conversation with
her she spoke bitterly of his refusal
to subscribe to her society for the pre-
vention of vivisection. She returned
to the subject several times, mention.
ing the financial difficulties in which
the local branch, of which she is the
secretary, was placed. Those facts
impressed me.
Before Appleton arrived last night
I had carefully searched the summer
house. In a corner OF the woodwork
l discovered a note from Miss Emily.
The place was the lovers letter box,
Indeed, had been expecting that
young gentleman's appearance long
before he came. / did not, however.
tell this to Mr.. Coran whenshe pressed
for an arrest. It would hardly have
been fair ON the girl. ! do not imag.
Inc that they will find the old gen.
tleman SO stony-hearted after to
night. AS for the young man, in the
inquiries I made concerning him, !
found nothing that was not straight
and honest put him out Of the list
at an early date.
"Who the person may have been
that listened at the window / cannot
say; but / conclude 1t was Miss Re-
becca. She certainly did not attempt
to carry of the parcel.
This morning discovered that an
anonymous donation Of twenty pounds
was sent to Miss Rebecca's society the
day after the first successful attempt
at blackmail. I kept an eye on the
house, and shortly after midday she
walked down to Horledge's shop. He
is the president of her society. They
remained for some time together, and
then Horledge took train to London.
l followed him to the newspaper room
in the British museum. Things were
becoming Nainer.
81 have now no doubt that Miss Re-
becca guessed who we were from the
first. She told the secret to Horledge,
who was, you remember, one of her
brothers chief opponents in the cleo.
ton, out of sheer feminine spite. !
suspected the man would attempt
something at the meeting on Friday
night. My suspicion was correct, an
you saw"
"And the election?"
"He won his seat on the council. !