Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-01-29

ter. This envelope came from a coun-
try post-onhce in either New York OF
New Jersey within a month-some
post-ofiice the name Of which begins
with Ar or An There are not many
rural offices that viii fit in all par.
uculars. In two days or sooner. can
tell you exactly from what office they
were mailed"
"Letters--you think there we're two?
Might not this be the envelope in
which this paper came?"
That presupposes an acquaintance
between Elser and Miss Parrish, at
least a connection Of some sort Did
she know him."
Il don't think so. Her sister and
we're talking OF the Elser suicide last
night after We saw the evening papers
Louise surely would have known Il II
her sister was acquainted with him"
Perhaps" said Davis doubtfully.
There isn't a human being over ten
that has not q secret that they keep
from some one. 1t looks to me, though,
as II in all probability there were two
distinct letters. That is what makes
me suspect a plot. 1t convinces me
that the malls are being used for an
improper and more than likely a Grim
ina purpose. This brings the case or
both cases properly in my domain as
post-ofice inspector"
And can count on your assistance,
after ALL" said joyfully. When can
you begin work."
Il have begun" he said tersely,
pushing over for my inspection some
thing he had hastily scrawled on pad
lying on his desk. 1t was an order Rd-
dressed to the superintendent of the
railway mails, which read:
Have all railway clerks on New
York and New Jersey routes report
from what rural office within the last
month they have received large guam
titles Of letters in yellow envelopes.
II letters have been discontinued,
when? DAVIS"
Large quantities." gasped. Were
there more than two?"
"Of course" he snapped, in a way
that showed me he did not wish to be
questioned further, Then he reached
for his hat and coat. and with an alb.
rupt Come along!" led the way to
the elevator.
Where are you going?" asked as
he rushed me hurriedly through Park
place to the Sixth Avenue Elevated
ITO Twenty-thiTd street" he replied
ito fud out what the police have not. u
In the Il" train l told him in low
tones Of Crandalls apparent connec
ton with the case and Of his sudden
disappearance. He sat silent, his
whole bearing indicating such abstrac
ton that / doubted if he had heard g
word | was saying, but suddenly, just
before we left the train, he startled
me by asking:
do you know Crandall? What
color are his eyes?"
regretted that l had to say no L
the first question, and that l did not
to the latter, which query amazed m,
greatly. What connection the colo
Of a mans eyes could possibly have
with two attempts at suicide and lo
Of mysterious yellow letters from ,
rural post-offlce was entirely beyont
me. Curious as l was, hesitated Il
question him on the subject, for ex
perience had taught me thRt he wa
better at asking than answering.
Instead Of going directly to tn
clearinghouse where Elser had killer
himself, he took the other side Of tn,
street and turned abruptly into
house, beside the door of which was
doctors plate.
is Doctor Berner in?" he asked O
the maid, and on being shown into tn
physicians office, introduced himsel
as Inspector Davis" and began ques
tioning the doctor about the Elser su
eide.
Though the papers had made n
mention Of Doctor Berner, the state
ment being that policeman ha
called an ambulance from Bellevu
Hospital 1t nov appeared that tn
landlady had summoned him as 500
, as the suicide was discovered. Else
was dead, so he had withdrawn g
soon as the policeman arrived.
Did you ever have Elser as a pI
tient?" asked the inspector
The doctor reflected
only once-about two years ago.
, gave him something for insomnia. II
called here at the Office and / wrot
! him prescription. He was to retur
|, in few days for further treatmen
, but he did not do so. Another time
! The doctor hesitated.
There was another time l had 9
, most forgotten, a year or two befol
} that. He met me in the street or
. day and asked what my Office hou,
!. were on Saturday. He explained TIL
he was the guardian Of boy who WI
!, in a bosrding-sehool. The child hl
p some slight throat trouble ana !
p wished me to make an examinatio
? On the following Saturday he brougi
= the boy here, a bright little chap abo
> ten"
DO you know the boys name? VIII
school did he attend?" The inspect
AIRED this question rapidly, but 1t WI
3 quickly apparent that the doctor h
b nothing more to tell. so We left.
!. What a wonderful man you sre!"
q exclaimed as the doctors door clos,
[ behind us. How did you learn tn
Y Doctor Berner had been called in aft
e Elser killed HIMSELF"
n "There is nothing wonderful abo
my knowledge" answered Davis wi
l. a laugh. What IS the first thing tn
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