The San Francisco call., 1913-09-24

1nal q promise, hluBWdy Hoo-
ded. and closed the door behind him.
He wondered If the statement he
had provoked from Mckee could pos
sibly be turned to advantage.
Apprehensive excitement stirred
/ him till he reached the pawn broker $
again.
You were telling me about that
woman-your customer" he stam-
mered she didn't take a revolver.
1 but-but did she leave one behind?
VIII you look through those you
have? Just for curiosity-just to
oblige me?"
! The assistant eyed him wonder
ingiy.
why. do you know. had an idea
at first that there was an extra one
on the counter after she'd gone"
yes, yes; could you tell for GER
tain2"
Our private mark should be on
them all 1t won't take a minute to
decide"
He moved from sight Very soon
Frank Ridgway heard an exclama-
tion, and he reappeared with pistol
in his hand.
Il don't know how this one came
to be with the rest A jolly good
place to hide it. anyway"
Keep it carefully" Ridgway ad-
vised. speaking calmly with an ef-
fort. That's important
But why on earth should she"
That's what hope to discover.
When she asked me to buy one it was
only a blind But-not a word TO any
one. This may help me to get job.
DO you know her name and address,"
THE CASE
7 can tell you those she gave us
1 last week when she pawned a ring.
I He referred to a book Mrs. Morti-
mer, Cranleigh mansions.
: Outside in the street again Ridg-
way bought paper. The casson
murder case was starred with many
headlines, but he could only see one
fresh item of information.
Victor Casson. an elderly man. liv
ing alone with his servant, Edwin
Jodrell. had been discovered at an
early hour one morning sitting in his
accustomed chair At sight OF the
bullet wound in his forehead and the
hole in the window pane, Jodrell had
instantly summoned the police. In
fact, the servants story explained
that he had been reused from sleep
by the sound Of the pistol shot He
had served Casson for Is years.
The Iatter's business as a money
/ lender had made him many enemies.
At the inquest the various details
that were ELECTED proved him to have
been harsh and rapacious in the ex-
treme to the misguided borrowers,
his clients The same idea occurred
to everybody-one of these victims,
goaded to desperation. had shot Cas-
son from the street
Now. Frank Ridgway read that ac
cording to his will. his always faith
full servant. Edwin Jodren,T had been
left $4,000
rs it all coming right Ridgway
asked himself, curiously 1T must
for Madge's saker
As he hurried along a dizziness
came over him He stopped, leaning
against doorway He remembered
that he had eaten nothing since early
morning. Now there was money in
his pocket. but he wanted that for
Madge. Finally ne had coffee and
cake at lunch counter
At Casson's house he knocked for
some time in vain; then he was told
that Edwin Jodrell could not see any
one.
You're a reporter, I suppose. Well,
he's out, anyway"
Ridgway paused rehectively by the
gate.
~Cranleigh Mansions" he told him
self
The hall porter at the large block
Of flats, however, knew no resident
called Mortimer.
What's she like to look at?" He
listened attentiveiy. "oh, you mean
Mrs. Halliford.'
Ridgway ascended to the number
he gave. The outer door was partly
open: trunks encumbered the pas
sage.
He pressed the bell.
Here's the boy come to carry down
the luggage" It was a woman speak
ing in the distance.
"All right" answered the second
voice. "Tll see to it,
The stout. clean shaven man start
ed violently on seeing the visitor
His face paled
Just a minute before you go. Jod-
rell." said Ridgway. quietly. i've
some news for you
The man servant glanced this way
and that; but Ridgway blocked the
exit
I'll come in he added, advancing.
Jodrell pushed open the door Of the
nearest room. Ridgway, divining
his plan, followed him so closely that
he was forced to enter first
The revolver's found
What reyolver7"
The one you used to shoot Mr..
Victor casson," returned Ridgway
| instantly.
It was just guess. He was hardly
prepared for It's result. Edwin Jod-
relI staggered. then launched himself
| forward. They wrestled together
Ridgway was weak. and in poor
health. But he knew that IL he were
| overpowered all his hopes would