The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-03-07
CHAPTER xvl.-(contlnued.)


As Davis finished reading the let
ter / took it from his hand and care
fully re-read it. There could be no
Doubt that it was the same in form
as the scrap Louise and l had found.
AS | scanned the lines, the words at
the beginning of each, from the
seventh on to the thirteenth, were
the same as those over which we had
racked our brains. The context now
made them plain enough. but still !
failed to see what deadly import the
letter had or what sinister meaning
in it should drive its recipients to
desperation and suicide. Surely on
it's face it appeared to present the
harmless within of an old mans slight,
~ unbalanced brain. | turned to
Davis for an explanation.
An ingenious letter." Davis was
saying. And they fell for it?"
A look of pride came into the pris'
oner's face. a.sa-
Wasn't it great" he exclaimed.
why, they ate it up like hot cakes!'
Just plain blackmail,' said the in,
.pector.
No, indeed-fancy blackmail," said
Young Indignantly. "They never had
1t dished up to them quite in this way
before. I insist, if I've got to go to
Jail for it, on at least receiving credit
for new criminal invention"
, 81 fail to see," l interrupted, lust
how the letter was criminal one OF
why it should have bothered any
one"
I'm afraid you will never make d
good detective" said the inspector
pityiEgly. Don't you see how il
worked? Young devised this letter
He needed the cooperation Of some
one in the post Office to send it out
without arousing suspicion. He tried
yellow letters first on General Far
irish to test the terrifying effects
Satisfied that his yellow letter plar
would bring results, he recalled his
acquaintance with Rouser, whom ht
knew to be weak and easily led. Ht
returned to Ardway-his old home
and found it child's play to enlis
general scheme for Rouser to senC
and receive all the mail through ;
lock box with a false name. His OBJ
jiect In this was to enable him. il
case the postal or police authorize.
got on his trail, to have all the docu
mentary evidence point to Rouse
alone. Before his connection with tn,
IL al
make his escape with the money tn,
letters brought in"
81 still don't see," | protested, "hov
4, these letters could bring in money
! They read exactly the opposite The
promise to give away money"
, That's the cleverest thing abou
it." the inspector said, and Young
malevolent eyes glistened at thi
tribute. Cant you see how it work
lied? Young and Rouser, from Ia
lists, bank directories, from telephon
| books-from variety of sources
| compiled a list of persons employee
in positions of trust and began sent
ing out these yellow letters broad
cast. II one of these should reac
an honest bank employee or cashier
the conspirators figured that he woul
laugh at 1t and tear it up. But SUI,
pose one of them fell into the hand
of. a man who was guilty of pee,
lations of some sort. Suppose, for fl
stance. old Andrew Elser, when hi
law business had failed him, had b.
gun to speculate with the funds b.
longing to the boy for whom he wa
guardian. His speculations are III
fortunate. He plunges and loses sti
more. He becomes desperate H
sees no way of replacing the none
he has stoleh 1t seems certain thu
his crime will be discovered and tia
he, will be disgraced, He can NJ
s.eep nights His brain, constant
agitated by fear and worry will NJ
permit him to rest His judgmen
never acute. or he would not have b
come thief. becomes more and NOR