Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-19
Seuen Keys to Baldpate
BY EARL DERR BI0GERS
fCopyright by Bobbs- Merrill Coz

would you mind telling me why Miss
Thornhill came up to Baldpate to
join in the chase for the packages?
"Her motive replied the professor,
docs her great credit. For several
years her father, Henry Thornhill, has
been forced through illness to leave
the management OF the railways af-
fairs to his vice-presldent, Hayden.
Late yesterday the old man heard of
this proposed bribe-on his sick bed.
He WIS very nearly insane at the
thought of the disgrace it would bring
upon him. He tried to rise himself
and prevent the passing of the pack
age. His daughter brave, loyal
girl-herself undertook the task"
"Then," said Mr.. Magee, miss
Thornhill is not distressed at the loss
of the most important evidence In the
case"
II have explained the matter to
her." returned Professor Bolton.
There Is no chance whatever that her
fathers name will be implicated. Both
Drayton and myself have the highest
regard for his integrity, The whole
affair was arranged when he was toe
i'll TO dream of 1t. His good name will
be smirched in no way. The only
man involved on the giver's side Is
dead in the room above. The man we
are after now is Cargan. Miss Thorn
hill has agreed that 1t Is best to prose-
cute. That eliminates her"
Did Miss ThornhilI and Kendrick
meet for the first time, after his exile
up-stairs--in number seven ?"AIr. Ma
gee wanted to know.
Yes" answered Professor Bolton
- hi LOFT 10
den told Kendrick he was engaged to
the girl. It was the last letter Kend-
rick received from him."
There was pause.
1.-THE important point now the old
man went on, us the identity OF this
girl to whom you have made your
princely gift, out of the goodness of
your heart. l propose to speak to the
i woman she has introduced as her
mother. and elicit what information |
can
He crossed the floor, followed by
Mr.. Magee, and stod by the woman's
chair She looked up, her eyes heavy
with sleep, her appearance more
tawdry than ever in that faint light.
MADAM" remarked the professor,
with the air of q judge trying case,
your daughter has tonight made her
escape from this place with a large
sum of money earnestly desired by
the prosecuting attorney OF Reuton
county. In the name of the law, |
command you to tell no her destina-
ton and what she proposed to do
with that package of greenbachs."
The woman blinkod stupidity in the
dusk.
"She amt my daughter" she re-
Piled, and Mr.. Magee's heart leaped
up II can tell you that much. I
keep boarding house in Reuton, and
Missthe girl you speak about-has
been my boarder for three years. She
brought me up here as a sort OF
chaperone, though / don't see as I'm
old enough for that yet. You don't
get nothing else out of me-except
that she Is perfectly lovely young
woman. and your money couldn't be
safer with the President of the United
States"
The puzzled professor of Compare
tive Literature caressed his bald head
thoughtfully Ter" he remarked
Mr.. Magee could have embraced this
faded woman for her news. He looked
at his watch. 1t was twelye-twenty.
THE siege Is over" he cried. ~
will not attempt to direct your
actions any longer. Mr.. Peters. viii
you please go down to the village
and bring back Mr.. Quimby and-ths
/ coroner?''
"The coronerl' The mayor OF
Reuton Jumped to his feet. IT dom
want to be in on any inquest scene
Come on, Max, let's get out Of heras'