The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1913-03-01
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1T might be up at his boarding
house"
ut might be-" said Miss Cox.
1t came to me that If Davis had
thought it worth while to go to the
Widow Smiths to make inquiries. it
might be worth my while, too After
asking Miss Cox for directions, told
her | was going to see IL Rouser's
wheel was missing, and made my way
up one of the side streets to the
clearinghouse. Davis visit evidently
had rufied the widow. / found her
in anything but a communicative
mood.
III you're another Of those detec-
tive men coming prying around here"
she said. you might just as well get
out. I've said all I'm going to say,
and that's all there is to It."
Please don't mistake me for q de-
tective," l said as pleasantly as ]
could. 'Tm-a-friend Of Miss Cox
down to the post-office and we were
wondering whether Charlie had taken
his bicycle when he went away. and
Miss Cox thought you might know"
If you're friend Of Jennie Cox"
said Mrs. Smith, II guess I'd be likely
to know it, being her own cousin and
knowing as well as / know my own
face that she hasn't had man friend
for eleven years, since Aleck Thomp-
son died. As for Charlie Rouser going
away on his bicycle. l don't know
nothing about 1t. All know Is his
wheel amt here. but he never kept
1t here anyway. He always kept 1t
down to the post-ofice."
With that she slammed the door
In my face. but went away well sat
isfed. AS L walked down the dusty
path Of the so-called street toward
the hotel reviewed all had learned
and was delighted to think how
amazed Davis would be when l pre-
sented my facts gathered In the last
twenty-four hours. which were these:
Hugh Crandall was aware that we
were on his trail.
Unable to learn anything from Lou
Use over the telephone. he had dared
to go to the Parrish home.
He had so intimidated Louise that
she had asked me to withdraw at once
from the inquiry.
Acting on her fears, he had persuad-
ed her to accompany him to some
place In New Jersey.
Lock Box IL was used for the mail
of some one who had taken the alias
of Henry Malcolm Stewart.
All the mail that came to that ad-
dress was taken care of by Charlie
Rouser, the postmaster.
Rouser was in the habit of going
at frequent intervals either on his
bicycle or in buggy out on the road
that led away from the station.
Rouser. when he disappeared. I'M
doubtedly had gone away on his b.
cycle.
Everything. to my mind, pointed to
his having gone to meet Crandall.
How to account for the fact that
Rouser had not returned was still a
poser to me, but as reviewed Gran
dall's connection with the chain of
persons who had been driven to death
found myself believing that 1t was
not at all out Of the range of posi-
bility for Crandall to have made away
with Rouser for fear of betrayal. From
all / had learned about the missing
postmaster, was convinced that he
was weak rather than vicious, and l
felt that he probably was an innocent
party to the nefarious plot of the vel
low letters. Davis story that it was
crime of two persons, after all, was
only a theory. When the mystery was
cleared up was positive that the only
criminal who would be uncovered
would be Hugh Crandall l shuddered
as recalled that Louise even now was
somewhere with him, not exactly
alone. to be sure, for the car was
driven by her chauffeur, but still 1t
was a most disconcerting thought.
As approached the hotel saw
buggy stop before it. the occupants Of
which we're Davis and the constable.
AS Davis dismounted heard him say
to the constable:
IOn1gnt at eight.
I'll be on hand. you bet." said the
constable as he drove of.
Il quickened my steps and overlook
Davis just as he started up the stairs
to his room.
i've got some great news for you"
I whispered and went on up with him.
The minute he got into the room he
flung himself on the bed. as II utterly
worn out. and lighted a cigarette.
had expected that he would be eager
to question me but this did not seem
to be the case. He lay there with eyes
half closed as II unaware Of my pres
ence.
Annoyed as was at his seeming in
difference, was sure that when told
him my amazing news about Crandall
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