Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-05-28
CHAPTER xvl.-tcontlnusd.)

As Davis finished reading the let
ter I took 1t 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 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 l
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
fits face 1t appeared to present the
harmless within of an old mans slight
ly unbalanced brain. l turned to
Davis for an explanation.
IAN ingenious letter." Davis was
saying. And they fell for it?"
A look of pride came into the pris-
Uner's face.
Wasn't it great" he exclaimed.
why, they ate 1t up like hot cakes!"
Just plain blackmail," said the in.
spector.
mo, indeed-fancy blackmail," said
Young Indignantly. They never had
1t dished up to them quite in this way
before. insist, If I've got to go to
Jail for It, on at least receiving credit
for new criminal invention"
II fail to see," / interrupted, lust
how the letter was criminal one or
why it should have bothered any
one"
'Tm afraid you will never make a
good detective" said the inspector
pityingly. Don't you see how 1t
worked? Young devised this letter.
He needed the cooperation Of some
one in the post office to send 1t out
without arousing suspicion. He tried
yellow letters first on General Far.
IRISH to test the terrifying effects
Satisfied that his yellow letter plan
would bring results, he recalled his
acquaintance with Rouser, whom he
knew to be weak and easily led. He
returned to Ardway--his old home
and found It childs play to enlist
Rouser's services. 1t was part of his
general scheme for Rouser to send
and receive all the mail through q
lock box with a false name. His OBJ
feet in this was to enable him, in
case the postal or police authorities
got on his trail, to have all the docu
mentary evidence point to Rousel
alone. Before his connection with the
letters could be established he could
make his escape with the money the
letters brought in"
II still don't see," protested, how
these letters could bring in money
5EThey read exactly the opposite. They
promise to give away money"
That's the cleverest thing about
It" the inspector said, and Young!
malevolent eyes glistened at thil
tribute. Cant you see how 1t work
ed? Young and Rouser, from ta1
lists, bank directories, from telephon,
books--from a variety of sources
complied list of persons employed
in positions of trust and began send
ing out these yellow letters broad
cast. II one of these should reacl
an honest bank employee or cashier
the conspirators figured that he would
laugh at 1t and tear It up. But sup
pose one Of them fell into the hand!
of man who was guilty Of pecu
lations of some sort. Suppose. for in
stance, old Andrew Elser, when bill
law business had failed him, had be
gun to speculate with the funds be
longing to the boy for whom he wal
guardian. His speculations are I'm
fortunate. He plunges and loses still
more. He becomes desperate. H,
sees no way Of replacing the none!
he has stolen. It seems certain tina
his crime will be discovered and tina
he viii DO disgraced. He can no
sleep nights. His brain, CONSTANT!
Rgitated by fear and worry, will no
permit him to rest His judgment
never acute, or he would not have be
Nomo a thief, becomes more and morU