The Forrest City times., 1913-01-10

l house."
 Tt might be-" said Miss Cox. It 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 l was going to see if Rouser's 8 wheel was missing, and made my way up one of the side streets to the boarding Davis visit evidently had ruffled the widow. I found her | in anything but a communicative mood.
 "If you're another of those detec- tive men coming prying around here" :" she said, you might just as we'll 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," I 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 knew"
 If you're friend of Jennie Cox" said Mrs. Smith. q guess I'd be likely to know it. being her own cousin and knowing as we'll as l know my own face that she hasn't had a man friend for eleven years, since Aleck Thomp- son died. As for Charlie Rouser going away on his bicycle, I don't know nothing about it. All I know is his wheel ain't here, but he never kept it here anyway. He always kept it down to the post-oflice"
 With that she slammed the door i'll my face. but I went away well sat isfied. As I walked down the dusty path of the so-called street toward the hotel l reviewed all l had learned and was delighted to think how amazed Davis would be when I 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 Lon. ise 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 F 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 a buggy out on the road that led away from the station.
 Rouser. when he disappeared. un- doubtedly had gone away on his bi- 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 1 reviewed Cran- dall's connection with the chain of persons who had been driven to death l found myself believing that 1t was not at all out of the range of possi- bility for Crandall to have made away with RCuser for fear of betrayal. From all l had learned about the missing postmaster, l 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 lgt rie.f crime of two persons, after all, was only theory. When the mystery was cleared up I was positive that the only criminal who would be uncovered would be Hugh Crandall. I shuddered as 1 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 most disconcerting thought
 As l approached the hotel saw a | buggy stop before it. the occupants of which were Davis and the constable As Davis dismounted I heard him say | to the constable;
 Tonight at eight"
 "Tll be on hand, you bet" said the constable as he drove of.
 l 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 If utterly worn out and lighted a cigarette. had expected that he would be cage, to question me but this did not seen to be the case. He lay there with eyes half closed as if unaware of my pres ence.
 Annoyed as 1 was at his seeming in difference. was sure that when tolc him my amazing news about Crandal and my discoveries about the post master he would be effectuall, aroused. l took 1t for granted that hi mood was due to despondency owe his failure to find either of them.
 T have seen Hugh Crandan twice no, three times. today" l said by wa, or beginning. and I have found ou |