Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-04-02

AUTHOR OF THE CITY THAT WAS, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED 6THdrryR .GriSSin6er


amt happy. What you need is CON-
promise said l. An next morning it
come to me. Maybe the spirits sent
it. You can laugh, Inspector MCGEE,
but there's something in this spirit
thing. I used to think there was. an
then again I'd think there wasn't
even in my own clairvoyance.
'WeH, anyhow, It came to me like
fash-boarders! 1 could run my
house just the way l wanted, because
needn't look out for profits. An
could take jest who l wanted and shut
out whoever l didn't want. The
thought chirked me a lot So l fixed
all the bedrooms up sensible with good
white and gold beds and adult size
towels an gave them all little fxy
touches that made them homelike.
An | was jest ready to begin 70
look around an advertise when-this
happened. The idea struck me as
soon as l saw the state of the people
in that house. The police would put
it under guard. an the boarders would
be out of a home. So l moved EN-
over bodily, all but the one you
pinched-the sick little dago woman
from upstairs. an the two girls, and
that funny old Professor Noll. An I'm
even putting up with the landlady-if
it was other peoples troubles I was
lookin' for, l got 'em all right"
Gee" calculated Martin MCGEE. 81
can use you"
Yes, you can," interrupted Resale,
but you won't. l know what you
want. You want me to go to work an
help cinch this case. Well, l won't.
I'm out of that business, too. What
I'm here for, Martin McGee-beyond
the pleasure l always took in your
ciety"-here Resale let her dimples
play and fash-'is to tell all know
or saw, SOS you won't be calm me
at the inquest an gettin' me fea-
ture in the papers"
How about this man North?" asked
the Inspector.
We'll, in the first place, like him."
said Resale; Il like that boy. Looks
like al alibi for him when the land
lady says he come up the stairs only
4 IIIIIIulS bSIO1O NC hO4ISl Gu, az IlS
doctor says that this Hanska had been
dead two or three hours. Appeared to
me like he was jest Jared out Of
drunk, too. How about this Lawrence
Wade or whatever his name was-the
man who called with the bag? Got
him?"
He was arrested this morning in
Boston"
'Sldppin'? Looks bad. But now,
Inspector, just to close things up, I'm
out of this case. I've given you all
know. Your police will be botherin
my boarders a lot with questions; an
so will the reporters. Just trust me
to steer that You keep me out"
Martin MCGEE sighed.
All right, Resale; but I'd like
your help. Still, I owe you lots of
good turns, and the case don't look as
mysterious, after all. guess it's that
fellow Wade"
q guess probably" admitted Rosa
lie. Most mysteries amt mysteries
at all after the first day. Well, now,
I'm botherin' a busy man in office
hours an l must run along. Let's
see-fve minutes to four, an it's bad
luck to go before the hour. Suppose
you tell me about yourself an how
the worlds usin' your
Inspector MCGEE sat back in his
office chair and waxed eloquent How
ever, his narrative Of pulls and pro-
motions and Tammany influence was
never finished. For before the hour
struck, the silent attentive doorman
entered and laid on his desk a card.
Inspector MCGEE took it up, glanced at
it perfunctorily, and suddenly let out
an exclamation which had all the
power and verve of an oath.
by the great cats!" he exclaimed,
look at that-'Mrs. John H. Han
ska"
Resale took the card and fingered
it.
THE widow, l bet"
Thought he was single" remarked
the Inspector. Though, after all, I'd
just been taking it for granted"
Well" said Rosalie, rising. that's
come-again-soon for me-"
But the Inspector was observing her
with eyes which held quizzical invita-
| ton.
Honest now," he said. wouldn't
| you like to sit in on this interview"
| Rosalie flashed her dimples and con-
| templated him for a second. Then,
with the unexpected lightness which
marked all her movements. she sat
| down.
See here, Martin MCGEE" she said
you amt goin' to make fool of me,
draggin' me into this case-but I'm
dying to listen just the same"
Show them in" said the Inspector
on the instant, and as though fearing
that she would pull back her permits
sion.
But not unless she's willing" said
Resale. as they waited.
| And then through the door came two
women.
Good Lord!" commented Rosalie
under her breath.
CHAPTER III.