The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-04-17

could not imagine what had become
Of the girl. All be knew was that a
half hour ago she was In her office.
David found that he could no longer
think clearly. connectedly. Mingled
with his uneasiness OF what had hap
pened to Elsie Dickson we're q vague
terror and an unaccountable depres-
sion Of spirits.
Suddenly his fingers closed tightly
around the telephone. and he lifted
the receiver to his ear. He called Egg
bert Fanning's number and In five
minutes that astonished young man
was beside him listening to his story.
Its a mystery" declared David en-
phaticaIly. You show a glimmer Of
sense now and then, Bert. Tell me
what you think Of the matter"
"O-ho-a mysteryP' crowed Tanning
My dear David, why stir yourself up
over such simple matter2 The girl
has probably stolen few moments
to chat with the clerks In the outer
office, and, fearful of your displeasure,
they are shielding her absence"
Miss Dickson is not that Sort" re-
torted David holly. "She Is quite free
to come and go as she chooses. but
but His face was quite pale now,
and the amusement died out Of Fan
ning's gleeful countenance.
Just let me look around her office.
rm something of a. detective. you
know. Perhaps l can solve the mys-
terry"
Go ahead. my dear boy. OF course
there Is a solution to the myst-prob-
lem Of her disappearance. but I'm too
stupid to work 1t out now"
"Too rattledr' commented Tanning,
with keen glance at his friend.
TilIotson had turned back to the win
dow and was staring at the wall Of
the opposite building with unseeing
eyes.
"Have your permission to investi-
gate in all Departmental" asked Fan
ming briskly.
Yes. Anything. Only find herv'
"Ye gods!' muttered Tanning as he
entered Miss Dickson's Office. my
good David has struck the greatest
mystery In the world If he only knew
it. Poor beggar! Woman and her
reasons for doing thingsl
Now, let me see. Letters all typed.
handkerchief on floor and hat on nail.
These are my clews. Let me think
and prOwl and ponderr'
An hour later Egbert Tanning ceas-
ed his trotting to and fro from Office
to office, from room to corridor and
back again.
He came into David's presence mop
ping his heated brow with a snowy
handkerchief and wearing a triums
plant smile.
well. what luck2" asked David.
turning around
Mystery is solved" said flaming.
You're at the bottom Of 1t, Tillotson."
me? How?" stared the other
I'm the first place, for your careless
methods In trying to maintain two
lines Of thought at one and the same
time. When a man Is debating under
such circumstances there is every like
Iihood that his lines of thought will
become crossed and emit electric
sparks that are
''Cut out all the funny business, Fan
ming" interrupted David. Cant you
see that T.
"Of course any one can see that you
are ridlculously in love with that pref
ty, shy Miss DicksonP' put in Fan.
ming. otherwise why should you die
tate three out OF ten letters to her to-
day and open them with Dear Elsie
instead of Dear SirT Answer me
that"
Il never was guilty Of such wretch
ed blunders," protested the crimson
TillOtson. But Tanning was quite re-
morseless now.
Listen to the result of my invest-
cations. On top of the pile of type
written letters. which | may assure
you Miss Dickson had properly ad-
dressed. was an open letter to you. /
read 1t. Here 1t Is:
Dear Mr.. Tillotson-If you will take
the trouble to have my notebook examined
by an expert you will learn that for the
past week you have dictated many let
tiers which began In a very Coffensive
scratched out; David and unaccount-
able substituted) unaccountable manner
roday's experience Is more than | care to
repeat: consequently herewith tender my
resignation as your secretary, same to
take effect at once.
Thanking you for many courtesies re-
ceived in the past and regretting the ne
cessity for the step. very truly yours,
ELSIE DICKSON"
impossible! Incredible!" cried TIL
lotson. red with modification and vex-
alton.
Here Is the report of the expert.
had mercy on you, old fellow, and took
the book to the public stenographer in
the next building. You are convicted
IF ten Dear Elsies' and four Dearest
Elsies,' and | may as well confess, Da-
vid, that you called me Elsie twice
yesterday"
How did Miss Dickson get away
without my observing her?" interrupt
ed Tillotson.
Il traced that mystery out, too"
chuckled the amateur detectiva