Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-02

TO this awe-inspiring place. not that she
feared for herself but her constant
thought was of her father and his safety,
and II seemed to her that they would
be thrusting their necks into moose to
venture thus into the laws domain.
Craig, however had assured them that
their Identity would be absolutely secret
for the present. They were again to be
Mr. and Mrs. Talcott. Mr.. Talcott, in
fact was the only name by which Bal
lantyne was known ZIP at his hotel.
MIR. Brookheld," said Craig, after he
had introduced his companions to the
Assistant District Attorney. 81 have
come to consult YOU about a matter of
considerable Importance. 1t relates to an
estate consisting Of a large amount of
negotiable bonds left by will to this lady.
She has been defrauded of them by a
man high I'm In financial crcles-so YOU
may appreciate the delicacy and impor.
tance of our mission" g
"Who is the man accused?" asked
Brookfield promptly.
do not be astonished when I reply
that he is J. Baron Helderman."
Billie saw the hands resting on the at
torncy's chair suddenly grip the wood
what do YOU suspect-what do you
know about Helderman. Craig?" asked
Brookfied suddenly deserting the for
mallty with which he had opened the in
terview and revealing himself n friend
Of Rutherfords as we'll as n person who
suspected something of j. Baron Helder-
man on his own account
Rutherford recalled to his memory the
episode of the diamond necklace, on
which case Crowder was still working and
striving to connect Hederman, but thus
far unsuccessfully. Then he narrated
the salient points in regard to the flying
visit to the Peninsula Bank. and how
successfully Helderman had worked his
skill to procure the bonds and other con-
tents of the box. intended for some one
else.
"l don't know how much or how little
you may know about Helderman," he
concluded but our chief difficulty is to
discover the exact contents of that box
he rined. and our next is to overcome
tho most perfect alibi a mortal man ever
invented. | am not sure but that is the
biggest difficulty, after all !"
81 quite agree with your last remark
quite !" rejoined BroclIfeld slowly. I'VE
have already had some experience with
this albi of Heldermans. What have
you already done in this last episode?"
Craig rapidly outlined the events of the
last few days. beginning his own expert
ences in>the South and telling OF Helder-
mans visit to the downtown bank, that
morning. in an endeavor to dispose of the
bonds He dwelt also upon Heldermans
arrogant self-possession.
"But you are not sure that these are
the same bonds?" asked Monty.
Not positive; but l practically made
him admit that they were. / haven't the
shadow of doubt in my mind"
Are you sure that Helderman went
South, at all?"
II wish I were!" said Craig ruefully.
but while am positive saw him down
there-others are as positive-but moi
quite--that they saw him up here!"
"And there you are"" commented
Brookfield. He had evidently heard this
sort of thing before.
"Only," went on Craig reluctantly, ION
that same night Crowder positively saw
him-or fancied he saw HMM his home
on Riverside Drive"
"Who2"
"Crowder"
"HumphH' growed Brookfield.
well, what do you think?' asked Craig.
''Only this, that Crowder or some one
SO near him that he could touch them, is
always the one to see Helderman-inno-
cent"
"Dou you mean that you suspect
Crowder-of-well, of what?" demanded
Rutherford, astounded by the implied
doubt in Brookfeld's words
This Helderman always proves his
allbi-how? Crowder and his companion
or companions always see him somewhere
else. Personally, | don't mind telling you
that 1 believe j. Baron Hederman to be
quite capable of all the mischief attrib-
uted to him. He is sort of DR.. Jekyll
and Mr.. Hyde. His business methods
even are so questionable that he is liza
BILE to get into serious trouble on that
score one OF these days: but i leave that
aside. He is apparently capable of petty