Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-08

Rutht0."
ion was worried, but laid the delay to
Pell's ha bits and the necessity possibly
of avoiding the police.
But when Drake arrived with the
morning papers and said nothing artic-
ulate and only pointed to the headlines
on the first page both Wilkerson and
Mrs. Darnell knew that something had
happened again to spoil their plans. II
was WilkersOn who snatched up the
paper and read the news:
HOTEL THIEF HURLED TO DEATH
Guests Of the Manx Hotel Have Fierce
Struggle With Hotel Robber
Shortly before midnight last night Miss
Ruth Gallon. guest at the Hotel Manx,
entered her room to find masked man
footing her desk. Her cry for help fright.
ened the thief. and ne made for the fire
escape. followed by Mr.. John Dorr.
another guest, who heard Miss Gallons
call Mr.. Dorr pursued the man to the
roof and in the ensuing struggle the des-
perado was either flung or fell to the
street below. He was instantly killed.
Shortly afterward the body was identi-
fed by the police as that OF Samuel Price.
alias Henry Pell. an ex-convict and drug
fiend
Wilkerson read no further. BE turn.
ed his CHASTITY face ON Mrs. Darnell
and said huskily, "He's dead!"
We'll, be won't tell any tales" was
the cold response. The question is.
did he get the papers?"
To this question there was no salts.
factory answer until Wilkerson read
down further and learned that nothing
of value had been found on Pell's body
$50 he didn't get the deeds. and Ruth
still has Them" Mrs. Darnell said bit
terly. THAT is the way all your plans
succeed"
Wilkerson flushed There Is one
comfort" be said In an ugly tone
''Dorr is to be held for killing him"
For how long?" sneered Jean "Un
til his friends get him out. And mean
while you do nothing
She continued In this strain for somt
time. Drake and Wilkerson moodily
listening. They knew that If she once
threw the affair up they would be help
less and all their time aud work and
money would have gone for naught
Wilkerson was thinking quickly. Sud
denly he interrupted Jean to ask fol
pen and ink. She got them, and he sat
down at the table to write. Drake anC
Mrs Darnell kept up desultory con
versation until he had finished.
There was Il queer look In Jeans
eyes as she took the sheet he handed
her and glanced at the writing. ~ SET
you still can do it." she murmnred
READ it," he growled.
Mrs Darnell read 1t through silently
and then aloud:
Dear Ruth-l hate to ask you to com,
| down and see me in the Jail. but | hav,
| Bring the papers too JOHN DORR.
Are you sure he is in jail?" demand
| ed the woman when she had finished
And what is the idea of getting the
papers into his handsY"
He'll Just turn them over to Ev
erett." muttered Drake.
| Wilkersun smiled slyly. THE ide,
is that Drake here will disguise him
self as a chauffeur. take this note t,
| the hotel. see that 1t reaches Ruth ant
then drive her supposedly to the Jail
but really to where III meet him"
They discussed the plan and at las
agreed that it was feasible. Dr:,k
himself saw nothing dangerous in !
so long as Wikerson was to meet hin
j alm lnke Ruth of his hands. Fl
promptly proceeded to dress hin'StI
as a chauffeur and went whistlin
away to a garage after receiving ey
plicit instructions as to what street
he was to take and where he was {
meet Wilkerson.
It was an hour later that Drak
drove his rented car up before the ht
tel and delivered his note. II fOuu
Ruth still deep in conversation wit
! Tom Kane and yet anxious for the E,
turn to Dorr and Everett. On til
presentation OF the note which Wilkel
l son had forged she instantly too
i alarm.
"John must be in trouble and Nj
Everett can't get him out" she salt
Hes written for me to come down I
the jail and see him and bring the N
pers."