The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-08-13

that the unknown enemy had In fact
used every endeavor in Henry Aliens
behalf before the trial and throughout
tn course.
Marshall. content that his theory had
proved acceptable. changed to another
phase Of the subject =
"And as remember you got the
warning red card the next day after
your nomination for governor"
"Well?"
perhaps there's pothing significant
In that fact" the detective admitted:
but I wanted to verify my memory.
Now there's one other thing I must
speak Of" Marshall hesitated. with
evident embarrassment. TITS a DELI
cate point to touch on with a man." he
explained. but I've got to do It."
Wainwright nodded consent.
TITS about your wife," the detective
declared c~onstrainedly. "She's worried
about something"
For a moment stern d~ispleasure
flashed from W~ainwnght's clear gray
eyes: then the expression died as
swiftly.
"Ah. you've noticed that" he ex-
claimed. A troubled frown bent his
brows. "Yes." he said duly, at last.
1T would seem so, perhaps. 1. too. have
noticed-something."
"Have you ever told her about the
cards." Marshall inquired.
II did not wish to worry her"
"Have you questioned herr"
"Yes. I shall not tell you precisely
what answer she made. It would have
no bearing. 1t s enough for you to
know that it was merely a pretty little
sentimental reason-one that seemed
natural enough too"
swell. we still seem to have nothing
definite to 60 on" the detective grum-
bled. Anyhow. I'm much inclined to
believe the thing is actually done
with"
Wainwright moved uneasily in his
chair and dropped n hand carelessly
on the table beside which he sat. His
fingers touched the book Of poems
from which he had been reading re-
Gently. He picked up the volume idly.
'"Then. you really think" he continued
listlessly. that the gentleman who
sends the cards Is just a harmless
crank?"
yes" Marshall said confidently. II
think that's really just about the size
Of this enemy Of yours. It's been
somebody masquerading as the Mas
ter Mind. The chap will never 60 any
further" Wainwright listened cour-
teously, but the detectives words a
ried no conviction to him. He was re-
6ecting on the fact that an ordinary
harmless lunatic would be little likely
to display the ingenuity and the re-
source and the %pertinacity that had
characterized his enemy in the matter
of following him everywhere with the
cryptic cards. The timing of the send
ing of the cards. n to reach him at
the time Of his triumph Of love. an
other at the time Of his triumph of
ambition. was enough to proclaim the
diabolical cunning of his foe and to
augur i'll Of his abilities for the future.
At the thought of the red card VAIN
wright moved %nervously. The fingers
that gripped the book closed tightly en-
it. In the movement their tips touch
ed something that projected beyond
the leaves. Mechanically. without any
curiosity whatsoever. he glanced down.
Then. very slowly. he stiffened in his
chair. staring ixedly toward the vol
ume. His face lost its clear color
ing and swiftly showed a dull pallor
and set in new l%ines-lines of dread.
why" Marshall continued. II once
knew a very similar case. in which,
He halted his speech abruptly. for he
had CHANGED to look up at the man op-
posite him and was astounded. "Good
God!" he cried. "What's the matter.
man."
Wainwright made no answer in
words: only raised the book and drew
forth from between the leaves a blank
black card and rested motionless. hold
ing it stiffly in front Of him.