Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-06-12

the large table where was lying book
he had seen Wainwright reading often,
book Of love poems.
The Master Mind took from an inner
pocket a card Of pasteboard, blank,
which he placed between the leaves of
the book, in such fashion that 1t pro-
truded noticeably, and so left 1t lying
there. For long minute he stood look
ing down In sinister glOatlng; then,
with a sardonic chuckle, he turned and
went out.
The card was black.
Marshall, the Pinkerton detective en-
gagged by Wainwright to ferret out the
mystery Of the cards by tracing them
to their source, had wholly failed In
accomplishing anything whatever in
that direction.
Tonight he had come to the mansion
under the guise Of a participant In
Wainwright's campaign work. as he
had done frequently hitherto, In order
yet once again to review with his prln-
cipal the facts of the case In a final
desperate hope Of CHANGING on some
neglected item that might suffice as a
clew to definite information.
"Well what do you think Of It"
Wainwright demanded in his library,
The detectives face, too, indicated
like depression Of spirit.
might as well be frank" he said
reluctantly ~ must confess, Mr..
wainwright, that this thing has got me
stumped'
"Can't we get any help from the post
office inspectors2" Wainwright sug-
gested.
They've been doing what they
could" Marshall replied, but they
haven't got anything yet"
ITS been two months now since the
coming of the red card" Wainwright
mused.
1.-THE longer the betterP the detec-
tive exclaimed energetlcally. ITS be-
ginning to look to me as If the chaps
nerve might be peteling-as If you'd
never get that black card, the one to
mean real business, Take 1t from me,
Mr. Wainwright It's just one Of those
cranks that are always annoying pub
lie men. Why, 1t stands to reason
when you come to think of 1t. You
see, the sender Of those mysterious
cards claimed to be Henry Aliens |
brother. Well, now, that fits In with |
my theory, because nobody ever heard |
If Henry Aliens brother at any other
ime. If there really had been such a
Drother he would have appeared to aid |
Ienry at the time of the trial"
Wainwright was not In the least
He remembered the fact
hat the unknown enemy had in fact
sed every endeavor In Henry Aliens
ehalf before the trial and throughout
Is course.
Marshall, content that his theory had
proved acceptable, changed to another
'hase Of the subject.
And as | remember you got the
warming red card the next day after
our nomination for governor"
"WellW
Perhaps there's nothing significant
n that fact" the detective admitted;
but wanted to verify my memory.
Vow there's one other thing must
peak Of" Marshall hesitated, with
yldent embarrassment. 'Tt's dell.
ate point to touch on with a man." he
but I've got to do it."
Wainwright nodded consent.
TITS about your wife," the detective
eclared constralnedly. She's worried
bout something"
For a moment stern displeasure
Iashed from WNInwrlght's clear gray
yes; then the expression died as
wiftly.
"Ah, you've noticed that" he ex-
lalmed. A troubled frown bent his
'rows. "Yes," he said duly, at last,
1t would seem so, perhaps. l, too, have
lotlced--somethlng.n
Have you ever told her about the
ards" Marshall inquired
Il did not wish to worry her"
Have you questioned herT
Yes. shall not tell you precisely
what answer she made. 1t would have
10 bearing. 1t Is enough for you to
Know that 1t was merely pretty little
reason one that seemed
natural enough too"
"Well, we stlll seem to have nothing
leHnite to 20 on" the detective grum.
,led. Anyhow, I'm much inclined to
believe the thing Is actually done
With"
wainwright moved uneasily in his
hair and dropped one hand carelessly
m The table beside which he sat. His
ingcrs touched the book of poems
rom which he had been reading re.
emily, He picked up the volume idly. l.
Then, you really Think he continued
istlessly, that the gentleman who
lends the cards Is just a harmless
'rankT
"les," Marshall said confidently. az
hlnk that's really Just about the size
Il this enemy Of yours It's been
masqueradlng as the Mas
er Mind. The chap viii never 20 any
urther" Wainwright listened cour
eously, but the detectives words car
tn1 nn cnnVi,tt,n g., hin, n -