The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-10-05
''The CreviCe"
By Vim. J. Burns and Isabel Ostrander

Because he is man, and prepared
to protect and defend to the last ounce
of his strength the thing which he
loved better than life itself-the thing
which, but for him, stood helpless and
alone, surrounded by enemies and
hopelessly entangled In the meshes OF
a gigantic conspiracy"
You speak in riddles, Mr.. Blaine"
Mallowe's gray brows drew together
Riddle which will soon be answer
ed, Mr.. Mallowe. Miss Lawton's nat
ural protector-her father-had been
ruthlessly removed by-death. Only
Mr.. Hamilton stood between her and
the Vaccinations of those who
thought they had her in their power.
Therefore, Mr. Hamilton was also re-
moved, temporarily. Do make myself
quite clear now"
1T Is impossible. Incredible! What
enemies could this dear child here
have made, and who could wish to
harm her? Besides, am l not here?
Do not any Of my friends stand in loco
PARENTS to herr"
LAS you doubtless are aware one OF
Miss Lawtons pseudo-guardians, at
least, has involuntarily resigned his
wardenship," Blaine remarked.
"You refer to the sudden death last
night of my associate, Mr.. Rocka-
more?" Mallowe shook his head dolor-
ously. "A terrible accident! The
news was an inexpressible shock to
me! It was to comfort Miss Lawton
for the blow which the loss Of this de-
voted friend must be to her that I
came today"
81 fancy the loss itself will be con-
ISOLATION enough, Mr.. Mallowe. The &C.
cident was tragic, of course. 1t takes
more courage, perhaps, than to spill in
to glass an ingredient not usually In
cluded in a Scotch highball, let US
say"
"Mr. Blaine, If you are inclined to be
facetious. sir, let me tell you this is
neither the time nor place for an at
tempt at jest! When Miss Lawton
called you in, the other day, and en-
gagged you to search for Mr.. Hamil-
ton"
"Oh, she didn't call me in then, Mr..
Mallowe! I've been on the case from
the start, all this last month, in fact,
and In close touch with Miss Lawton1
every day" ...
Mallowe started back, the light of
comprehension dawning swiftly in his
eyes, only instantly to be yelled with
film of craftiness.
What case?" he asked. Ramon
Hamilton has not been missing for
month"
1.-THE case Of the death Of Penning-
ton Lawton! The case of his fraudu-
lently alleged bankruptcy! The case
Of the whole damnable conspiracy to
crush this girl to the earth, to i'm
poverish her and tarnish the fair name
and honored memory Of her father.
It's cards on the table now, Mr. NAL
lowe, and I'm going to win!"
you must be mad" exclaimed the
older man. This talk of conspiracy is
ridiculous, absurd"
"Mr. Rockamore called me mad
also, yesterday afternoon, standing
just where you stand now, Mr.. Nal.
lowe" The detective met the lowering
eyes squarely. "Yet he went home
Internationally shot himself! A
curiously opportune shot that! Miss
Lawton's enemies depended too conf
IDENTIFY upon her credulity In accepting
without question the unsubstantiated
assertion Of her fathers insolvency.
They did not take into account the
possibility that their henchman, Pad
dington. might fail, or turn traitor;
that Mac Alarney might talk to save
his own hide: that Jimmy Brunell's
forgeries might be traced to their
source; that the books in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds might divulge
interesting items to those sufficiently
concerned to delve into the files of
past years! You discharged your clerk
on the fimsiest Of excuses. Mr.. NAL
lowe-but you did not discharge her
quite soon enough. Rockamore's
stenographer, and the switchboard
operator in Carlis' office,-who, like
your filing clerk, came from Miss
Lawton's club.-were also dismissed
too late AS have said, my cards are
on the table now. Are you prepared to
play yours?"
For answer, Mallowe turned slowly