Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1918-02-22

I'm afraid you wouldn't receive much
courtesy with that introduction" he
said to me. That's ALL" to the typist,
''and give II to me to sign.
"lt'll take you to any of our ports"
he went on, turning to me once more,
ION any of our boats, any time you
please. Don't thank me; some day I'll
point with pride to having started you
on a career. Good afternoon"
He handed me the paper, and l left
him there, an idea in my head that his
letter had made possibility. ! would
voyage on one of the Thurston Line
steamers and see for myself whether
Thurston's idea was a practically;
regardless of his confidence in his
management, he was doubtless no
more economical than the rivals he
condemned.
bought newspaper to find on the
shipping page the sailings of his fleet.
and its front page flare OF red-typed
headlines gained first attention. The
story of the early morning hours was
told in full, but there was no addition
al information save conjectures. The
body had not been identified, and
there was nothing resembling def
mite clue to Identification.
The shoes bore the imprint of Q
Paris manufacturer, the gloves were
Americana well known make. There
were no markings on linen, no engrav-
ings on the jewelry, which was limit
ed to modest ruby ring and gold
necklace chain with small Swiss
watch, all in excellent taste and ex-
pensive, but not individual in any
way.
Nobody had been found at the st.
Dunstan who had heard a shot in the
night or would admit any knowledge
of the affair. Neither had there been
the customary volunteers of informa-
ton of mysterious cabs or taxis, fur
tive strangers or night providers. It
seemed a case particularly devoid Of
starting places for investigation.
When / read the story | turned to
the shipping page and clipped out the
sailing schedule of the Thurston Line.
They made ports all the way down
/ the coast from Mazatlin to Valparai-
so. ! should study the map of South
America before deciding upon my first
voyage, get down my encyclopedia and
learn little of the cities and coun-
tries to which / now might go. 1t
would be pleasant work for that eve
ming.
At the st. Dunstan, waiting for me,
found Edwards and Holme of the
Sentinel. The latter was one of the
young men who, was willing to ad
NIT, had beaten me in the race for
news. He had come to us from STAN
ford University and was a born news
paperman, and they are not born ev-
cry minute. / am not going into es-
sentials of reporter, for this is de-
cidedly not a newspaper story; but
Holme had them all.
Edwards began on me with plea to
resume work on that paper; at least
to stay by until the murder was ex-
planned or had passed from the front
page-a request which | promptly
negatived, excusing my perversity on
the plea of intended travel In the inn
mediate future. Then my city editor
asked me to help Holme.
"Gilly," he said, you have happen
ed on that impossible situation for
reporter, accidentally becoming an
actor in a real mystery story. You
know more of this affair than any in
he In1
helping hand"
| agreed to that readily enough, in SO
far as my present knowledge might
be of assistance. "Pll cough up all
have" | said, land I'll surmise and
conjecture to the limit of my guess
work; but l won't get out on it and
run it down."
very good" said Edwards. I'll
leave it then to you and Holme."
"To Holme," l declared emphatical-
ly. .In no way am l connected with
the Sentinel in this. AS friend Of
the paper and of you and Holme I'll do
what can. That's ALL"
Understood. Good luck to you,
Gilly." and Edwards hurried away to
the office.
Holme grinned amiably. He seems
TO be scared of me-" he remarked.
You're still the babe to him. Come
up to my room and Wen talk" ] said.
steering him to the elevator. Just
notice how this machine works." l
suggested as we stepped inside. II
push the button for my floor, the sixth
see? and nothing happens because the
door Is open. close the door, then
push" We started up with the
smoothness of well-oiled mechanism.
Z (Which proves the door was closed
when you pressed the button last
night-this morning, / mean," said
Holme.
Just that and this much more.
When the elevator ran down from the
sixth floor a few seconds before
brought it back up with the lady
aboard, it either ran down empty as
the result of button call from the
first floor, or it ran down with the
corpse inside for the same call, or 1t
held in it the corpse and another, the
o.lo, ,,uobino tho hutton here for do