Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-04-11
CHAPTER V.
The Mvsferioue Ten.DoIIar BllIs.


The hotel buzzed that July morning.
Numbers of the male guests had, as
have said, joined in the search which
resulted in the finding Of the two bod
les. AS result the story of the
nights adventure began circulating
so soon as the first two got together
and were joined by third. The bell
boys. being human, talked too.
Heffy, full of importance. stalking
about the lobby and veranda, added
to the general excitement in subtle
manner, Little by little it became
known that the two bodies lay in the
card room; that they had died the
night before, and that for some reason
every guest was to be held until an
investigation was completed.
When l went down knots of men
were scattered about the lobby talk
ing in subdued tones-some with ges-
ticulations. Two or three were argu-
ing with the day clerk. fancted
them those who had intended leaving.
/ had bathed and changed my linen
"a sort of vicarious substitute for the
was close to seven, a- I had te'ten
plenty of time with my shaving and
toilet. Going back to the parlor I re-
ceived Duals assurance that he would
Join our breakfast-party later. -
slipped into the corridor and made
my way below.
found Dayton, Laredo, Heffy and
nuh o1r h IN
and joined them at once. Early risers
were beginning to trickle into the
dining room, and Heffy turned his
eyes in that direction. 1--WE fixed it
for a table," he announced. where's
your friend?"
Hell be down later" explained
II want to send tray up to Mrs.
GIace."C
He nodded. "Shall we wait for him
or go in?"
1--WE can wait in there as well as
here" decided.
At once he led the way, taking my
arm and placing himself at my side.
Il was Just tellin' the others that I'd
sent over and had Ute Charley's
brother brought in" he remarked.
Couldn't get much out of the feller,
though. He says Charley left the vii
lage bout eight last night an said he
was comm here.
II asked him II he had any money,
an he said no. Said Wingarde paid
'em for their trip, but that he took
Charley's part and put it away, to
keep Charley from boozing it all up.
He seemed some surprised to find
picked up twenty dollars some
where's if we don't know where.
Come on, that's our table over in the
corner"
We found seats and settled our
selves in them. looked over at Day
ton. How is Miss Wingarde now?"
asked.
Sleeping still, thank Heaven!" he
replied, his face lighting. "Really you
know shall never cease to be crate.
full to Mr.. Dual for his kindness to her
in this trouble. He has wonderful
tact"
Il believe you," Heffy cut in.
Dayton turned to face him. "You
know him?" he inquired.
Il know of him." said Heffy. "a
uster live in Glace's town--on the
f.rce.' This Dual pulled off some
mighty clever bits of work back
there. Cleared up some things that
had us all running in circles. never
got chance to see him work, but
heard he has some mighty funny
methods"
"You know'-Dayton took him uI
II don't think ever met a man JUS
like him. There's something abou
him one can't just understand. Yor
know-or maybe you don't, but Glact
and Senor Laredo do-that he sale
right from the first that Wingards
was dead. And he was right. Now
how did he know it?"
i leaned toward him.
"See here" l interrupted. "Yo,
Wingarde about the emerald and tn,
idol. Did he, perhaps, ask her any
thing about her fathers birth-date
also, or did you hear?"
Dayton lifted his eyebrows.
by Jove, you're an odd pair!" HI
declared. But you know how h
works, then, fancy. He did ask he
that-got her to talking about poo
Wingarde quite freely for bit. HI,
even wanted to know If she knew
what hour he was born in."
"And did she tell him?"
"Oh, yes! told you she seemed t,
feel quite at home with him from tn
FIRST. Funny. too, for Evelyn isn't on
to pick up with strangers. you know
But with Dual and your wife now
right from the start"
"Now," said I, ''let me tell you
Dual is engaged at present in an as
trolOgical calculation, the object @
which is to unravel the motive and ns
ture of what happened last night"
The waiter slid UP and sought ou
orders.
Dayton took tea, the rest of u