The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-10-16


He matured his little scheme.
Through letter broker who deals
with the rag and refuse collectors, he
got all the second-hand mail from che
Caronia. Meantime, William Honey
well Robinson had moved away. and
as chance would have 81, William
Hunter Robinson moved in. receiving
the pin-prick letters which. had they
reached their goal. would probably
have produced the desired effect"
IF they drove sane man nearly
crazy, what wouldn't they have done
to one whose mind wasn't quite
right" cried the wronged Robinson.
But since Mr.. Honeywell is blind"
said Bertram, how could he see to.
erase the cancellations?"
"AE, That's what ! asked myself.
Obviously. he couldn't. He'd have to.
get that done for him. Presumably
he'd get some stranger to do 1t. ThsGs
why ! advertised for a professional
eraser who was experienced, iud. .ing
that it would fetch the person who
had done Honeywell's work"
lis there any such thing as a pro-
fessional envelope eraser?" asked
Bertram.
NO. So person OF experience in
this line would be almost unique.
was sure to find the right one, IL he
or she saw my advertisement. As a
matter OF fact. II turned out to be an
unimaginatiye young woman who has
told me all about her former employ
ment with Mr.. Honeywell apparently
with no thought that thers was any
thing strange in erasing cancellations
from hundreds of envelopes--for
Honeywell was cautious enough not
to confine her to the Robinson mail
alone--and then pasting on stamps to
renal them"
You appear to have followed ont
my moves with some degree OF acu-
men, Mr.-er-Jones," said the blind
schemer suaveiy.
Yet | might not have solved your
processes so easily IL you had not
made one rather-if you will pardon
me-stupid mistake"
For the first time. the mans bioated
lips shook. His evil pride OF intel
lectuality was stung.
You lie!" he said hastily. Il do
not make mistakes
mo? Well. have 1t as you will. The
point is that you are to sign here a
statement. which ! shall read to you
before these witnesses, announcing
for publication the withdrawal of your
contest for the Honeywell millions"
And IL l decline?"
THE painful necessity will be mine
OF turning over these instructive docu-
ments to the United States postal au-
thorities. But not before giving them
to the newspapers. How would you
look in court. In view OF this attempt
to murder fellowman's reason"
Mr.. Honeywell had now gained HIS
composure. "You are right" he as
sented. You seem to have singular
faculty for being right. Be careful It
does not fail you-sometime."
Thank you,' returned Average
Jones. Now you will listen. please.
all of you"
He read the brief document. placed
IL before the blind man, and set pin
between his finger and thumb. Sign
there" he said.
Honeywell smiled as he pricked in
his name.
For Identification. ! suppose" he
said. Am to assign no cause 10 the
newspapers for my sudden action?'
A twinkle of malice appeared in
Average Jones' eye.
Il would suggest waning mental
acumen," he said
The blind man WINGED palpably as
he rose to his feet THAT is the sec
ond time you have taunted me on that.
Kindly tell me my mistake"
Average Jones led him to the door
and opened it.
Your mistake" he drawled as he
sped his parting guest into the grasp
of waiting attendant. "was-er--in
not remembering that -er you
mustn't fish for bass in November.
Copyright, by the Bobbs-Merrill coas1
pany)