Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11

velope. -. noess,re
wac typewritten. The detectlVe ulu
not read it aloud, but as ooked over
his shoulder, we two nne ~
tents at the same time.
There was no address, no prellnl-
mary greeting of n sort. but II was
dated "Friday." Then the message
.Tonight is the time. After n
~onndtt meeting. Don't be afraid:
Won can never be found out. i WnH
protect you and look out for you.' -
There was no signature. 1 read the
lines twice. but even then was uilanle
to sense their purport. I took,.tne
sheet from Markham and scrutlnizea
it closely. Meanwhile, he examined
the envelope. y
There could be no doubt OF its
g~enuineness. 1t was addressed, IN
ftypeWriting, to Mrs. David a
Wyck. Buttonwood Terrace, Town,
and it bore the postmark of W
before, and of the Crescent Falls VII
Ilage postofice. A postmark on tho
back showed that it had been mailed
Friday morning and received the
same afternoon. It had been opened
neatly, and gave every evidence of be-
ing a letter received n read by
Anne Van Wyck on Friday. And it
was on Friday night that David Van
Wyck had died.
The half sheet Of paper was UNI
doubtedly from the same box. Of sta
tionery as the envelope, both were of
good style, rather large-sized and of
good quality.
Mr.. Markham read it over several
times, and at last he said, This Is Of
very grave import. You did quite
right. Mrs. Carstairs, to bring it to
me. Where did you find it?"
! VT was in a. book, which lay on q
table in Mrs. Van Wyck's dressing
room. I CHANGED to pick up the book
to put it away in its place, and this
letter fell out"
"And you deliberately read it," I,
exclaimed and I daresay I glared at
her. s.
perhaps I ought not to have done
ing that in such a mysterious case as
we have before us now, certain on
ventional rules may be laid aside"
II quite agree with you, madam"
said the detective, land I can't help
thinking that this as a most import
ant piece of evidence. Is it your
habit to look after Mrs. Van, Wyck's
belongings?"
'It is my duty to see that her
rooms are kept in immaculate order.
And unless I show a certain amount
become a little careless in their care
Of the appointments of her dressing
table and such matters. And so, as
4 was in there this morning on a tour
of inspection, I found this letter, as
1 have told you." <
i was absolutely crushed. I felt as
ifsa black mantle had fallen over mo
like. an e%nveloping pail. Not for a.
moment did I believe Anne guilty,
even of completely in her husbands
death; but | realized that my refusal
! Htok believe it wa based solely on my
! u~1willingness to do so. However, the.
\ thought flashed through my mind
! that this letter was dangerous and it
) must be destroyed or suppressed. I
knew. too, that Mr.. Markham was
ready and age to'make use of 1t and
7 1 concluded that the only thing I
could do was to beg for time.
So I said: II quite agree with you.
: Mr.. Markham, that this is a serious
you will both be willing to agree to
t my proposition. which is to gay moth
, ing about it for a day or two. Let.
, us. 1T least. wait until after Mr.. Van
, Wyck's funeral, which takes place to-
morrow afternoon. I think it only
? decent courtesy that all investigation
| should be postponed until after that"
$ Mr.. Markham considered this mat
l ter. 1T might be we'll to adopt that
: course" he said. slowlyg.s" though Of
: course I shall conduct personally and
: privately any Investigation 7 choose.
! But I'm Quite willing to agree THAT
+ the whole matter shall not be men
ltioned to any member Of the family
l until after the funeral"
Continued in tomorrow
Evenings Herald.