davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
XIV.
WHO WROTE THE LETTER?

WHO WROTE THE LETTER?
the next day was Sunday. As the
inquest was not to be continued, I
hoped for a quiet day; but aside from
the necessary arrangements for fu-
neral appointments, there seemed to
be much going on in the way Of in
:vestigstions. Mr.. Markham had de-
veloped a tendency to question. every
body, right and left, and I continual
ly ran against him interviewing q
servant, a guest or a caller.
I hung around somewhat listlessly,
hoping to be permitted to see Anne;
but Miss Fordyce informed me that
Anne refused to see anyone except
her two step-children. \
I strolled out on the terrace, hop
ing to have talk with Archer, but in
stead, I met Mr.. Markham and he
proceeded briskly to interview me.
I. had no objection to this, as al
though there were a few things I
knew that I intended to keep from
him, I was quite willing to give him
freely any other information 1 pos
sessed.
But his talk after all, was a. repeti-
ton Of what I already knew, or a YER
bose disquisition on his own theories
and plans.
AS we talked, Mrs. Carstairs came
out or the terrace, and after a
cautious glance about, she glided up
to us, with a mysterious air.
"May>I speak to you q minute. Mr..
Markham" she said. and though I
disliked and distrusted the woman. I
could not help adniring her beauty
and grace. She was truly unusual in
her charm, and Markham beamed on
her with a smile at once admiring
and deferential.
Shall / remain ?'I asked--and Tor
the life Of me I couldn't help spaak-
Ing kindly 10 her----Mmor do / intruder.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11

Most Americans probably think of
all the Latin-American republics as
youthful, this being due, no doubt,
have marked the history of most of
them, n which give the impression
of i~mmaturity and transformers. And
yet the little republic of Ecuador has
just celebrated-on October 9, the
one hundredth anniversary of the in
dependence Of the province of Quay
aquil IAN event indissolubly> associat-
ed with the existence of the republic
, itself, and which has been celebrated
. each year for a century. In the
United States the day was marked by
a gathering at the Pan-American
Union building in Washington, at
which Fluctuations were rendered to
the representatives of the little
southern neighbor, and best wishes
were expressed for her continued prog
ress and prosperity.
Ecuador has two independence
days-one the anniversary Of the
Declaration Of Independence of Quito,
which took place August 10, 1909
and that of Guayoquil eleven years
later. Guayaquill was an important
port ever in those days, occupying
a strategic position on the Pacific,
and it was a favorite stronghold for
the Spanish royalists. They kept the
city well fortified and ~garrisoned and
saw to it that all revolutionary prop
uganda was promptly suppressed.
For this reason the city was COM
PEELED to remain loyal when the
flames of revolution were spreading
and patriots We're fighting for liberty
from Venezuela on the north to lower
Chile in the south. However, after
Bolivar had won the famous battle
of Boyaca, n San Martin and
O'Higgins had put a quietus on Span
ish dominion in Chile, these nqu
ors stood ready to help their less
fortunate brethren in n%eighboring
countries. In 1920, some leading
V~enezueaan patriots met with a num-
Der of those of Guayaquil at the house
of Jose Villamil at a ball which he
gave as blind. Z
It Is interesting to note that VIII
1amil was an American citizen, born
in the Province of Louisiana in 1888.
Wheni16 years of age, two years after
this, province had been purchased by
the United States, Villamil became
first sergeant In the first company
OF volunteer reserves. In 1910, while
visiting in Cadiz, he met the Span
ish-American patriots, Fernando
Lorenzo de Valesco Of Mexico and
Manuel sarratea of Buenos Aires with
whom he planned the emancipation
Of Spanish America. He subsequently
married in the city which he did SO
much to iiberate and held the high
est rank in the Ecuadorian military
service.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11

David Van Wyck lay in his own bed
room. Surely no man would descend
to that Don on a clandestine errand.
So 1 forced myself 20 believe Arch
er had told me the truth, and that he
a been in the cupboard, and as
soon as he emerged had answered my
call. 1t was a strange circumstance
but not so strange as the bizarre ex-
PLANTATION l had conjured up.
Besides, Morland had distinctly
stated there was no secret staircase
or anything Of the sort in the house.
But, urged my unquiet soul, did
Morland know? David Van Wycl1
was quitea capable of keeping such a
secret to himself.
And then In a sudden practical
mood, I seized a pencil and drew a
plan of the room as it must be. On
nthe ground floor a corridor ran be-
tween David Van Wyck's room and
the south wall of the house, to give
access to the study. But as the study
was two stories high, having no Sec
ond floor, there was no occasion for
this corridor on the second floor of
corresponding space above the corri-
dor, was completely filled by the
bathroom and the large clothes cup
board. / knew a little of practical
architecture n I proved to myself
beyond doubt that there was no space
for the concealed staircase 1 had i'm
agined. The walls of the old house
were substantial enough. but they
were by no means the thickness of
walls necessary to contain secret
staircases or dungeons, such as those
I loved to read of in Medieval his
tory. 1 could reckon plainly from
: what I knew of the rooms, just how
they connected with each other; and
1 could account for every inch of
space. Moreover, if a secret staircase
had led down from the bathroom OF
the cupboard Of Archer's room, it
would have dropped plumb into the
corridor below, as there was simply
no other place for it's outlet. ]
thought even of a spiral staircase,
such as that in the study, at the end
of the musicians gallery. But, 1 rea-
soned. that was fully four feet across:
and the walls, as I computed them,
were in no case more than ten inches
thick.
So with a certain feeling of re-
luctance, and yet with a sense of re.
lief, I gave up the idea Of a concealed
connection between Archer's room
and the room below, and turned the
trend Of my ~ponderings toward the
many and complex phases of the
greater mystery.
But when I finally fell asleep that
night, my dreamg were all Of rope
ladders and secret stairways, and
even vague visions of an elopement
on a pillioned white palfrey, with a
beautiful lady, who strongly resem-
bled Anne Van Wyck.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
ANARCHY AND DEMOCRACY

TN statement has passed into a
tl4IisIn that the a to cure the de-
fscts of democracy is to bring about
more democracy.
Ehe man who originated that state
nsez.t doubtless knewwhat he meant,
e1d probably he meant something in
NyAtchS most Of W will concur. But
Az & ltsnent has since been made to
4sgsdufy tn defense Of what would be
3lass sasstruction % all democracy.
xfSSRs1ocracy means government Of
Il eeApls Tor the peoplefand by the
Ns1plss Lincoln bhrased Ii accur-
asalS But 4 msanes gossrnmepfat
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
DIMINISHING GOLD SUPPLY.

Money. or that which represents
monav m the transactions OF trade
has been so plentiful III recent yea''
that it's purchasing power mas oeeii
cut in half, and yet gold, the coii-
modify on which the value OF MONEY
ia to be based, is scarce ana
becoming scarcer. Gold
has fallen off very decidedly, ana SO
great shas been the shrinkase tnaI
financial experts are dev'sing ways
and means to stimulate production.
One plan, which is to be formulated
in a bill to be presented at the open
ing of congress, provides for an in
crease of $40 an II i'll the price
OF gold sold by the United States for
industrial purposes. this difference to
be used as a bonus for the produc-
ton Of the precious metal.
The chief reason for the reduction
in the output is said to be the high
cost Of operation, mines which have
been worked until the era Of high
prices having lately been closed be-
cause they could no longer be oper-
ated except at q loss.
1t may be hat the proposed plan
will relieve the situation. Neverthe-
less. such a device is a makeshift, al
best. The prosperity Of millions Of
people depends very largely on the
relative scarcity or abundance of the
circulating medium. We hav come
a long way from reaching the right
solution of one of Jul great problems
when the prosperity of a large pro-
portion of the human race depends
on the mining of some million ounces
more or less, of n particular Metal
in a year
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
By CAROLYN WELLS
"Not at all" she ren,ied. ct shonl,

"Not at ALL" she replied; Il should
be glad, Mr.. Sturgis, for you to hear
what I have to say. I am in a di-
lemma, and I don't know exactly
what T ought to do, I found this"
and She produced a letter, which,
with a hesitating air, she offered to
Mr.. Markham. 81 hate to bring it to
YOU she went on, half Withdrawing
it as he was about to take it,, land
yet, I feel it my duty to do So"
Ina sure it is your duty, madam"
said the detective as he somewhat
eagerly took the letter from her hand.
I caught sight of the inscription
and a fierce anger kindled within me.
THAT is a letter to Mrs. Van
Wyck!' I exclaimed. "You have no
right to read it, MI. Markham! Mrs.
Carstairs. where did you get it?"
My vehemence seemed to brighten
her, and h c]asped her hands to her
breast with a little fluttering motion.
ooh, have I done wrong? Shall L
put it back? I thought thought
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
INTRODUCE RESOLUTION
FOR FIGHTING HOPPERS

Winnipeg, Man.. Oct. s-Adoption
of laws compelling land owners to
take action against grasshoppers
when necessary in the province and
states where the grasshopper plasuc
may appear, and immediate preplra-
tons to night the pests next year. are
urged in a resolution passed here Fri
day, at q conference OF the provincial
government agrfculture representa-
tiyes Of prairie provinces and the
state of North Dakota.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
SYNOPSIS,

David Van Wyck, middle aged million.
alre. is o to give the larger part
Ct his fortune to establish a library in
plan is bitterly opposed by his young
wife, Anne Van Wyck. n his son and
daughter by a orme marriage. Morland
and Barbara Var Wyck.
The night before the gift is to be
completed David Van Wyck is killed sn
his study. His body is found there the
next morning with a circular wound
through the heart. All of the doors are
locked and there is no trace Of n weap-
on to be- found.
The coroner holds an inouest. It is
established there that Anne and Van
Wyck's two children had uuarreled with
Van Wyck over his intended gift.
Raymond Sturgis, who tells the story
is In love with Anne.
1t is established at the inquest. that
Carstairs, Mr.. Van Wyck's valet, whose
mother is the housekeeper. was out late
on a joy ride the night of the tragedy. \
Discovery Of a stilleto belonging to
Anne apparently stained with blood
turns suspicion her way.
Sturgis suggests calling in Flemming
Stone, a wonderful detective friend OF
his. At the same time he is puzzled by
the mysterious disappearance of Archer
from his room one night.
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11
CHAPTER xJV-cnnt;nuea

why because if either Of them
were guilty-not that 1 suspect for q
moment that either of them is-but
for the sake of argument, let US sup
pose it,-or if either of them should
be conceaiing any bit OF guilty
knowledge, surely he would not so
fatty give the other the lie, becauss
he would know that such a COURSE
would invite investigation. A man
with a guilty conscience. is plausible
and endeavors to be casual. He never
and sticks to it so blatantly."
"Ybu ought to be a detective your
self. Archer" I said, looking at him
admiringly; II think you've made a
very subtle point
Il haven't what are called detec-
tive methods" he returned. "but I do
hold that reason and logic are the
mainstays of the profession. How
ever, something more is needed. For
Markham has reason and logic, and
yet I doubt if he will get anywhere. I
suppose ingenuity and originality are
needed. OF course your Fleming
Stone has those. But, Sturgis," and
Archer's face grew very grave lido
er of us is willing to voice suspicious
as Morland did, but shall we not ad-
NIT to each other that a cessation of
all movement in the matter, might be
a good thing?"
II don't know, Archer" and I
looked at him thoughtfuly; II see
the force of your suggestion, and yet
well, I want to think it over. I'll
ponder on it tonight, and I know
you'll do so. Tomorrow let us again
exchange IDEAS
Archer agreed to this, thought 1
must, confess he didn't seem greatly
impressed with the briliancy Of my
plan, and I went off to my own room.
This time I really entered it, and
locked the door after me. I threw
myself into an armchair, and pro-
ceeded to my bordering at once. But
I may as we'll admit that my ponder
ing began, not with the mystery Of
the tragedy, but with the mystery Of
Archer;s absence from his own room
that night. 1t was all very well for
him to say that he was in the bath
room cupboard-but couldn't be-
lieve It, for I had looked in there and
saw no To be sure I didn't go
inside. but Archer could scarcely have
been concealed behind the few coats
or trousers that were suspended from
rods.
OAICoo AA0 4A0N DCCA III OI0 OIL MS
own s~uit-cases or hat-boxes he
couldn't have been in that closet, and
the I thought about 1t, the
stranger 1t seemed.
And then the. Jealousy lurking in
my heart gave me a sudden sugges-
ton. Archer's was directly
over David Van Wyck's bedroom. Be-
fore his marriage, David Van Wyck
had used for his w bedroom the
very one Archer now occupied. Could
there be-hinted my jealous heart-a
secret staircase. connecting the two?
Could Archer descend secretly to Da-
yid Van Wyck'stroom, andsso gain ac-
cess to Anne's apartments?
It was q tAydry thought was
melodramatic--but my heart was like
a tinder-box, and the thought nad
struck a fendish flame. " didn't be-
lieve it with my brain, but my fool
heart declared 1t to be the only
possible explanation OF Archer,s mys-
terious disappearance.
And then another thought followed
II, which made me ashamed of nv
eyit tn1sgfnatton- The dead BODY 81,
tSeEF
Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-11

Sapphire 81 sometimes found EN-
sbsdded in xnsisAs but more often. III
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
WANTED-sALEsMEN


SALES BOARD SALESMEN-We have the
most attractive line Of premium assort-
ments on the market today-COMMIS-
SIONS $500 to $4,000 per order with FULL
REPEAT COMMISSIONS. For a LIVE,
UP-To-DATE proposition, write TO-DAY.
ICANFIELD MFG. COMPANY, 1908 Broad
way. Chicago.
SELL TIRES
Direct to car owner, 3Ox3 non-skid $11.15-
Tubes S2.25; other sizes in proportion
Guaranteed 5000 miles on liberal adjust
ment basis. Big commissions. Experience
or capital unnecessary. Auto Tire Clearing
House. 1900 West 10TH. Chicago.
SALESMEN-Ten dollars a day to start.
to men with ears, who can drive rural
routes and sell to farmers. We train you.
Permanent connection with large corpor-
alton. Address Sales Manager. 434 Lathrop
Building. Dept. o. Kansas City. Mo.
$500 MONTHLY selling new patented fuel
vaporizer guaranteed to save up to 500
gasoline: 40 miles per gallon made with
Ford. Sold on money back guarantee. One
sample free Stransky Vaporizer Co, 260
Pukwana. s. Oak.
DISTRIBUTER wanted in every town for
Speedoline: S300.00 to $4,000 per month ;
exclusive territory; automobile free to
workers. Speedoline Co., Dept. III, Dallas,
Texas.
COUNTRY SALESMAN WANTED-Paper
men. insurance men and such make good
a. this work. Address Box A-10 care Jour
nal, giving phone number
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
FOR sALE-CITY PROPERTY

FOR SALE-9-room dwelling, lots, on
= Garfield ave-. near car line, suitable for
two families, sleeping porches, floored
attic, built in cupboards, two large porch
es, modern home, full basement, laundry
and hot air furnace room, fine old shade,
cement walks, paved street, double garage.
Price $500. Good terms. Furman's real
state 106 West sth.
FOX SALE-Owner leaving city; Groom.
modern house, beautiful location, near
Central Park, all modern. Al furnace
near school and college; reasonable terms.
Phone 1854 before 10 a. m.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07

of other parties. There is nothing in
the returns to give glory. comfort or
pride to the party. But it must bear
the inference of a partial reputation
of almost every state and federal Off
cial who sought denomination. It is
certain the next legislature will seek a
remedy for the system which has
brought only sorrow to the party in
DOWer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
MALE AM FEMALE

~---~-~---~~---~~----~@
THOUSANDS U.NS. government positions
open to men, women, girls $135 to 500
sufficient Write Immediately for free list
positions open. Franklin Institute. Dept
Isl q. Rochester. n. Y
MAN OR WOMAN WANTED. salary SIG
full time. T5c an hour spare time. selling
guaranteed hosiery to wearer. Experience
unnecessary. International Mills, Norris
town, Pa.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
KercheU! It's
Open Season
For Sneezers
Annual ''PoIlen Plague Commonly
Known as Hay Fever, Is With Us
Again-AIaIes Arc Hit Hardest.

!
Two dollars worth of handkerchief,
please. It's hay fever time.
Mrs. Snezure is slightly indisposed
| today and Mr.. Kerchew is somewhat
under the weather. And it is under
stood that Mrs. Whoee is positively i'll
! oh, come, let US be frank about it!
They all have the hay, fever.
| Just as small dog runs himself to
| death trying to get away from the tin
! can tied to his tail, so do many men
and women make frantic endeaVors to
/ run away from the hay fever. But it
can't be done. Hay fever has a dis
gushing habit of recurring every year
4 at about the same time. Some persons
claim they can tell to the very hour
when the attack will commence
the world beside death and taxes.
Rag Weed Pollen the Victim.
Frequently the sufferers will journey
to another climate seeking relief, nor
lis their quest always frRitless. The
chief cause Of hay fever is the pollen
of the rag weed. AS this plant does
not grow above an altitude of 5000
feet, some persons have made the
climb before the season started in the
hope of avoiding the pest. But they
only discovered that Mr.. Rag Weed
has an able ally ii the form of the
worm sage wood, which makes things
equally unpleasant in the lofty alti-
tudes.
Beside the rag weed, altho it prob
ably causes more cases than all other
plants put together, the yellow dock.
amarath, goosefoot and various kinds
of grasses all unite in claiming part
Iof the honor of making the world one
big sneeze. The pollen from these
weeds about this time of the year,
fills the air and is carried to the nos
triIs of the unsuspecting public on the
gentle zephyrs.'
leaves With First Frost.
According to DR.. Earle G. Brown,
city health officer, hay fever always
disappears with the coming of the
first frost. Between now and the first
frost is the open season on sneezes.
Everyone may sneeze as much as they
please and are asked to observe only
one rule of the game-covering the
mouth with the handkerchief as a
matter not only of etiquette but of
safety.
The symptoms of hay fever consist
of a burning in the nose. throat and
bronchi; there is a great constitutional
reaction and marked mental depres-
sion. Fever often goes as high as 101.
The safest plan. according to Doctor
Brown, is to consult a physician. who
can administer treatment that will
make life much more pleasant. altho
an absolute cure has never been de-
vised. The disease is not fatal
merely unpleasant.
Hay fever is peculiar to England
and America, occurring much more fire.
quently in the United States. It is
twice as common in the case of males
as in females and twice as prevalent
in cities as in the country: An in
crease in hay fever cases is usually
observed after a day of high winds.
which carry a greater volume of the
pollen.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
OIL LEASES

DON'T invest in oil until you receive our
literature. We have a sure thing and a
possibility. You are certain to get back
200 per cent and you may get 5000 per
cent We have production and land with
oil seeping to surface. Get particula rs.
Conroe Oil company. 237 Union National
Bank Bldg. Houston. Texas.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-07
<vANTED-FEMAI.E HELP
100 DESIRABLE POSITIONS.

1OO RABLE POSITIONS.
Pay $40 mo-. room and board. while
learning. want neat women. IS to 30 years
old, permanent positions, advance in salary,
positions always open; free transportation.
AMBITIOUS writers of photoplays, short
stories, poems, songs, send today for
v va instructive book FREE containing
ing. Atlas Pub. Co., "a Butler Building,
Cincinnati. o.
WANTED-Counter girls for Topeka !;
counter girls to ship out: kitchen help !:
man and wife, farm work; mattresses. Fur
man Employment Office. log West Sth.
WANTED-10 women cooks: housekee pers
chambermaids; kitchen help; laundry
help; dining room girls; man and wife
cooks. Furmans Employment Office, JOG
West sth.
WOMEN GIRLS WANTED-S135 month.
Government Jobs. Thousands vacancies.
Write Immediately for list positions.
Franklin Institute, Dept G26G, Rochester,
WANTED-25 experienced counter girls
for wyoming, wages $50 mo-, board and
room, free transportation. steady work.
Furman's Employment Office LOG West Sth
ondary. college. university. Salaries
high. Quick results. Write qualifications.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. thOroly compe-
tent maid, Is to 30. good wages to salts
factory person Mrs Pendry, us West
Sixth.
W AN IED-tSlri IOr general nOuSeWOrk.
small family; no washing or ironing /;
good home for some one. Call 1912 n.
Jackson.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and dictaphone
operator: shorthand not absolutely nee
essary. Crane & Co.. 110-112 East Sth st.
WOMAN capable of tnking full charge Of
household in family with no children.
Answer BOO care Journal
WHITE woman, middle aged preferred. for
general homework in small family with
no children. Phone 49,
WANTED-Saleslndy for appliance dept.
Apply Phone 1851 or Topeka Edison Co,
sos Kansas ave
EXPERIENCED operator for private
switch board wanted at once. Wolff
Packing Co.
WANTED-WOman to do Homework and
care of child. Apply 1927 Buchanan.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. housekeeper for
institutional work. Phone 1868.