Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-30
4 Bewizdering
DetecHUe Storu
Copyright. 1920. by Public Ledger Coz
, Copyright. 1920. Robert II. Mcbride & Col
Copyright. 1920. by Public Ledger Coz
Copyright. 1920. Robert II. Mcbride & Col

order. wouldn't it,"
What are you trying TO put over.
| Odcll?" demanded the captain. Got
anything on this Gene that you have
gather he is n kind OF n weakened
but harmless young pup: and he GER
| tainiy wouldn', have cut the wires
OF that portrait almost through and
then sat under 1t and waited for 1t
to fall on him"
weakness directed by stronger
and more evil personality may very
easily develop into viciousncss, all
the more dangerous because in II mo-
ment OF action IL would be backed by
the desperation OF panic" the detect
i've remarked I'm not trying to
preach. captain; you know yourself
that tho strong minded crooks are
tho easiest TO handle in tho long run.
We haven't any proof that Gene
Chalmers ever sat for an instant un-
der the portrait at the desk last night
The ladies and Randall had retired.
and tho only persons near wore Lorne
and his attorney in the next room
with a heavy door closed between.
What WAS to prevent that young
man from cutting the wires OF the
portrait with AN electric fllc--I have
IL on the authority OF an expert that
such an INSTRUMENT makes only "A
low buzzing sound. and II is quite
possible that il would not he heard
through the massive walls of that
old Ia shioned housc---waitinE until
he saw that II was about to come
down and then going in on some 1im-
~ excuse about one OF the letters to
his stcpfathcr and the attorney In
order 10 establish tho fact OF his mar
now escape?
II admit that do not believe him
capable Of concciving such plan;
hu; IL the "details were, drilled int,
him by someone else and the incentive
strong enough. 1 am convinced that
he could carry IL out. DO you rcnicm-
Der my telling YOU about some lot
tcrs that ! took from his desk after
mad interrupted him in mis- task Of
burning them? I have them here and
they viii recall some one 20 you whom
we have been trying TO get tor a
long time"
Captain Lewis took tho letters
glanced over them. frowncd at tho
signature and at last brought his
mighty fist down rcsound!nsly on the
desk
Farley Drew! So he had his hooks
into tina, lad. too. did he?"
Not only Gene, but the other
brother also. | understands; the onc
who Is dead There il Il certain note
here in particular that I want you TO
read"
Odell selected the one which ne had
first hurriedly scanned Ia Genes room
that morning and laid /, bttore his
chief.
Where do yoH think YOU get Off
m ;co decp-n,cant you should be-
mothers went of without a hitch
got 10 be done by tn" s!xth-mcan
business Farley Drew" The cap
tain SKINNED Il hastily aloud and
glanced up ut his subordinate. II.
i. coers!on OF course. perhaps black
mail, but what has IL to do"
Genes mother was already dead
wncn shat note was written. as you
can tell II YOU look at the postmark
and That reference To the sixth mas
mean anything; II jus, happens. how
ever. that that Was the date on which
julien Chalmers was killed
Great JehoshaphatH' Captain Lewis
almost lcapcd from his chair. The
a assistant -. 4. has tried 10 get him
~ more than one vice cleanup but
NE never thought We could hang
thing like this on him. I'll have him
down here tonight and sweat him
out. Anything in the rest OF these
notes uf threatening nature"
NO. They are merely TO make or
break appointments" Odcii smiled.
Don't he too sure Of landing our bird
here tonight, captain"
| His Superior. who had just pressed
a Fulton on hie desk. turned 10 him
| with muttcrcd exclamation very
| ike an oath.
| You don't mean that he's beaten
| it:" he demanded. Did that Gene
| get away from your man and warn
! him."
| ION the contrary. Gene has made
no move TO communicate with him
| in any way since | started the invcs-
| tigAtion That is why | am qalte GER
| tain that he managed in some man
| ncr to reach him either last night
| or early this morning and caution him
! that I.orne and the attorney had de-
! clded to call us in" Odell explained.
/ ..He lives at the Bcllcmondc Annex.
! IN near the park. but ] don't believe
| YOU will find him at home this even
! ing"
Nevertheless. the captain issued a
| curt order to the plainclothes man
who appeared in obedience to the
! summons, and then turned once more
| TO Odell.
Couldn't you get anything out OF
| the boy himself; this Gene?"
| mo; and the weakest Of all the
weak spots in this skeleton Of a
| theory Of mine is that ! cannot be-
lieve him capable of having had any
! part in tho death OF his mother. !
| told YOU of the quarrel between him.
| self and his brother on the last night
! of Juliai,'s life, which the cook over
| heard; and it is just possible that
they may have had struggle with
the razor in the early morning; but
don't think he would have had nerve
enough to go Immediately afterward
TO ioin the others at the breakfast
| table and wait for discovery to come.