The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-10-29
CHAPTER xIII-Continued.
DO

/ stood irresolute, Undecided as u
nv next move. felt convinced was
at last on the right trail but now
could verify my suspicionE lhere
seemed to be but one sure metlou'
whoever had actually committed the
murder and robbery, | still chung 10 the
theory that Ivan WaldrOn knew hilh'
md would demand his share as the
price of silent tongue. Nor Wouiu
he. under present circumstances ue
content 10 wait very long for such
. division. He needed the money
moro than ever to escape from the
observation of the police. If WINE
had possession of the valise he woulu
certainly be called upon TO denver
marion of its contents very shorty.
Nv hest course, then, was to keep an
eve omen for WaldrOn; If he came,
there would be no doubt as TO the
exact nature of his errand.
The stairway gave me no au'ah-
tage; 1t was open and doubtless ire
uuently used. To be seen lOlterlhg
there for any length Of time would at
tract attention. / ventured TO Try the
private door, but, as expected, louilu
II securely locked, nor did L dare eA-
srt any force. not knowing who might
be inside. The office remained quiet
no one either leaving or entering
nor did observe any shadow on the
frosted glass Indicative of movement
within. Baffled and uncertain, L had
barely returned TO my point Oh con-
reaIment. when an elevator stopped
st this floor level, and three men
stepped out into the corridor. Two OF
them attracted no attention, but the
third was in his shirt-sleeves and wore
cap with some insignia upon 1t.
He advanced briskly, and flung open
The door leading into what mad once
been the Railway Exchange" and
motioned the others TO enter. As the
three vanished, heard him explain
that this was the only vacant suite on
This floor, and then another voice
said. dissatisfied, that it was altOgeth-
Pr 100 SlIlull lOi Puh P'ON' H~''
they came out the agent closed the
door carelessly and pressed the ele-
yator button. saying he would show
them something on the second floor
above.
Even as they shot up out of sight
I was across the corridor with hand
on the knob. / feared springlock,
but was pleasantly disappointed, the
door opening instantly. permitting me
TO slip inside. There were two rooms,
both small, and Uttered with the frag-
ments left by the late occupants.
What struck me fOrcibly was that
there was no connection between
those rooms and the next suite; they
were separated by thick wall.
could hide here securely enough, and,
by slightly lifting the glass, gain good
impossible to Overhear anything TAX
ing place In Wines Office. At that,
the position was better for my pur
pose than the open stairway, and |
uLtdSltHtu tiiC NiuhO" Sdsiis
1t open crack so as to afford me a
fair view. II Waldron appeared /
would endeavor TO discover some
means of learning the object Of his
and able to observe every movement
on the floor.
Suddenly, when least expected it,
the door of the Investment Office
opened, and young woman came out.
She had her hat on, and / took note
of pencil stuck into her hair, and
felt no doubt she was Wines stenog-
rapher, who had finished her days
work and was departing for home.
Then the man was probably still there
alone. The girl disappeared down
the elevator, and could scarcely have
reached the lower floor, when a cage
travelling in the opposite direction
stopped and discharged a passenger.
II was a woman who stepped out,
giancing quickly about as though I'M
certain where to 90, and / recognized
Marie Gessler.t
She started down the corridor, look
Ing for the numbers ON the doors, and
then, discovering herself wrong, re-
traced her steps and approached
vines door. Even then she ap-
peared to doubt her next move, glanc-
ing around as though anxious to re-
main unobseryed before venturing
farther. Then, opening the door
quickly, she disappeared within. In
that moment, before the door closed,
caught the sound of mans voice.
startled uttering a single surprised
exclamation.
lou here! What does this mean?"
linen low spoken answer, the
words lnaudible, and ended by click
dithe latch.
mat closed door seemed to urge
me 10 learn what was TRANSMITTING he
yond; ! could not fight back the
temptation. But would II onen3 had
y oeen left unlocked? The only wav
winch l could ascertain was TO FRY.
mere was no one to witness NV at.
.empt' and even if some Office door
suuaenly opened, l could quickly find
ealment In the nearby stairway.
.,ept our through a narrow crack
anu approached on tiptoe the entrance
- vines Office. No sound reached
s nom within, and my fingers 81
10y 10y pressed the knob, which
turned without resistance--tbe latch
vas on, A half inch at a time
snea the door. listening for anv