Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-07
SIXTH INSTALLN;ENT.
Rosa Pays the Piper.

-HE Chief turned TO the door and beck
oned the trembling clerk to enter. The
man did SO.
who had this room? mean, did he give
any nsne?" asked Jenkins.
He telephoned--gave the name OF Car
ver," replied the clerk.
"what time did he phone?"
"Between twelve and one" was the an.
swer. Said that he wanted private dining
room. He got here little before one. or
dered luncheon for two, and said that lady
would arrive shortly and to send her up
here. When she came she went right up
stairs. after asking me where Mr. Carver's
room was"
"Ever see her before?" asked jenkins.
The clerk shook his head.
How was she dressed?"
Il didn't really notice, sir" said the man.
.except that her clothes wers dark and
that she wore heavy VEIL"
couldn't identify her them" asked
Jenkins.
The clerk shook his head again. jenkins
looked beyond him to where in the door,
way, stood the sergeant and his followers,
plainly piqued that their Chief had beaten
them to the scene.
jenkins beckoned to the doctor. The sur
geon entered and bent over the dead man.
His examination was cursory, perfunctory
death instantaneous" he announced, ris-
ing from his knees.
"Au right" said jenkins. He bent over
and picked UP from the floor the automatic
pistol lying by Halsey.
lone shell fred" be announced. He
walked to the table and picked up Halsey's
revolver. He "broke" 1t and found that
none Of the cartridges had been exploded.
He waved a hand to the sergeant and the
plain clothes men entered. Take charge
sergeant" he ordered. He turned to the
clerk. "Ill talk to you later. Where's the
waiter who served them?"
The man came quickly forward. Wen
talk outside" said Jenkins. He left to the
sergeant the detail work Of examination.
Downstairs, in the private ofice Of the
manager, he questioned the man.
Never saw the dead man before?"
"Never. sir" replied the wsiter. nervously.
"Tell me what happened-fron the mo-
n,ent Of his arrival" ordered the Chief.
The walters forehead wrinkled. He was
not a bright mentality. but mentality is not
required Of walters. But he was honest and
very anxious not to omit anything.
well, sir, the man--Mr. Carver-had
ordered luncheon for one o'clock
From you-or from the clerk"
From me- sir. AS Loon as he'd come
went to the dining room upstairs, sir. He
ordered the regular table d'hote meal, sir.
Then he asked me for pen and ink and sta.
tionery. brought them to him, sir. few
minutes later he rang for me, and when
20. 70 the room he gave me letter and told
me TO mail it. He gave me dollar tip. sir.
and said to mail it right away. And SO
walked right down to the letter boz and
dropped it in"
He paused, as though for dramatic effect.
He had got over his first nervousness.
Doubtless he yisualized himself as the cen.
ter of an admiring circle Of friends tonight.
thrilling them with the tale Of the drama in
which he played leading part
And the letter was addressed to you.
sir" he cried.
Jenkins stared at him. ITO me-"
"Yes, sir. He made out it vas so I'm.
portant that took look at the address.
And it was addressed to the Chief Of Police
Of Hillstown, sir"
Jenkins had had, in the few brief months
that he had been at the head Of the Hills
town police force many exciting experiences.
But this was the most exciting Of all. The
dead man upstairs had written to him short
" before his death. Why? The answer
came Immediately to his mind: because he
feared death, knew that some one intended
him injury, and wished the forces Of the law
nu, Immediately upor the trail Of the slayer
unouestionasly. even the name OF the
S. thn fAtt