The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-10-12
CHAPTER xllI-continusd.

20
! stood irresOlute, undecided as II
my next move. felt convinced / was
at last on the right trail but how
could ! verify my Suspicion There
seemed to be but one sure method
Whoever had actually committed the
murder and robbery. still chung to the
theory that Ivan Waldron knew him,
and would demand his share as the
price Of q silent tongue. Nor would
he, under present circumstances, be
content to wait very long for such
q division. He needed the money
more than ever to escape from the
observation of the police. II Wine
had possession Of the valise he would
certainly be called upon to deliver q
portion OF Its contents very shortly
My best course. then. was to keep an
eve open for WaldrOn; IL he came,
there would be no doubt as to the
exact nature of his errand.
The stairway gave me no advan-
tage; It was open and doubtless fpe-
Quently used. To be seen lettering
there for any length of time would at
tract attention. ! ventured to try the
private door. but, as expected, found
1t securely locked, nor did dare ex-
ert 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. Baffied and uncertain, had
barely returned to my point of con-
cealment, when an elevator stopped
at this floor level, and three men
| stepped out into the cOrri Tor. Two of
them attracted no attention, but the
third was In his shirt-sleeves and wore
cap with some insignia upon It,
He advanced briskly, and flung open
the door leading into what had 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 door. and then another voice
said, dissatisfied, that 1t was altogeth-
er too small for their purpose. When
they came out the agent closed the
door carelessly and pressed the ele-
vatOr button, saying he would show
them something on the second floor
above.
Even a. they shot up out Of sight
I wAs- across the corridor with hand
On the knob. feared a 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 a thick wall. |
could hide here securely enough, and,
BY slightly lifting the glass. gain good
view Of the corridor. but It would be
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 l
unfastened the window sash. propping
II open q crack so as to afford me a
fair view. II Waldron appeared /
would endeavor to discover some
means Of learning the object of his
visit Meanwhile was safe enough,
and able to observe every movement
on the floor.
Suddenly. when least expected 1t,
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
In the opposite direction
stopped and discharged q passenger.
It was . woman who stepped out.
quickly about as though un-
certain where to 60. and recognized
Marie Gessler.
She started down the corridor, look I
ng for the numbers OH the doors, and
hen. discovering herself wrong, re-
raced her steps and approached
Wines door. Even then she ap-
,eared to doubt her next move, glanc-
ng around as though anxious to re-
main unobserved before venturing I
arther. Then, opening the door I
quickly. she disappeared within. In
hat moment. before the door closed, |
caught the sound Of q mans voice,
tsrtled, uttering q single surprised s
I
"Y0u here! What does this meant"
Then Q low spoken answer. the
words inaudlble. aud ended by 4 click
+ the latch.
That closed door seemed to urge {
ne to learn what was transpiring be- 9
'Ond: could not fight back the ,
But would It open? had
been left unlocked? The only way
n which ! could ascertain was to try.
There was no one to witness my at
empt. and. even II some Office door I
opened, could quickly find I
In the nearby stairway. v