Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-09-15
CHAPTER XIII.
In the coImar Ruildinn

vet this afforded me time to think
over my own situation, as we'll as
this clew so unconsciously furnished
me by the loquacious driver. The
chances were that this mysterious
passenger of two nights before had
no connection with the Alva case; yet
there remained possibility. The hour.
the place, his evident fear of pursuit.
his eager desire to get out of sight,
the heavy bag he carried, and his
being a foreigner of some kind all
combined to stimulate my suspicion.
Who the fellow could be was beyond
guess. The Colmar building! My
recollection of the place was vague,
huge pile on Broad near Wall. de-
voted largely to brokers' Offices, abso-
lutely deserted at night, except by
scrubwomen and a Waterman or two.
A tenant might slip in at such an
hour, yet he would be fortunate indeed
to escape the observation of some one
along the halls. or on the staircase.
I felt confident careful questioning
among the night employees would give
some line on the identity of the man,
even If there should prove no other
means of locating him.
One thing was settled; / must go
back to the hotel. If was to pay my
bill and depart would lose all con-
nection with Marie Gessler; she would
then possess no means of finding me.
I could not seek her, but she possessed
my address. and must surely endeavor
to communicate with me before night.
The only thing. then, was to remain
and wait for her to call. Yet this
surely exposed me to the danger Of
arrest if WaldrOn named me to the
police in connection with the death of
Harris.
Yet by this time I was firmly con-
vinced that the Russian would either
lie outright in the misunderstanding that
Harris injuries had resulted wholly
from a fall downstairs in the dark,
or else would swear them upon some
unknown invader who had escaped
after knocking him senseless. Certain
ly he would never reveal the truth,
unless compelled to do so. To do so
would queer his whole game
That is, it would if his game was
anything as / had doped it out. If
he, working alone, or with some
accomplice, as now appeared more
probable, had been concerned In the
Alva murder, his main object at pres
ent would assuredly be to escape de-
lection, and get a division of the
spells. His one desire would be to
remain out of sight, and in order to
do this he must shield me from arrest.
/ awoke at eleven, rested and with
a clear brain. Nothing had occurred
to disturb me, and, as / looked at the
watch and realized the hour, felt no
longer doubt but what Waldron had
found some way in which to protect
us both. Eager to look over the noon
editions myself, L dressed rather
hurriedly, and descended to the lobby.
The paper secured was devoid of par
ticulars, "Gentleman George" Harris,
well known to the police, had been
found dead in the hallway of room
ing house on LIE Compile street, oper-
ated by Mrs. Sarah Waldron. 1t
is believed to have been a thieves
quarrel from the evidence of those in
the house, who heard the sounds of a
struggle, and saw strange man
escape through the front door, There
were no arrests, although the police
were searching for certain parties who
might be implicated.
SO far so good but now what about
the Russian? He had evidently escaped
suspicion, yet would be far from easy
in his own mind. The situation in
which he found himself would only
serve to increase his desire to sc cure the
money. and get safely away while the
going was good If he actually knew
where such money was to be had,
he would Scarcely delay seeking it.
If he had personally hidden that bag
Of currency taken from Alva, he
would be after the stuff within twenty
four hours; while If another held 1t,
he would as surely seek the fellow
Uul, anu IilS SdNf
me two lines to follow; might locate
Waldron. and shadow him; or ! might
see what discoveries l could make In
no Colmar building. The better
chance seemed to me lay In Broad
street. l ate deliberate lunch,
planning how best to proceed. and
hoping some bellboy would call me to
the telephone. / finished the meal
uninterrupted.
Both Wall and Broad streets were
busy enough when elbowed my
passage through the shifting crowds
of men hurrying in every direction,
and, reached the edge of the curb,
gazed upward at the ornamental front
Of the Colmar building
/ took &n elevator to the twelfth floor,
and walked slowly from end to end
of the marble corridor, reading the
names on the glass doors as passed.
l met but few people and attracted
M affantfon pacsf,to doxx,n tha uto In