American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-08-19

I was across the corridor with hand
on the knob. I feared a springiock,
bat 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 fercibly was that
there was no connection between
those rooms and the nex suite they
were separated by a thick wall.
could hide here securely enougN nd,
by Slightly lifting the glass, gain good
view of the corridor, but 1t 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 /
unfastened the window sash, ~propping
it open a crack so as to afford me a
fair view. If Waldron appeared 1
would eGdeavor TO discover some
means of learning the object of his
visit. Meanwhile / was safe enough,
and able to observe every movement
N the floor.
Suddenly, when 1 least expected II,
the door of the Investment Office
opened, and a young woman came out.
She had her hat on, AND I took note
of a 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.
1t was a woman who stepped out,
CHANGING quickly about as though un-
certain where to go, and l recognized
Marie Gessler.
She started down the corridor, look
ing for the numbers ON the doors, and
then, discovering herself wrong, re-
traced her steps and approached
Wines door. Even then she APP
peared to donbtlher next move, glanc-
ing around as though anxious to re
main unobserved before venturine
farther. Then, opening the dooa
quickly, she disappeared within. In
that moment, before the door closed
1 caught the sound of a mans voice
startled, uttering a single surprised
exclamation
"You herel What does this mesnf
Then a low spoken answer, this
words inaudible, and ended by a cliol
of the latch.
That closed door seemed TO urge
me to learn what was ~transpiring be
yOnd; 1 rosuld not fight back the
temptation But would it open? haC
il beer left unlocked? The only wa1
in which l could ascertain was to try
. There was no one to witness my at
tempt, and, eve If some office does
suddenly opened, i could quickly fn(
concealment in the nearby stairway
/ crept out through a narrow crack
and approached on tiptoe the entrano'
TO Wines office. No sound reache;
me from within, and my fingers 81
lently pressed the knob, whicl
turned without resistance-the latea
was of. A haff inch at a time
opened the door, listening for an,
hOi7I bNiiiiiNt MY yves PNNhhhb NHASNt
the narrow crack at what was re
vealed within. They perceived little
merely a small, unoccupied room, evi
IDENTIFY an outer office, containing
cheap desk, two chairs and a type
writing stand, the machine covered
Two maps hung upon the walls; II
one corner was a glass water-hOldeI
and in the other a diminutive closet
the door ajar. That was all, excep
that indistinguishable voices were cor
versing somewhere beyond the part
tOn and well out OF view.
Encouraged to believe this / thrus
my head far enough forward TO max
sure. A step to the left would doubt
less have revealed Wine, but frOr
where ! stood the end of the partitio
interfered. By slipping to the right
would be quite possible far me TO Ell
ter without being seen, and thre
cautious steps would bring me to tn
: security Of the closet. Fram ther'
with the door into the corridor closet
! might overhear all that passed b.
tween the two. / had ventuEed 10
far now to retreat, and, without a sc,
ond of hesitation, l pressed thrSug
the narrow opening, and sileatl
closed the door behind me. COnidei
that | had not been detected,
crouched into the narrow close
scarcely knowing whether 10 |
ashamed or proud Of my success.
/ could clearly distinguish Il
words Of conversation. At first the
were hardly understandable, seemin
ly having no connection with any ma
ter with which i felt concerned. II
two were evidently discussing none
10 be cure, but In terms involving d
payment Of interest, and the impos'
bility Of extending a loan. I owe
heard her say, quietly but firmly:
at came TO you. Mr.. Wine, becau
of q connection In other matters.
overheard this discussion, and IL
you ought TO be forewaned."
q appreciate your kindness" he q