The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1921-11-11
CHAPTER xlII-cOntinusd.

l stood irresOlute, undecided as TO
my next move. felt convinced / was
at last on the right trail but how
could ] verify my suspicion3 There
seemed to be but one sure method.
Whoever had actually committed the
murder and robbery, l still chung to the
theory that Ivan WaldrOn knew him,
and would demand his share as the
price of silent tongue. Nor would
he, under present circumstances, be
content to wait very long for such
a 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 a
portion of its contents very shortly.
My best course, then, was to keep an
eye open for WaldrOn; If he came,
there would be no doubt as to the
exact nature Of his errand.
The stairway gave me no advRn-
tage; 1t was open and doubtless fire.
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
It 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. Baffled 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 corridor. Two of
them attracted no attention, but the
third was in his shirt-sleeves and wore
a cap with some insignia upon 1t.
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 floor, 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 as they shot up out of sight
was across the corridor with hand
on the knob. / feared a springlock,
but was pleasantly disapL ointed, 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 he
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
pnfastened the window sash, prOpping
n open crack so as to afford me
fair view. If Waldron appeared
would endeavor to discover some
means of learning the object OF hlA
visit. Meanwhile I was safe enough,
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 more
Of a pencil stuck into her hair, anal
fat ell
rapher, who had finished her days
work and was departing for home.
Then tile man was probably stu 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 woman who stepped out.
glancing quickly about as though I'M
certain where to go, and 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 ap-
peared to doubt her next move, glanc-
ing around as though anxious to re-
main unObserved before venturlng
farther. Then, opening the door
quickly. she disappeared within. In
that moment, before the door closed,
! cnnght the sound Of mems voice.
startled. uttering single surprised
exclamation. ..
'YOu hereI What does this mean =
Then low spoken answer. the
words Inaudlbls. and ended by a click
az the latch.