Elbert County tribune., 1921-11-18
CHAPTER xIII-continusd.

could ! verify my suspicion There
seemed TO be but one sure method
Whoever had actually committed the
murder and robbery, / still clung 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 walt 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 a
portion of its contents very shortly.
Ny best course, then, was to keep an
eye open for Waldron; II he came,
there would be no doubt as to the
exact nature OF his errand.
The stairway gave me no advan-
fsge; 1t was open and doubtless fire.
qnently 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
II securely locked. nor did l dare ex-
ert any force, not knowing who might
be inside. The office remained quiet,
no one either leaving or entering
nor did l observe any shadow on the
frosted glass Indicative OF movement
within. Baffied and uncertain, i had
barely returned to my point of con-
cenlment, 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
q cap with some insignia upon it.
He advanced briskly, and flung open
the door leading into what had once
been the Railway Exchange" and
notioned 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 Ii was altogeth-
or 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
j was across the corridor with hand
On the knob. / feared springlock
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 forcibly was that
there was no connection between
those rooms and the next suite; they
were separated by a thick wall. I
could hide here securely enough and,
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 l
unfastened the window sash, propping
II open a crack so as to afford me a
fair view. II Waldron appeared l
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 i took note
Of q 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 4 cage
travelling in the opposite direction
stopped and discharged q passenger
1t was q woman who stepped out
glancing quickly about AZ though un
certain where to 20. 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 venturinR
farther. Then, opening the door
quickly, she disappeared within. In
that moment, before the door closed
] caught the sound of 4 mans voice
startled, uttering a single surprised
exclamation.
you here What does this meanf
Then n low spoken answer, the
words inaudible. and ended by click
Of the latch.
That closed door seemed to urge
me TO learn what was transpirlng be-
yond; i could not fight back the
temptation. But would 1t open2 had
II been left unlocked7 The only way
In which l could ascertain was to try,
There was no one to witness my at
tempt, and, even II some office door
suddenly opened, 1 could quickly find
concealment in the nearby stairway.
/ crept out through narrow crack,
and approached on tiptoe the entrance