Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-03-17
Copyright, by Randall Parrish

GV6l as Luey SuOL up Out VI SlSAI
l 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. l
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 Vines office. At that,
pose than the open stairway, and l
unfastened the window sash, propping
it open crack so as to afford me a
fair view If Waldron appeared l
would endeavor to discover some
means of learning the object of his
visit. Meanwhile l 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 l took note
of a pencil stuck into her hair, and
felt no doubt she was Vines 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 woman who stepped out,
glancing 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
Vines door. Even then she ap-
peared to doubt her next move, glanc-
ing around as though anxious to re-
main unobserved before venturing
farther. Then, opening the door
quickly, she disappeared within. In
that moment, before the door closed,
| caught the sound of a mans voice,
startled, uttering a single surprised
exclamation.
"You here What does this mean?
Then a low spoken answer, the
words inaudible, and ended by a click
Of the latch.
That closed door seemed to urge
me to learn what was transpiring be-
yOnd: 1 could not fight back the
temptation. But would it open? had
it been left unlocked? The only way
in which could ascertain was to try.
There was no one to witness my at
tempt, and, even if some office door
suddenly opened, l could quickly find
concealment in the nearby stairway.
I crept out through a narrow crack,
and approached on tiptOe the entrance
to Vines Office No sound reached
me from within, and my fingers ST.
lently pressed the knob which
turned without resistance-the latch
was off. A half inch at a time /
opened the door, listening for any
noise behind, my eyes peering through
the narrow crack at what was re-
vealed within. They perceived little,
merely small, unoccupied room, evil
dently an outer Office, containing a
cheap desk, two chairs and a type
writing stand, the machine covered.
Two maps hung upon the walls; in
one corner was a glass water-holder,
and In the other diminutive closet,
the door ajar. That was all, except
that indistinguishable voices were con-
versing somewhere beyond the parti-
ton and well out CT view
Encouraged to believe this l thrust
my head far enough forward to make
sure. A step to the left would doubt
less have revealed Wine, but from
where l stood the end Of the partition
interfered. BY slipping to the right it
woud be quite possible for me to en-
ter without being seen, and three
cautious steps would bring me to the
security Of the closet. From there,
with the door into the corridor closed
I might overhear all that passed be-
tween the two. / had ventured toe
far now to retreat, and, without sec
ond Of hesitation, / pressed through
the narrow opening, and silently
closed the door behind me. Confident
that / had not been detected,
crouched into the narrow closet
scarcely knowing whether to be
ashamed or proud Of my success.
could clearly distinguish the
words of conversation. At first these
were hardly understandable, seeming
ly having no connection with any mat
ter with which felt concerned. The
two were evidently discussing money
to be sure, but in terms involving thu
payment Of interest, and the impossi
bility Of extending loan. l over
heard her say. quietly but firmly:
II came to you, Mr.. Wine, because
of our connection in other matters.
overheard this discussion, and fel
you ought to be fOrewarned."