The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-25
CHAPTER x

The Rodaines were on the sidewalk
when Fairchild came forth from the
Richmond home, and true to his in.
structiOns from the frightened girl, he
brushed past them swiftly and went
On down the street, not turning at the
muttered invectives which came from
the crooked lips of the older man, not
seeming even to notice their presence
as he hurried on toward Mother How.
ards boarding house. In his creaky
bed he sought to think, but in vain.
After hours, daylight began to streak
the sky. Fairchild, dull, worn by ex
element and fatigue, strove to rise,
then laid his head ON the pillow for
just a moment of rest. And with that
perversity which extreme WEAKNESS
so often exerts, his eyes closed, and
he Slept-to wake at last with the
realization that it was late morning,
and that some one was pounding on
the door. Fairchild raised his head.
"Who is it,"
'"No one you know-yet. I've come
to talk to you about your partner.
May | come in?"
yes" Fairchild was fully alive
now to the activities that the day held
before him. The door opened, and
young man, alert, almost cOcky in man.
ner, with black, snappy eyes showing
behind horn-rimmed glasses. entered
and reached for the sole chair that the
room contained.
MY names Farrell" he announced.
Randolph P. Farrell. And to make
long story short, I'm your lawyer"
my lawyer" Fairchild stared. IL
haven't any lawyer in Ohadi. The
only"
''That doesn't alter the fact. I'm
your lawyer, and I'm at your service.
And l don't mind telling you that it's
just about my first case Otherwise
1 don't guess I'd have gotten it."
"Why not?" The frankness had driv
en- other queries from Fairchild's
mind. Farrell, the attorney, grinned
cheerily.
Because / understand it concerns
the Rodaines. Nearly everybody has
a little money stuck into their enter
prises. And seeing | have no money
And not being interested, I'm wholly
just, fair and willing to fight 'em to
standstfll. Your partners in jail,
as understand it. Guilty or not gull
tyr?
"Wa-wait a minute! Who hired
your Then with a sudden inspira-
ton: Mother Howard didn't go and
do this?"
Mother Howard? You mean the
woman who runs the boarding house?
Not at ALL"
But"
I'm not exactly at liberty to state"
Suspicion began to assert itself.
Under those conditions. I don't be-
lieve-'
Don't say it, Don't get started
along those lines. I know what you're
thinking. Knew that was what would
happen from the start. And against
the wishes of the person who hired
me for this work, well, I brought
the evidence Here, take a glimpse
and then throw 1t away, tear II up,
swallow it, or do anything you want
to with it, just so nobody else sees 1t.
Ready? Look"
He drew forth a small visiting card.
Fafrchild glanced Then he looked
and then he sat up straight in bed.
For before him were the engraved
words:
Miss Anita Natalie Richmond"
While across the card was hastily
written, in a hand distinctively femi-
| nine:
mfr Fairchild: This is my good
friend He will help you. There Is
no fee attached. Please destroy.
Anita Richmond"
| "Bu-but l don't understand"
You know Miss-er-the writer of
| this card, don't your
| But why should she-T
Mr. Farrell grinned broadly.
| Il see you don't know Miss-the
| writer OF this card at all. That's her
| nature Besides-well, all she's got
| to do with me is crook her finger and
| III jump through. Tm-none Of your
| business. But. anyway. here / am
Continued Tomorrow