Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-03-10

no attention, passing down the stair
way to the floor below. Growing more
pessimistic as / proceeded, had
reached the fifth floor when, as /
turned at the front of the iron stairs,
my glance rested on the letters stem
ciled along the frosted glass op-
posite-"Mutual Investment Company,
Casper Wine, Manager" l stopped
still, my heart beating wildly, feel
ing that / had stumbled blindly on
the very thing had been seeking.
Casper Wine was the name of the
man who, through accident, had opened
to me the door leading into the Alva
factory; the man who had left me
alone in the entry while he disappeared
to talk with Alva privately in the
little side-room. Casper Wine! For
the first time l really believed the
old hack driver was right-he had
actually picked up just such a fare,
Juggling a bag with him, and driven
the fellow to this place at midnight.
1 had never connected the crime with
Wine before-yet why not? He was
among those present; he had been
alone with Alva; he doubtless knew Of
the transferring of the money; and
he answered fully the description Of
the man the cabby had picked up near
the Jersey docks.
I stood irresOlute, undecided as to
my next move. felt convinced l was
at last On the right trail but how
could l 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 a silent tongue. Nor would
he, under present circumstances, be
content to wait very long for such
q division. He needed the money
more than ever to escape from the
observation of the police. If Wine
had possession Of the valise he would
certainly be called upon to deliver a
portion of it's 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 advan-
tage; 1t was open and doubtless fire.
quently used. To be seen lettering |
there for any length Of time would at
tract attention. I ventured to try the
private door, but, as expected, found |
it 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 observe any shadow on the
frosted glass indicative Of movement |
within. Baf1ed and uncertain, had |
barely returned to my point Of con- 4,
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 it.
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.
Continued Next Week