New Britain herald., 1927-05-16
@927 BY NEA SENl6 INC

It was largely imagination o
 instinct. bu, Tite Riggs did no : trust Pelton. He didn't suspect hin Of having any hand in his uncle
 death, but he did think 1h'
 nephew was glad to inherit hi
 legacy. and that if he could fur
 thtr feather his nest in any way
 he would do so.
 So, together, the two men wen and papers.
 CHAPTER NH
 But it was thanklcsS task. Most. ly the documents were of no great picious character. It was plain tC re seen that Garrett Folsom had packed the lot while in Chicago and brought them 10 New York, to be attended to there.
 For there were various matters men. and some contracts and esti- mates that had 10 do with New York firms.
 But of anything touching on q 1 ncfarious pursuit, or unlawful bribery or corruption. they found no trace.
 That is, until the very last, when Dan Pelton turned the little suitcase upside down and gave it a final shake. and an inconspic- uous pocket in the lining Tipped open. Out dropped q small ! memorandum book.
 It was old and worn, and had evidently been hidden in the pocket purposely.
 The two men bounced upon 1t and found it to be full of various ! notes and dates, which obviously referred to private matters. "Whatover it's all about" Pel- ton said, tits not meant for the general public. But many Of the entries date back and many of the | notes are crossed out. I fancy he 1 had this book in use for years" Looks so." agreed Riggs. but I can't see as it's going to mean much to us, unless We can make out who the people are.'
 Well, heres one that seems fla milar. Toward the last, note the initials C. R. S. And repeated several times
 | And who may C. R. $. be-"
 That's just it. He may he, pos sibly. Croydon Rochester Sears"
 Croydon Scars. Impossible. That mans white clear through. I don't | know him very well. but ] do know him, and l know nothing but good | of him."
 That doesn't count, Riggs. If i there was a black spot on his past. you wouldn't know it-but Gar cit Folsom might have" Can you get head or tail to these notes about C. F. S.?
 They are vague, and yet they are definite. too. Definite in ex- prcssion, that is. though vague in meaning or allusion.'
 Such as?'
 'One says, C. R, s. Keep on tenterhooks' Another, Screw a little tighter And another. Refer to secret. but lightly It seems 10 me such notes can only mean that uncle held club over the head of Mir. Sears"
 Do you know Sears well?"
 Not so very. But I've known him in a general way for years. And I'd back him 10 the last ditch. His reputation is unassailablc. But Uncle Garry may have known Of some plot. Early indiscrction, or something. There's no use prctcnd- ing uncle was perfect. just because he's dead"
 "Pelton. you use the word blackmail with careless touch. It's dangerous and uncertain game. More than in most ventures, if you push your victim too far you come 10 cropper yourself"
 Well. Garrett Folsom wasn't the man to come to croppers. If that's the case, then I'll bet he never pushed a victim too far"
 He did if he was murdered for doing so."
 peltOn stared
 Meaning. in plain English. the suggestion that he was bounding Scars about his secret which un- occasionally existed. and that in consequence, Sears bumped him off"
 Meaning that it is certainly among the possibilities.
 Then, l say. as I said from the start. I'd rather let sleeping dogs lie. drop the investigation. and let the bones of Garrett Folsom rest in pcace."
 "'rhe investigation will not be droppcl.' cried a Stvident voice. and Miss Folsom stamped into the room. "I heard what you said, Dan. as l neared the door And it's not up 10 you to say what shall be done. I engaged Mr. Riggs: he is working for me. and l forbid you to interfere in any manncr."
 "Oh. come. now, Aunt Stasia." said Pelton. you don't want 70 uncover a lot of stuff that would reflect on Uncle Garrett's charac- ter. do you?"
 Nothing like that CAN be un- carthed. There is nothing in my brothers life that may not be shown to the light of day. Don't you suppose I knew my brother. And he has been murdered and for some reason or other you are trying to hush things Up. First thing you know you'll get yourself suspccted,"
 Good Lord. Auntic, how you do go on"
 Even in this serious situation, Dan was amused, as he always was, at his aunt'S v"hemenco.
 l1n tn l.,