Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-06
FOLLY'S GOLD mmm By Leroy Scott
VIII" Rsan Mai~ Daughter Crook

sibility. Fletcher might be the per-
son who had done the actual stealing
Of the letters.
Presently Mary and Fletcher went
into an elevator. Clifford followed in
the next, and stepped out just as the
two entered Mary's suite. From the
opened transom Of his own door Cliff
ford watched Mary's door.
Twenty minutes later Clifford saw
the two come out and enter an ele-
vator.
Here was a chance he had been
looking for. Mary would probably be
gone for some time. He watched until
the corridor was empty. then opened
Mary's door. Perhaps he might have
no legal right here as a detective, he
grimly told himself, but he had the
right as a husband.
Rapidly he surveyed the suite-a
sitting room with a large wardrobe
closet, a bedroonl/ and bath. He went
through her belongings, thinking he
might find the letters or some clue
that would involve Bradley inextri-
cably. He found nothing, however
but he had an idea suggested by the
wardrobe closet.
There followed days Of routine In
which he learned nothing new, al
though every day added to his convic'
ton Of the correctness OF his theory.
He twice again saw Mary with
Fleacher and tried to get near enough
to learn what they were saying, and
both times only a miracle saved him
from being discovered by Mary.
TWO weeks after Cliffords visit to
Green Manors. Mrs. Fownes ap-
peared in his office. She showed MIN
a note she had received. 1t was an VI
timatum--unless by noon OF the 1oi'
lowing day the $4,000 was paid. the
letters would be placed in the hands of
her husband.
II suppose you have shown this to
Mr.. Bradley" Clifford asked.
Yes. He said he hoped to get the
letters for me. But he said that I'd
better be prepared to pay the money:
If I wanted my husband not to hnd
out. I'm going to see my mother
perhaps she'll help me. But you. Mr..
Clifford" she cried, do you think you
can do anything?"
"A chance, yes. But I cannot prom
ise anything more"
The rest Of that day he haunted the
Stanwood Hotel Toward o'clock
Mary and Fletcher came into the din
its first number Directly above their
table was q booth intended for small
dinner parties. Clifford slipped into
this and strained to hear what the
two were saying. Fletcher had been
drinking and was ugly. Clifford could
hear nothing of what was said
until these words in Mary's voice came
to him:
Don't talk here. Since you must
talk, come up to my ROOM! j.
At these words, Clifford was away.
Two minutes later he was locked In
side Mary's wardrobe closet that he
had marked out for such emergency
USE After what seemed an age, he
heard the two enter.
Were safe here" Mary's voice
sounded sharply. Now what Is 1t you
want?"
"You know what I want" rasped
Fletcher. II want my $4,000"
IT have no money to pay YOU"
"You can get 1t out of Bradley"
Get it yourself.' she retorted.
"You know Bradley won't see me.
I was q fool for turning those letters
over to him before was paid. I'm
not going to be a fool again"
What does that mean?"
at means that I'm going to be paid
OlICc duACy 6dlu G1tnI i AAi
to deal with him through you, it's UP
to you to get my money"
How? You know Bradley liz at
Green Manors."
Then go out and get 1t. And be
back by midnight"
And If refuse? Or Bradley re-
fuses?"
Then I'll blow the works.
"All right, I'll co." she said. wait
till get my cloak"
Clifford heard her cross toward the
closet in which he stood. Her hand
fell upon the knob. The end was upon
him!
Locked" she exclaimed. Where
did put my key?" There was silence.
II guess 1t doesn't matter; I'll be warm
enough as am. Come on"
The outer door opened, then closed
Clifford crenf out infn the cnrridar