Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-06
The Wrist
Mark
By
]. S. Fletcher

quality as the envelope, but which had
obviously been docked of its heading.
Therefore, no address. though there was
a date. And-just half-dozen lines
of writing, same hand as that on the
envelope:
"If you want some real reliable In
formation and are prepared to pay for
1t handsomely. look in ct the Brown
Cow in this town any evening about
z o'clock. / know you"
johnson had opened this communi-
cation in the hall at the hotel: his FIRST
action upon reading, 1t was to turn TO
q stand close by, wherein were set out
various books Of reference, and to pick,
up q local timetable. He learned
from that of train that started for
Harrington at 6:15 and, aScertaining by
a glance at the hall clock that the
time of day was now $50, he turned
and went OF to the station. Before
Z he was walking the streets OF Har-
lington. wondering what he was going
to hear and how much reliance could
be placed on 1t.
old-fashioned tavern set in q corner OF
the oldest part of the market place, the
sort of house likely to be frequented
by farmers, drivers and the neighboring
sllopkeepers. Once within its portals,
johnson found that several small apart
ments opened of the main hall; he
purpoSely looked inside each, to let
himself be seen. Seeing nobody In any
of them who gave any signs OF IN
into a bar-parlor and, ordering g
drink at the bar to make good his
title. retreated with 1t to q quiet corner
and sat down to await Developments.
Beside himself and the barmaid there
were only two other persons in that
parlor-One was niddle-aged man
of the commercial traveller type, who
was having a drink with q smartly
dressed, sharp-looking young fellow.
of anything else to do. came to the
conclusion that each was interested in
the jewelry trade; each wore what
looked like a very fine diamond ring;
they were comparing the respective
merits Of these. Eventually the mid
dle-aged man picked up his bag, shook
hands with his companion and sud-
denly walked over to johnson.
Good evening, Mr.. Johnsonl ne
said, in a bland voice. You've lost no
time in answering my letter.
johnson, contrary to his usual habit
allowed himself to show some surprise.
"Ohi" he exclaimed. "You-you
wrote that letter, Ell? Well, Of course,
there's no name to It."
"All in good time, Mr.. Johnson" iri-
terrupted the other. But come this
way-into one of the little rooms, where
we'll be by ourselves. Bring your glass"
johnson obeyed orders-already he
had an idea that his anonymous corr
respondent, now met in the flesh. was
no commonplace, ordinary person. He
spoke like an educated man; he seemed
to be assured Of his own worth, and to
be inclined to take the lead in what
ever action he was concerned. And
when he had conducted johnson into
one of the smaller rooms Of the hall
and had closed its door, It was ne VINO
assumed charge of the proceedings and
went straight to the point.
Let us talk business, Mr.. Johnson"
be began. I've learned-never mind
howi-that Mr.. Seton Engleden Is pre-
pared to pay handsomely for any in
formation that will lead to the arrest
and conviction of the murderers Of his
uncle, Col Engleden. Is that so?"
THAT Is sol" asserted johnson.
''Now what would you-what would
Mr.. Engleden call handsome?"
1T entirely depends on the informa-
ton"
''I said information that would lead
to the arrest and convictioni Now, Is
Mr. Seton Engleden q rich mani"
HE is a very rich n1an-now. He
comes into everything that his uncle
left Col Engleden was wealthy"
would Mr.. Seton Engleden run to
thousand pounds on results?"
"He would! on q satisfactory result"
Are you prepared to promise that,
on his behalf? Word, OF honor, now?
No papers-word between gentlemen.
aI can promise that But-we want
to know who we're dealing with"
Jol1nson's companion smiled and
drawing out case, handed over q card.
Mr.. Francis Silverstein.
80, Park Grove, Harrington:
"Yes, Mr.. Silverstein?" he said. "And
what do you know?"
Silverstein smiled at this direct APP
proach.
before we get to that" he answered,
"you want. or you ought to want. to
know something about me. That's my
name, Mr. johnson, and my private ad-
dress. But in busineSS-aS any one IN
this town can tell you-I'm heverso1
whats Leverson and Whitman"
TASK anybody! But I'll tell you,
The business was founded
by a Leverson and Whitman-they
dead. long since. Then my grandfather
got it: then my father: now It's mine.
A fine business, too-and I've couple
of excellent managers in it, don't
dance attendance there myself. But
I've always q sharp eye on it-and
hear q great deal of local news, Mr..
Johnson"
'Welip" said johnson. "All very In
teresting that I've no doubt YOU know
what you're talking about. And-this
AFFAIR.""
This affair, yes! Has it struck you
that there's far more behind this Col.
Engleden murder than has ever come to
the surface, Mr.. Johnson"
Its never struck me in any other
way"
lid it?"
mot I-not for one moment"
"You believe their story to be true?"
Absolutely"
Very good-we're getting on COM
mon ground. Has it occurred to you
that Col. Engleden was murdered be-
cause, by his sudden coming to Bar
owsburgh he interrupted or was likely
to interrupt a business Transaction"
(To be continued)