Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18

that even the humblest Of detective
officers is q man Of wealth and sub
stance and that his secret hoard was
secured by thieving, bribery and black
mail It is the gossip of the fields, the quarries
the tailor's shop. the laundry and the bake
house Of fifty county prisons and three convict
establishments, that all highly placed detec-
tives have by nefarious means laid up for them
selves SUFFICIENT earthly treasures to make work
a hobby and their official pittance the most
inconsiderable portion of their incomes.
Since Mr.. J. q. Reeder had for more than 20
wears dealt exclusively with bank robbers and
forgers, who are the aristocrats and capitalists
of the underworld, legend credited him with
country houses and immense secret reserves
Not that he would have q great deal OF money
in the bank. It was admitted that he was too
clever to risk discovery by the authorities. No,
It was hidden somewhere: 1t was the pet dream
of hundreds OF unlawful men that they would
some day discover the hoard and live happily
ever after. The one satisfactory aspect OF his
affiuence (they all agreed) was that. being an
old mamie was over 50-he couldn't take
his money with him. for gold melts at a Ger
tain temperature and giltedged stock is seldom
printed on asbestos paper
MIR. REEDER, that inonensive man. had seen
AvA prisoners foaming at the mouth in their
rage, he had seen them white and livid, he had
heard their bowling execrations and he had
met these men after their release from prison
and had found them amiable souls half asham-
ed and half amused at their nearly forgotten
outbursts and horrifc threats.
But when. In the early part Of 1919. Lew
Kohl was sentenced for 10 years, he neither
screamed his imprecations nor registered q VOW
to tear MI. Reeders heart, lungs and impor-
tant organs from his frail body.
Lew just smiled and his eyes caught the
detectives for the space of second-the for
gers eyes were pale blue and speculative, and
they held neither hate nor fury. Instead, they
said in so many words:
"At the first opportunity I. viii kill you."
Mr.. Reeder read the message and sighed
heavily, for he disliked fuss Of all kinds.
Many years had passed. and considerable
changes had occurred in Mi. Reeders fortune.
He had transferred from the specialized occupa-
notes TO the more general practice Of the
Public Prosecutors Bureau, but ne never for
got Lewis smile.
The work was not heavy and it was very
interesting. To Mr.. Reeder came most Of the
anonymous letters which the prosecutor re-
ceived in shoals. In the main they were self
explanatory. and 1t required NO particular In
telligence to discover their motive. Jealousy,
malice, plain mischief making, and occasionally
sordid desire to benefit financially by the In
formation which was conveyed. were behind
the majority. But occasionally:
James Tithermite is going to marry his
Uousn and it's not three months since his poor
wife fell overheard from steamer. There's
something very fshy about this business Miss
Margaret doesn't like him, for she knows he's
after her money. Why was sent away that
night? He doesn't like driving In the dark,
either. It's strange that he wanted to drive
That night when it was raining like blazes."
This particular letter was signed "A Friend"
Dustice has many such friends.
James Tithermite had been q director Of
bome new public department during the war.
Look it up" said the prosecuting attorney.
II seem to remember that Mrs. Tithermite was
drowned at sea-"
ION the nineteenth Of December last year."
laid Mr.. Reeder solemn1y. "She and her hus-
band were going South. Tithermite. who has
house near Maidstone, drove to Dover, gar
hging the car ut the Wilson Hotel The night
was stormy. Tithermite came to the purser
and said that he had missed his wife. Her
baggage was in the cabin, her passport, rail
ticket and hat. but the lady was not found, In
Deed was never seen again"
The prosecutor nodded.
u zee, you've read up the case"
81 remember It," said Mr.. Reeder. 1.-The case
b favorite speculation Of mine. Unfortunately,
i see evil in everything and have often
thought how easy-but fear that I take
warped view Of life. 1t Is horrible handicap
30 possess criminal mind"
The attorney looked at him suspiciously. He
Mas never quite sure whether Mr.. Reeder was
eerious. At that moment, his sobfiety was
beyond challenge.
"A discharged chauffer wrote that letter, Of
bourse." he began.
Thomas Dayford Of ITO Barrack street.
Maidstone" concluded MIR. Reeder. "He is at
present in the employ Of the Kent Motor Bus
Co, and has three children, two Of whom are
twins and bonny little rascals."
The chief laughed helplessly.
I'm take It that You know!" he said. ~See