Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18
The Quaint Detective, Who Is Des:
tined to Be One of the Famous Characters
ofMystery Fiction, Receives a Letter and
and Untangles Plot Another Complete
Story by Master Writer:

what there is behind the letter. Tithermite Il
q big fellow in Kent, justice OF the peace, and
he has powerful political Influences. There Is
nothing In this letter, Of course. Go warily,
Reeder-n any kick comes back to this office, 1t
goes ON to you-intensifedI"
MIR. REEDERs idea Of walking warily was
AvA particularly his own. He travelled down to
Maidstone the next morning, and, finding bus
that passed the lodge gates Of Elfreda Manor,
he journeyed comfortably and economically. He
passed through the lodge gates, up a long and
winding avenue Of poplars and presently came
within sight Of the gray manor house
In q deep chair on the lawn he saw girl
sitting, book on her knees and evidently she
saw him, for she rose as he crossed the lawn
and came toward him eagerly.
'T'm Miss Margaret Leatherby-are you
from -" She mentioned the name Of well
known firm Of lawyers and her face fell when
Mr.. Reeder regretfully disclaimed connection
with those legal lights
She was as pretty as q perfect complexion
and a round. not too intellectual. face could. In
combination, make her.
81 thought-do you wish to see Mr.. Tither-
mite? He Is In the library. If you ring, one OF
the maids win take you to him"
Had Mr.. Reeder been the sort Of man who
could be puzzled by anything, he would have
0een puzZle0 py the SuSgeSCtOn Lk1AG any &NA
with money Of her own should marry man
much older than herself against her own wishes.
There was little mystery In the matter now.
Miss Margaret would have married any strong
willed man who insisted.
even me-" said Mr.. Reeder to himself, with
q certain melancholy pleasure.
There was NO need TO ring the bell. tall.
broad man in golfing suit stood in the door
way. His fair hair was long and hung over his
forehead In thick nat strand; q heavy tawny
moustache hid his mouth and swept down over
o chin that was long and powerful.
"well?" he asked aggressively.
"I,m from the district attorneys Office" mur-
INJURED Mr.. Reeder. II have had an anonymous
letter."
His pale eyes did not leave the face Of the
sCome in," said Tithermite grufny.
As he closed the door he first glanced quickly
to the girl and then to the poplar avenue.
Tim expecting fool Of . lawyer" he said. as
he flung open the door Of what was evidently
the library.
His voice was steady; not by . flicker Of eye
lash had he betrayed the slightest degree OF
anxiety when Reeder had told his mission.
''Weil-what about this anonymous letter."
You don't take much notice Of that kind OF
trash, do your"
Mr.. Reeder deposited his umbrella and nat
crowned hat on Q chair before he took docu-
naent from his pocket and handed It to T1ther.
mite, who frowned rs he read. Was 1t Mr..
Reeder's vivid imagination. or did the hard light
I'm the eyes OF MI. Ttthermite soften as he read?
"This Is q cock and bull story Of somebody
having seen my wife's jewels on SALE" he said.
'"There Is nothing In It. I can account for
every one Of my wifes trinkets. I bought back
the jewel case after that awful trip. don't
recognize the handwriting; who Is the lying
scoundrel who wrote this?"
Mr.. Reeder had never before been called .
lying scoundrel. but he accepted the experience
with admirable meekness.
IT thought It untrue" he said shaking his
head. ct followed the details OF the case very
thoroughly. You left here in the after
'At night" said the other brasquely. He vas
sot inclined to discuss the matter, but Mr..
seeders appealing look was irresistible. EFT Is
only 30 minutes run to Dover. We got to the
pier ut II o'clock, at about the same time as
the boat train. and we went on board at once.
got my cabin key from the purser and put my
wife and her baggage inside?"
"She was O good sailor?"
Eyes, q very good sailor; she was remarkably
well that night. left her IN the cabin doing.
and went for . stroll ON the deck
Raining very heavily and strong sea run
ming" nodded Reeder as though In agreement
with something the other man had said.
"Yes-Im o pretty good sailor-anyway. that
story about my poor wife's jewels is utter non
sense"
He opened the door for his visitor, and Ar.
Reeder was some time replacing the letter and
gathering his belongings
"You have O beautiful place here-a lovely
place. An extensive estate?"
Three thousand acres" This time he did
not attempt to disguise his impatience. "0ood
afternoon"
MR.. REEDER went slowly down the drive
~A his remarkable memory ct work.
He missed the bus, which he could easily
have caught, and pursued an apparently aimless