The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-11-17
i've decided to call for It at once, .

i've decided to call for II at once, :"
Rankin announced abruptly. This
requires immediate Investigation. FIX.
pect me In about ten minutes, Mr..
Thorne."
Hurriedly, he rang off and fastened
from headquarters into the city hall
courtyard below. where his machine
was parked. There was ample cause
for his growing excitement, In Mr..
Thorne's recital. which the postmaster
could not appreciate. IT was the first
indication In the case that a woman
had had some contact with the dead
boy. Thus far, all the evidence mega
tived the existence of any girl in his
life: the absence of feminine letters,
the ignorance of members of the fra
ternity and Mr.. Merrick's testimony.
And now suddenly out of nowhere. this
woman appeared. mysteriously inter
ested In the student and. in all prob
ability, being at least indirectly con-
cerned In his death. Otherwise, she
would have come forward openly and
offered her assistance, rather than
hide and surreptitiously attempt to
learn about his mail.
Twelve minutes after leaving head
quarters, he parked his car behind
a long, low gray Limousine. outside
the university dormitories. AS he
turned into the Gothic arch within
which, on the right, was the post office,
he found Mr.. Thorne standing outside.
waiting to meet him. And he was
amazed to observe his agitation; the
postmaster nervously intertwined mis-
hands and seemed genuinely relieved
at the advent of the detective
THANK goodness you're here. Mr..
Rankin" he blurted out. "The same
lady has come again for Mr.. Jordan's
letters. Just three minutes ago; she's
inside now waiting for me to look In
the last mail for letter."
Rankin could scarcely credit his
good fortune. ashes back? You
haven't told her you are holding one
for me?'
''I've said nothing, sir" The post
master was GREATNESS II was hop
ing to delay her until you got here;
so l pretended still had to open one
bag of mail before could be sure
whether Jordan had any letters. Then
/ sneaked from the office by the back
door, through the dorm behind and
ran out to stop you"
The detectives decision was instan-
taneous. "Here is what l want you
to do. Mr.. Thorne," he instructed.
Return and inform her of the letter !;
you can even describe II for her. IF
this is the one she's interested in, her
reactions to finding II might explain
her motives Meanwhile, I'll follow
you in the front and watch her until
consider ! ought to interfere But
whatever happens" he paused for en-
phasis. "do not permit her to get hold
of the letter under any circumstances.
You understand? And Mr.. Thorne."
Rankin finished. behave as naturally
as you have up to now. We stand
better chance of learning her game
If we don't rouse her suspicious"
He allowed the postmaster minute
to enter the office from the rear be-
fore he used the front door, A woman
leaned over the counter. beautiful In
spite of her obvious anxiety. but closer
to thirty years than twenty-five Lack
ing fresh and unspoiled quality. her
charm seemed to Rankin unpleasantly
diluted by sophistication. Callousness
was apparent in her full sensuous lips
and invitation. though without sincere
emotional warmth. in her piercing
black eyes. A wedding ring glittered
on her well-manicured left hand.
Both her poise and her decorative
costume proclaimed her wealth and
position. But even the contrasted
colors of her dress seemed coarse to
the detective. and the earrings she
wore, ostentatious. AS though hunt
ing for a particular mail box, Rankin
moved within hearing distance.
The postmaster. holding an envelope
in his hand. was saying. g. this
letter from Gladwyne is for Mr.. Jor-
dan. But that's the only one"
"Never mind; that's the one want"
the woman interrupted; she tried un-
successfully to dissemble her eager
ness and relief. 1.-THE one sent him.
I'm so glad you were able to find it.
You see, | made such stupid mis-
take; | mailed out check to aid a
charity support and birthday card
to Mr.. Jordan at the same time. And
| foolishly mixed the two up and put
the check In his envelope" She talked
quickly, to make her story convincing.
81 was so worried | wouldn't be able
to stop it before II was delivered
But it's all right now; so If you'll just
let me have it. :"
She almost snatched at the letter,
but Mr.. Thorne held it beyond her
grasp.
"rm sorry, ma'am, but l don't see
how | can do that" he said regret
fully. Its addressed to Mr.. Jordan ;
and l suppose you've heard Of his
death. That being the case, I've got to
turn all his mail over to the police.
I'm sure I'd like to oblige you, ma 'am,
but it isn't possible. My orders were
to keep everything he received for the
headquarters man."
For a moment. the woman bit her
lip in perturbation when she spoke
It was with a new insistence.
Maybe | shouldn't make such q
fuss over this check, but IL is for such
a large amount that don't want 70
run the risk of losing it. AS | said. II
can't possibly concern the police; and
If II isn't returned at once. might
cause me great deal of trouble" She
became increasingly urgent. lingering
her pocketbook on the counter. sug