The Coolidge examiner., 1933-12-08
CHAPTER Ix-Continued

tnriii. the detective instructed IL
must nave THEM rhis evening; If
you wish. I'll send some one for
Them"
Mr. Fletcher also arose. prepared
To leave NO. that won't be nee
esSary." he returned iii go for
them and nave my chauffeur bring
them IN Immediately"
In allowing the lawyer his lib
erty. Rankin ny no means elimiDat-
~ him as n suspect. Ills explana.
zion accounted for neither the STU
dents marked shoes nor the needle
~ the r"adsier. II the hypodermlc
had been planted TO involve him. IL
predicaied n complete knowledge on
the criminals part OF Mrs Fletch.
ers intrigue with Jordan. the
source of which was altogether
battling. And Rankin could still
less perceive how anyone. even with
a key. could have slipped into 315
croft nall. unseen by Mrs. Hogan,
tampered with Jordan's shoes and
left before Mr. Fletcher arrived.
But these doubts Notwithstanding.
the lawyers claims made him even
more hesiranr about arresting him.
And he had now further reason for
delay-to investigate the fresh de-
velupment. so unexpected that he
had moi yet recovered from his
turmoil OF surprise and excitement
% was of course too early TO de-
eide how the existence of a wife
affected The problem of the murder.
IL il made any difference al all.
But. Rankin reflected. II might
change the disposition of the in
neriiaGve due the boy al twenty.
TWO. Nanifestly his uncle was
TOT hy ignorant of the marriage
Had ns learned of II and disap
proved be could nave exercised his
power 20 deprive his nephew of
the est ate for improper conduct
But moi Knowing. and taking no ac-
lion the property still went TO Jor-
dams neir on his death. The ques-
tiun now was whether that heir, In
lieu of will. was Mrs. Jordan
or the guardian. That did not,
however. free Mr.. Merrick from sus-
picion; for still believing himself
though perhaps mistakenly, the ul-
unaie successor, mis- motive for the
crime was as potent as before.
one mystery AT least Mr.. Fletch-
ers narrative cleared up. Mr.. Mer.
rick had been unable To explain the
enigmatiC bearer checks. each for
-four hundred dollars. which the
boy paid out monthly to an un.
Known recipient Now, IL became
quite apparent they went TO the boys
vile Even Willie separated from
her. he fulfilled his duty to support
her In comfort But 10 continue
To Conceal ms marriage. he had
destroyed all the Cancelled checks
10 hei as they were returned
through the clearing house.
DAf NuSiC Nds the NouEiD uOM
Why did she not appear 10 inform
The authorities OF her relation 10
Jordan or 10 clalIn hel rightsi That
of all the enIangiemeEts in the case.
suddenly became the most mystify
ing. Three fun days had elapsed
since the Tragedy: ample lime TO
broadcast the cOmpleIe details In
the papers OF every large city In the
nation. Yet nothing was heard of
her. To locate her. Rankin's 1bvi
Gus course was 10 communicate with
the address from which her letters
came. II that proved unsuccessful
II might become necessary to SET
the vast police network and organ
izaiion of the country in motion to
trace heI trail
As IL turned out, however, the puZ
Zle was quickly solved and without
resort TO elaborate activity. While
waiting for Jordan's correspond
ence TO arrive. Rankin left head
quarters 10 take supper in a near.
Toy restaurant. he returned after
seven. ponderins the whereabouts
of the missing woman. when jerks
greeted him with the tidings that
another visitor wanted to see him.
Its a young woman. Tommy" he
described her with enthusiasm. "and
darned good looking. She came about
fifieeu minutes ago and asked for
whoever had charge of the Jordan
case. ! LEI her wait in the outside
office"
Though the woman might have
been Mrs. Fletcher or indeed. any
one al all, a thrill of anticipation
ran through Rankin.
'All right. Jenks." he said. "Send
her TO me In the captains Office
There was no denying the call
er's striking beauty, as she en-
tered in a taiiored. gray woolen trav-
cling suit About twenty-five gears
old. she was statuesque without
being tall She had dark eyes, anx
ious AT the moment under her long
/. lashes. and delicate well-shaped nos
trils: her red bow lips displayed
sparkling teeth. Most lovely was
her golden blond hair, visible be