The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-08-04

he found Mr.. Thorne standing outside,
waiting to meet him. And he was
amazed to observe his agitation; the
postmaster nervously intertwined his
hands and seemed genuinely relieved
at the advent Of the detective.
THANK goodness you're here, Mr.
Rankin!" he blurted out. 1.-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. "She's back? You
haven't told her you are holding one
for me?"
"I've said nothing, sir" The post
master was breathless. II was hop
ing to delay her until you got here;
so pretended still had to open one
bag Of mail before I could be sure
whether Jordan had any letters. Then
1 sneaked from the office by the back
door, through the dorm behind and
ran out to stop you. But I'm afraid
she'll get frightened and leave If she
has to stay much longer"
The detectives decision was instan-
taneous. Here is what I want you
to do, Mr.. Thorne," he instructed.
Return and inform her of the letter;
you can even describe it for her. If
this Is the one she's interested in, her
reactions to finding it 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, Is. this
letter from Gladwyne is for Mr.. Jor-
dan. But that's the only one"
"Never mind; that's the one I want"
the woman interrupted; she tried un-
successfully to dissemble her eager
ness and relief. 1.-THE one 1 sent him.
I'm so glad you were able to find 1t.
You see, I made such a stupid mis-
| take; mailed out a check to aid a
charity I support and birthday card
to Mr.. Jordan at the same time. And
I foolishly mixed the two up and put
the check in his envelope" She talked
quickly, to make her story convincing.
II was so worried I wouldn't be able
to stop it before it 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 1t beyond her
grasp.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but don't see
how I can do that" he said regret
fully. tits 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
Pm sure I'd like to oblige you, raa'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 I shouldn't make such
fuss over this check, but it Is for such
a large amount that I don't want to
run the risk of losing it. AS I said, it
can't possibly concern the police; and
if it isn't returned at once, might
cause me great deal of trouble" She
became increasingly urgent, lingering
her pocketbook on the counter, sug-
gestively. ut would be worth some
thing to me to be spared that trouble
say fifty dollars"
Rankin judged it to be the moment
for him to interfere.
He stepped to the window. ais
there anything the matter, Mr..
Thorne?" he inquired 81 came, after
getting your call. as soon as could
get away. You have a letter, be-
lieve, for Mr. Jordan?"
The postmaster promptly compre
hended his cue. "That's right, Mr..
Rankin, here it is" He relinquished
it gladly. "Only this lady claims 1t be-