The Coolidge examiner., 1933-10-20
CHAPTER V-Continued

how / can do that" he said regret.
fully. IT'S addressed to Mr.. Jordan
and | 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
ne received for the headquarters
man. Besides, I've already notified
the authorities about this letter"
For n moment. the woman bit
her lip in perturbation when she
spoke. il was with new insistence.
Maybe ! shouldn't make such a
fuss over this check. but it is for
such n large amount that | don't
want 10 run the risk OF losing 1t.
AS ! said. IL can't possibly concern
the police; and IL it isn't returned
nj once, might cause me a great
deal Of trouble" She became in
creasingly urgent. lingering her
pOcketbOok on the counter. sugges-
lively. ut would be worth some
thing To me to be spared that trou-
ble-say fifty dollars"
Rankin judged ii to be the mo-
ment for him to interfere.
lie stepped to the window "Is
there anything the matter. Mr..
Thorne?" he inquired. 81 came,
after getting your call. as soon as
l could get away. You have let
ter. believe. for Mr.. Jordan?'
The postmaster promptly compre-
hended his cue. That's right, Mr..
Rankin. here II is" He relin-
quished IL gladly. only this lady
claims il belongs to her: she says
she accidentally sent Mr.. Jordan a
check that was meant for a char
ity."
Yes. | heard that, Mr.. Thorne." :"
The detective faced her. There
isn't the slightest danger. madam" :"
he declared. "if this letter contains
what you describe. that ii won't be
returned to you. Still. under the
circumstances, will have to ex-
anime il first: but rest assured /
will be careful with It."
The woman inspected him with
mingled apprehension and dlsmay
at the interruption.
II don't understand" she
faltered. addressing the postmaster,
this gentleman Is from head
quarters?"
Correct. madam" Rankin replied
for himself. "and ! am handling the
investigation into Stuart Jordan's
tragic death" A quality OF steel
crepi into his voice. which had be-
gun calmly 1T was murder-sub-
tie murder by poison. In a case
like this. II Is the business OF every
one acquainted with him to offer
their information TO the police. And
not hide their identity or try to
suppress evidence as you have
done. You must have wanted this
letter badly TO run the risk of dis
covery to obtain st."
Al his sternness. the womans S
eyes reflected genuine fear and
her cheeks paIed beneath her rouge.
But proving equal to the occasion,
she regained her poise.
Il did" she admitted, with every
indication of candor.. 1T was very
important for me TO get II back.
didn't want TO mention il; but you
see. IT'S my husband I'm afraid of.
He disapproved of this charity and
forbade me to contribute to II. He
is very strict, and as | am depend
ent on him. hoped to recover the
check without his hearing about it"
Rankin remained unmoved. "Set
your mind at rest; | promise you
he will never learn of II through
me. Still that won't excuse me
from verifying your claim about
this check" He went toward her
suddenly. who is your husband !"
My husband?" Alarmed. the
woman fumbled her handbag. 81
don't see what difference
that makes" she replied hesitantly.
"He hasn't any connection with all
this !. with this crime; 1t would
lie waste of time to bring him
into it,"
Il cannot neglect any line of IN
quiry." Rankin returned coldly. "If
he was even slightly acquainted
with Jordan. he must be ques-
TONED. Are you certain that you
attempted to reclaim this letter
only because you feared he would
learn of it,"
''Of course that was all He was
prejudiced against this charity and
I didn't wish to antagonize him."
The detective became accusing.
Il can suggest another reason for
your caution. madam" he asserted
You were still more apprehensive
of the police than OF your hus-
band; primarily. you tried to hide
il from them. | suggest there is
no check in this envelope. but a
note to Stuart Jordan you dared
not let the police see. You couldn't
have sent a check by mistake in
aF -I hoooVCe