The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-08-18

II WAS lille y CIOCk WHICH, uci OCpuA =
ed from the dwelling himself, bound
for Edward Fletcher's residence in
Gladwyne. At Gladwyne he had to in
quire at a store the direction to the
lawyers home. 1t proved to be a
low spacious stone structure in colo
NAL style, set on a knoll within a
stable estate. Parking his car out
side the grounds. the detective went
in on foot, as he did not want his ar
rival to attract attention.
Less than a minute after the but
Ter answered the ring and took his pro-
fessional card to Mrs. Fletcher, she ap-
peared at the door herself. But in
stead of inviting him in, she shut 1t
quickly behind her and spoke in
strained hushed tones.
Couldn't we talk out here? I /.
my husband the warm house has
given me a headache. I need some
air; on the veranda, might feel lit
tie better"
She was not surprised to see him !;
but the spirit with which she had tried
to trick him out of the letter that
afternoon was gone. Her fingers in
tertwined nervously and she moved
away from the closed door apprehen-
sively.
Certainly, Mrs. Fletcher" Rankin
agreed, thus appraised Of the attor-
ney's presence within. Her caution
suited him even more than it did her.
In the shadows of the porch he
sternly proceeded to take advantage
Of her alarm.
II needn't tell you why I am here,
Mrs. Fletcher. By your effort to bribe
the postmaster this afternoon, and
your lies to me. you INSTRUCTED my in
vestigation into Stuart Jordan's MUIR
der. That is serious charge; now I
have come for the true explanation Of
the letter you wrote the boy"
"No explanation is necessary, Mr..
Rankin" the woman returned. "The
truth is that I didn't want such a
foolish note to fall into my husbands
hands or those Of the police. I swear
it has no connection with Stuart's
= :
tragic DEATH"
Despite her distress, she was alert
not to yield the account Rankin sought
from her.
SIT isn't 50 simple as that" he coun-
tered. "As I was certain, even before
I read the letter, you were fond Of
him. And you were with him twice.
On Saturday night, at the fraternity
dance, several witnesses saw you up
stairs together; then again late on
Monday. If your letter isn't enough
proof, have also found the farmhouse
on the Mill road from which he phoned
you after being stranded. You picked
him up there in your roadster"
Momentarily, Rankin's knowledge
shocked the lawyers wife into silence
and she wisely recognized the futility
of trying to maintain her claim.
'But I only did it to help him out"
she insisted. HE was practically
marooned; he had no money and
couldn't have got back to town other
wise. I drove him directly to the
fraternity"
"He had not returned there by two
thirty Tuesday morning." Rankin
pointed out significantly. "And so late
at night, you could easily have COW
cred the distance to town in half
hour"
Mrs. Fletcher hesitated. "No I.
we that was because we had q
breakdown along the State road. It
delayed us for. :"
II am very sorry. Mrs. Fletcher"
the detective cut CURLY across her
explanation, ''you persist in refusing
to be frank with me- Perhaps you
would prefer to make your letter and
your relations with young Jordan pub
lie in court" His voice rang impress
sively. Remember, you are attempt
ing to cover crime; and the coroner
and Judge won't be easily deceived"
Her gasp Of fear. as she caught her
breath, told him his threat had been
effective.
"Court? A judge?" she exclaimed.
"But I tell you that what I wrote
Stuart has no connection whatever
with his death!"
''I'm not convinced about that" Ran
kin pressed his advantage mercilessly.
"Your husband was close to him when
he collapsed-right beside him, in fact.
He had opportunity enough to harm
him."
"Surely you don't suspect Edward
of numbering him?" Mrs. Fletcher's
fear deepened to horror and she
clutched at the pillar of the veranda
for support.
The detective bit OF his words.
isn't even that possible, under the
circumstances? You, yourself, dread
ed how far he might go for satisfac-
ton. And your admission would do
much to influence a jury. In fact,
your actions today were prompted by
the fear he might be responsible for
the tragedy"