Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-10-12

She Almost snatched at the Letter,
but Mr.. Thorne Held It Beyond
Her Grasp.
and ! suppose you've heard Of his
death. That being the case. I've got Ia
turn all his mail over to the police
I'm sure I'd like to oblige you. ma'am
but 1t isn't possible. My orders were
to keep everything he received for the
headquarters man. Besides. I've al.
ready notified the authorities about
this letter."
For a moment, the woman bit her
lip in perturbation; when she spoke
1t was with new insistence.
Maybe I shouldn't make such q
fuss over this check. but it is for such
a large amount that I don't want to
run the risk Of losing 1t. AS said, II
can't possibly concern the police; and
I II 1t 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 1t to be the moment
for him to interfere.
He stepped to the window. "Ts
there anything the matter, Mr..
Thorne?" he inquired. II came, after
getting your call, as soon as I could
get away. You have a letter, be-
lieve, for Mr.. JordanT
The postmaster promptly compre-
hended his cue. "That's right, Mr..
Rankin, here It is" He relinquished
it gladly. "Only this lady claims It be-
longs to her; she says she accidentally
sent Mr.. Jordan check that was
meant for a charity"
Yes, I heard that, Mr. Thorne."
The detective faced her. There isn't
the slightest danger. madam" he de-
clared. IF this letter contains what
you describe, that 1t won't be returned
to you. Still, under the circumstances,
! will have to examine 1t first; but rest
assured will be careful with it."
The woman inspected him with min.
gled apprehension and dismay at the
interruption.
don't understand" she
faltered, addressing the postmaster,
'this gentleman Is from head
quartersT
Correct, madam" Rankin replied
for himself. 'and I am handling the
investigation into Stuart Jordan's
tragic DEATH" A quality Of steel crept
into his voice, which had begun calm
~. 1T was murder-subtle murder BY
poison. In case like this, Il 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 discov.
cry to obtain It."
At his sternness, the woman's eyes
reflected genuine fear and her cheeks
paled beneath her rouge But proving
equal to the occasion. she regained
her poise.
II did," she admitted. with every in
dication Of candor. ut was very i'm
portant for me to get 1t back. I didn't
want to mention It; but you see, it's
my husband I'm afraid of. he disap-
proved Of this charity and forbade me
to contribute to 1t. He is very strict.
and as am dependent on him. hoped
to recover the check without his hear.
ing about It."
Rankin remained unmoved. "Set
your mind at rest; promise You he
will never learn Of 1t through me. Stin
that won't excuse me from verifying
your claim about this check" He bent
toward her suddenly. "Who is your
husbandT'
"My husbandr" Alarmed, the WON.
an fumbled her handbag. 1T I
don't see what difference that makes"
she replied hesitantly. HE hasn't any
connection with all this with
this crime; it would be a waste of
time to bring him into It."
II can not neglect any line of inquiry ("
Rankin returned coldly. ''If he was
even slightly acquainted with Jordan.
he must be questioned. Are you GER
tain that you attempted to reclaim
this letter only because you feared he
would learn of it?"
"Of course that was ALI He was
prejudiced against this charity and
didn't wish to antagonIze him."
The detective became accusing. T
can suggest another reason for your
caution. madam" he asserted. @You
were still more apprehensive Of the
police than Of your husband; primari.
~. you tried to hide II from them. 7
suggest there is no check in this en-.
velone- hut a note to Stuart Jordan
yon dared not let the police see. You
couldn't have sent check By mistake