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

didn't say why she was interested In
Mr.. Jordan's man. To tell the truth
was SO surprised by her questions
that I gave her the information she
was after and she went. before had q
chance to think 1t over. Then the only
thing could do was get in touch with
you; only wasn't able to get around
to It until this letter arrived"
1--WE decided to call for It at once,
Rankin announced abruptly. 'This
requires immediate investigation. Ex
pect me In about ten minutes. Mr..
Thorne."
Hurriedly. he rang of and FASTENED
from headquarters into the city hall
courtyard below. where his machine
was parked There was ample cause
for his growing excitement, In Mr..
Thorne's recital. which the postmaster
could not appreciate. It was the first
indication in the case that q woman
had had some contact with the dead
boy. Thus far. all the evidence mega
lived the existence Of any girl IN his
life: the absence of feminine letters,
the ignorance of members Of the fra
ternity and Mr.. Merrick's testimony.
And now suddenly out Of nowhere. this
woman appeared. mysteriously inter.
ested In the student and. In all prob.
ability, being at least indirectly con-
cerned In his death. Otherwise, she
would have come forward openly and
offered her assistance. rather than
hide and surreptitiously attempt to
learn about his mail.
Twelve minutes after leaving head
quarters. he parked his car behind
a long. low gray limousine. outside
the university dormitories. AS he
turned into the Gothic arch within
which. on the right. was the post Office.
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. "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 a letter."
Rankin could scarcely credit his
good fortune. "She's back7 You
haven't told her you are holding one
for met"
i've said nothing, SIR" The post.
master was breathless. II was hop
ing to delay her until you got here !;
so pretended I still had to open one
bag Of mail before I could be sure
whether Jordan had any letters. Then
] 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 II she
has to stay much longer"
The detectives decision was fnstan-
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. II
this 10 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 I ought to interfere. But
whatever happens" he paused for EN-.
phasis, do not permit her to get hold
Of the letter under any circumstances.
Won unHarafonAq Ana A. nm - .,
Rankin finished. behave as naturally
as you have up to now. We stand a
better chance Of learning her game
II we don't rouse her suspicious"
he allowed the postmaster a 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 particular mail box, Rankin
moved within hearing distance.
The postmaster. holding an envelope
In his hand, was saying, "a. this
letter from Gladwyne is for Mr.. Jor-
dan. But that's the only one"
"Never mind; that's the one l want"
the woman interrupted: she tried I'M.
successfully to dlssemble her eager.
ness and relief. 1.-THE one I sent him.
I'm so glad you were able to find It.
You see. made such stupid mis-
take; mailed out a check to aid a
charity support and a birthday card
to Mr.. Jordan at the same time. And
fOOlishly mixed the two up and nut
the check In his envelope e She talked
quickly. to make her story convincing
Il was so worried I wouldn't be able
20 stnp II before II was delivered
But It's all right now; so II you1l Just