The Coolidge examiner., 1936-02-07

top. l say, Stone, what's this about
Richmond flurry?"
Its a ticklish job, old man, but
I think you can swing it. 1 want
you to go down to Richmond, STAY
a couple of days, then a day or
two in Washington. The idea is to
pick up any and all information
you can get about Corey Malden's
life, his friends, enemies, business
acquaintances and home life. |
don't know how you're to do 1t,
that's your business. Get into his
clubs, ask questions, quiz his serv-
ants. make up to the old lady, chase
the girls that set their caps for
Corey. l hear there are lot. Then.
in Washington get hold of Car.
michael and Carleton-you must
have some friends there who can
introduce you"
"All right. About expenses?"
Bring me your list. Want some
ready money!"
mo, I've plenty, unless the thing
runs up big, then I'll wire"
How about your peOple?"
Haven't any except Mother. I'll
fix it with her, and get off. At
once"
"Yes. say tomorrow. I'll list up
some names tonight. Or today.
You'd better take night train"
do l tell Perilla?"
"Not now. I'll see to that"
"Communicate with you openly ?"
"Yes, it isn't really secret serv.
ice, but get at Farman, and see
where we stand. Good-by, Coles.
Drop in this evening for the lists"
With a nod Bob departed and
Fleming Stone sat down to think
over what he had done.
Little he dreamed what would
happen, and whittier his fears
should be directed.
..
While his new assistant was away
on his Washington trip Fleming
Stone was doing all he could tx
clear up matters against his return.
There were so many things to
think about. Was it wise to let
Perilla start off on that California
trip? He saw no reason against
it, and he was glad to have Bob go
along.
Stone had carefully studied the
scraps Of penmanship that Perilla
had dutifully collected for him.
While they gave him no exact in
formation it did stir his imagina.
tion that at least two of the we'd
ding party had criminal tendencies,
while four or five were liars.
He took this information, how
ever, with a grain of salt, for his
knowledge of graphOlOgy was not
exhaustive. But he felt that if
these stray bits of lore corrob-
GRATED his suspicious, at least that
was a step in the right direction.
But depend upon them, he did
not.
Nor did he feel over-great inter
est in the statistics that go to
prove the criminal has certain
physical characteristics that be-
token his depravity to the layman's
eye. A physician experienced in
moral degeneracy or dementia prae-
cox might be impressed by such
physiological details, but not the
average student of humanity.
Then, went on Stones thoughts,
since l confess I'm not an expert
diagnostician, l must go to one who
is. 1 wonder if old Simpson will
remember me. l think he will.
Deciding to go to see Doctor
Simpson Stone rose just as the tel
ephone rang.
1t proved to be Perilla. "Come
round to dinner" she said. I'm
planning my motor trip" Stone went
at once to Perilla's home.
when will Bob be back?" was
her first question.
I'm not sure; in a few days, ]
think. probably about Monday"
".All right. You'll let him go to
California with us, won't you?"
'Td be sorry to have him miss
the chance. And yet"
Never mind and yet Now, are
you certain you can't go?"
positive. 1 only wish I might.
How long will the trip be?"
NEARLY a month, / suppose. !
must get away. This whole affair is
getting On my nerves. 1 thought |
was all right, but the doctor ad-
vises me to get away"
Run along, then, but don't stay
too long. There are many things
to be done. | may have some facts
by the time you get home again
81 hope So" said Perilla slowly.
"And if so, do you think we'd bet.
ter give up the quest?"
(TO BE CONTINUED