67>e eloo ” He nodded exultantly. "That's it Now, who was the worn an? From the first I was certain it A Mystery could not be hie daughter—the very thought was preposterous. Ft seem« Of Two almost equally absurd, however, tc Continents suppose that Holladay could be mlxel up with any other woman. He cer­ tainly has not beeu for the last quarter BURTON E. of a century—but before that—’well. It's not so certain. Aud there's one strik­ STEVENSON ing point which seems to Indicate his Copyright, 1901 by guilt." Henry Holt and "Yes—you mean, of course, her re Company semblance to bis daughter." “Precisely. Such a resemblance mu-t exist—a resemblance unusual, even welcome the adventure. My curiosity striking—or it would not for a moment won tbe battle. have deceived Rogers. We must re “Very well.” I said. ‘Til be glad to member, however, that Rogers’ ortici accept your invitation, Mr.”— was not brilliantly lighted and that b< He nodded approvingly. merely glanced at her. Still, whatevei "There spoke the man of sense. minor differences there may have be» u. Well, you shall not go unrewarded she had the air, the general appearance, Godfrey Is my name—no, you don't the look, of Miss Holladay. Mere facial know me, but I'll soon explain myself. resemblance may happen In a hundred Here’s my cab.” ways by chance, but tbe air, the look, 1 mouutel into It, he after me. lt tbe ’altogether.’ Is very different—It l:i seemed to me that there was ir un dicates a blood relationship. My the usual number of loiterers about the orv Is that she Is an Illegitimate child, door of the building, but we were oil perhaps four or five years older than in a moment, and I did not give them a second thought. We rattled out into Miss Holladay.” I paus«l to consider. The theory Broadway and turned northward for was reasonable, and yet It bad Its the three mile straightaway run to Union square. I noticed In a moment : faults. "Now, let's see where this leads us, that we were going at a rate of speed ' he continued. "Let us assume that rather exceptional for a cab, and I: | Holladay has been providing for this steadily increased as the driver fou af illegitimate daughter for years, At a clear road before him. My compau last, for some reason, be Is induced to ion threw up tbe trap In tbe roof of withdraw this support, or. perhaps, the tbe oab as we swung around Into Till.- girl thinks her allowance Insufficient. teentli street. At* any rate, after, let us suppose, in­ "All right, Sam?" be called. effectual appeals by letter, she doe* Tlie driver grinned down at us the desperate thing of calling at bls through the hole. office to protest In person. She finds “All right, sir.” be answered. "They him Inexorable—we know his reputa couldn’t stand the pace a little bit. tlon for obstinacy when be had once They're distanced.” made up his mind. She reproaches Tbe trap snapped down again. We him—she Is already desperate, remem­ turned into Sixth avenue and stopped ber—and he answers with that stinging in a moment before the Studio, gray sarcasm for which lie was nat«l. In and forbidding without, but a dream an ecstasy of anger ?he snatches up within. My companion led the way up­ tbe knife and stabs him; then, in an stairs to a private room, where a fable agony of remorse, endeavors to check stood, ready set for us. The oysters the blood. She sees at last that it is appeared before we were fairly seated. useless, that she cannot save him, and "You see.” he smiled, “I made bold leaves the office. All this Is plausible. to believe that you’d come with me, Isn’t It?” and so had the dinner already ordered." "Very plausible,” I assented, look­ I looked at him without replying^ 1 ing at him in some astonishment. "You was completely In tbe dark. Could forget one thing, however. Rogers tes­ this be the writer of the mysterious tified that be wus Intimately acquaint­ ed with the affairs of his employer and that he would Inevitably have known of any Intrigue such as you suggest." My companion paused for a mo- ment's thought. "I don't believe that Rogers would so Inevitably have known of It," he said at last. "But, admit that—then there Is another theory. Holladay has not been supporting his lllegit mat child, who learns of her parentage ..nJ goes to him to demand her rights. That fits the case, doesn't it?” “Yes," I admitted. “It also Is plausl- Me." "It is more than plausible,” he snid quietly. "Whatever the details may be, the body of the theory Itself Is un­ impeachable—It’s tbe only 6ne which fits the facts, I believe It capable of pnsif. Don’t vou see how the note helps to prove it?” "The note?” I started nt the word, nnd my susp! clous sprung Into life ngnin. I looked nt him quickly, but his eyes were on the cloth and ho was rolling up lnnu merable lltth* pellets of bread. "Thnt note." he added, "proved two things. One was thnt the writer wns deeply Interested In Miss Holladay’s welfare: the other was that he or she “Of course t/ou’rs puzzled,” he knew Rogers, the rlerk. Intimately— note? Rut wliat could his object be? Above nil, why should lie so expos» more than intimately; almost ns* wo! as a physician knows an old patient. ’ bituaelf? He smiled again as liecuughi “I admit the first,” I said. “'You*!.’ my glance. have to explain the second." "Of course you're pusaled.” he sal»! “The second Is self evident. How “Well, I'll make a clean breast of tin did the writer of the note know of Rog­ matter at once I want«l to tall» ers' infirmity?” with you about this Holladay case, "His Infirmity?" and I daclded thnt a dinner at th» "Certainly—his color blindness, I con ktUlilo would lie Just the ticket." fess I'm puzzled. How could any ont 1 nodded, Tht> soup was a thing tc ebe know ft when Rogers hlmsel ruarvid at. didn’t know ft? That’s what I shoul "You were right," I assent«». "Th- like to have explained. Perhaps there’s Idea wits a stroke of genius.” only one man or woman In the work "T knew you'd t'jfnk so. You see who cotild know. Well, that’s the om since this morning I've tieen making who wrote the note. Now, who is it?" rather a study of you. That coup of “But," I tiegan quickly, then stopped yours at the «»ronar’s court this after Should I set hint right, or was this a noon was admirable, one of the bcsf* trap he had prepared for me? things 1 ever saw." His eyes were not on the cloth now. ! bowel tny a kpowlelgnients. but on me. There was a light tn thera I did not quite understand. I felt tha. »u er»-, ’hen ¡"4....... 1 must i.e v u y ground before I Cu4»i»u't uL'j.d t- i went forward. It." "It should be very easy to trace the "Th * color bll. ite. y >vaa a tor. * Writer of the note." I said. oue." "The polio« have not found It so»” "S » s nip' t t !t never o corred "No?” any one eine. 1 think we're too a “No. It was given to tbe doorkcept. to overtook tbe simple expía.ia;e at the best vague reporter . ud u >thai ■ i 'M and inilefinite. Besides, they’ve not to Indicate tin.t be m ide a i eveu found the boy. Now, to return to deadly enemy, at io* di • eta the note." ■.sit' i of ;>e >p.e vt ho t *s »rt We ha 1 come to tin* coffea and cigars, does away with rose and I felt it time to proteet. hand, no .ne vili gain by its death ’Tt»‘fore we return to tbe note. Mr a any will lo e by It- in fact, the wb Godfrey." I said. “I d like to ask you circle of Ida a-s‘K‘lntes will lose by Ii | two direct questknis What interest It ii . g t scetn. at first canee, that Ii. have you In the matter?" i gite would gali, but I think sir "TI.c Ii " st of e’tery lnveatlgat >r lo o most of i l She ali «ly had elr of crime.” he aiiswereil. smiling. tbe i *n'y alia could possibly ueeeak uu- cornel u«'!y “!Vhy. yes; certainly I'll be glad to. if you wish it,” be said “I do wish It.” Goldberg assured him with a tact n I penetration I thought admirable. • '. '. ri nicy dismiss the pú­ Ueeman who ith ber." Our Junk ■ '• <>k«l iuquirluy'y at the district attorney. “Before I go,” he what you Intend doing, sir?" “I Intend tin» lug tbe writer of that note," answer«! Singleton, smiling. “But, about Miss Holladay?” Singleton tapp»*d his lips thought fully with bls pencil. “Before I answer," be said at last, "I should like to go with you and ask het- one question.” “Very well.” assent«! Mr. Royce In stantly and its I the wav to the roou where Miss Holladay a»ult«l us. She rose with flushing face as we en ter«I and stood hsiking at us withotr •peaking; but, despite her iiduiirabb composure, 1 could guess how aha « : • rack«! with anxiety. "Miss Holladay.” liegan my chief, “this Is Mr. Sitiglrtou, tlie district at torney, who wishes to ask you a few questions." “One question ouly," corrected Sit gleton, bowlu/ "Wi fe you at youi la tiler’s ollhe yesterday afternoon. Mis- IIolladay?” “No. sir.” she answer«. Instantly nnd emphatically. "I have not been net tny father's office for more than week.” I saw him study her for n iijoinetit. then he bowed again. dou't think “That Is all." he said. in holding the evidence Justlfl»- her. Mr. Royce,” an I lie left the room. 1 followed lilm, for I knew that 1 ha ! no further part In ou- Junior's errand. I went back to our table and busied myself gathering t getlier our lielotig- Ings. The room bad gradually dear«! •nd at the end of ten niluutes only tbe coroner and his clerk remniued. They bad another case, It seemed, to open In th»* morning—another case which perhaps Involved Just ns g eat heartache and nnguldi as ours had. Five minutes later my cb'ef entne hur­ rying back to me mid a glance at his beaming ejes told me how lie hud been welcom«!. “Miss Boiladay baa atartad bona* ylth her ma d," he said "She aakre leaving for the night. Mr. Graham waa still at his desk, nnd be nt once demanded an account of tl i livutjig. I weut buck to my work, and si. caught only a word here • ntrnl t! > r. and we left it togel er. I was cn plvtelj lu •**• d irk as to niv comps ku'i punsxe. iiu»i jet it i *t‘d h iv>* b t 0 e expinnat on—i: ii.u-l 1, • lu »ou.e way wilo the Hoiiad ij c ”n’e« atiii I glaiovl at hl:u agi No. certainly, he was not a c >i.fi !■ ■■ juap ev«t If he wnsx I O’’M r-l' . ✓ c I -A 1 I accom pushed. The other was to a*k j.si to write oct for me a copy of the note.” ”B«t who was R pursued ua Broadway?” “Ob, I have rival»!” be cbuckl«l flatter myself that was rather neatly done. Will you give me a copy of the note. Mr. Lester?’ , "No,” I answered squarely. “You’ll have to go to the police for that I’m out of the case.” He bow«i across the table to me with a little laugh. As I look«l at him bls imperturbable good humor touched me. .“I’ll tell you one thing, though.” 1 added; "the writer of the note knew nothing of Rogers’ color blindness. You’re off the scent there.” "I am?” he asked amazedly. "Then how did you know It, Mr. Lester?" "I suppose you detectives would call it deduction. I d«iuced it.” He took a contemplative puff or two as be look«l at me. "Well,” be exclaimed at last, “I must say that beats me! D«luced it! That was mighty clever.” Again I bowed my, acknowledgments. "And that's al> you can tell me?” he added. “I'ni afraid that’s all.” "Very well. Thank you for that much,” and he flicked the asliea from his cigar, “Now, I fear that I must leave you. I’ve a good deal of work to do. and you've opened up a very interesting line of speculation. I as- sure you that I’ve passed a very pleas­ ant evening. I hope you’ve not found It tiresome?” “Quite the contrary.” I said heartily. “I’ve enjoyed,myself immensely.” "Then I'll ask you one last favor, My cab ¡s’ at the door. I’ve no fur- tiler use for it, and I beg you'll drive home i;i 1 saw i _tat be really wished it. “Whj. yes. certainly,” I assented. “Thank you,” he said. He t ’ k me down to the door, called the cab and shook hands with me warmly. “Goodby, Mr. Lester." he said. “I'm glad of the chance to have met you. I’m not really such a mysterious In­ dividual, It's merely a trick of the trade. I hope we'll meet again some time.” "So do I.” I said, and meant It. I saw him stand for a moment on the curb looking after us as we drove away, then be turu«l aud ran rapidly up tbe steps of the elevated. The driver seem«l In no hurry to get me home, and I bud plenty of time to think over the events of the evening, but I e uld make nothing of them. What tx suit he bad achieved I* could uot Imagine. And yet be bad seemed satisfied. As to his theory, I could not but admit that it was an adroit oue. even a masterly one—a better one, cer­ tainly, than I should have evolved un aided. , The cab drew up at my lodging and I sprang out, tipped the driver and ran up the steps to tbe door. My landlady met me on the threshold. “Oh, Mr. Lester!" she cried. "Such a time as I’ve had this night! Every five minutes there’s been somebody here looking for you. and there’s a crowd of them up In your room now. I tried to put them out, but they wouldn’t go!" U. 0. CLASSES WILL. BE dismissed Several M¡íd Cases cf Smallpox at the Dormitory Facutly Thinks Best DismiZj Classes Till After Holidays — Every Prrcau’ion Taken To Prevent a Spread I CHAPTER VI. WAS quite dazed for the moment. "A crowd of them in my room!" I repeat«!. "A crowd of whom. Mrs. Fitch?” “A crowd of reporters! They’ve been worrying my life out. They seemed to think I had you hid somewhere. I hope you're not In troulde, Mr. Lester ?” “Not tbe least In the world, my dear madam," I laughed. And I breathed a long sigh of relief, for 1 had feared I know not what disaster, ‘Til soon tin tsh with the reporters.” And I went on up the stair. Long before I reached my rooms T heard the clatter of voices and caught the odor of various qualities of tobac­ co. They were lolling about over the furniture, telling stories. I suppose, and they greeted me with a cheer when 1 entered. They were such Jovial fe» lows that It was quite Impossible to feel nngry with them. And. Itesfdes. T knew that they were gentlemen: that they labored early and late nt meager »claries for the pure love of the work: - tb»t they were quick to scent frnml m trl< kery or unworthiness and Inexora­ ble tn exposing It: that they loved to do good anonymously, remaining nt terly unknown save to the appreciative I few behind the s em s So I returns their greeting smilingly and sat n: : down in a ■ l.‘.'- oii.fi one of then obligingly luxated tor me. "Well?" I began, looking about a! I them. "My dear Mr. Lester,” said the om who bad given me the chair, “permit me to Introduce myself as Rankin of tbe Da net. These gentlemen"—and he included them in a wide gesture—"a.-v I my colleagues of the press. We've been anxiously awal'lug you here In ordei that we may propound to you certain questions.” "All right; fire away." I said. “First, we'd like to have your theory of the crime. ~ Your work thia after Boon convln<*«l us that you know bow to put tw» and two together, which Is more than can be said for the ordl- nary mortal, The public will want tc know your theory— tbe great publl “Oh. but I haven't any theory.” I protested. "Besides. I don't think tbe great public Is especially interest«! In me Tot* see. gentlemen. I’m quite out of tbe c-i When we cleared Miss Ho ’aday ■ nr < «tine tk»n with it Bn-led.' "Rut is M!*s Holladay cleared?” he persisted. "Is It not quit* conceivable tb..t in thv »«• two hour* she was ab-et.t It la protaLle that beginning tomor­ They greeted me with a cheer when I en row the classes at tbe Univttdty 0( tercd. Oregon will he dismitsed until stt»r 1 the Chrietmus holidays. Tbia actieu never Wore green ?" "Oh. nonsense!” I cried. "That's will no doubt be taken at ■ meeting puerile. Either she would disguise her­ ot tbe facnltv tomorrow moroiug. self effectually or not at all. I suppose The cause cf this it tbe existence ot if you were going to commit a capital ft ur eery light, cases of small. crime you would merely put on a high hat because you never wear oue! 1’11 1 yox in the donuit,ory. The durmitory tell you this muNi: I’m morally cer­ ’ bai t.eeti quarantined and there is oo tain that Miss Holladay is quite inuo great (larger of the dlsvase spreading cent; so, I believe, is the district at­ HU.ong the students, but Inasaucb aa torney.” the holidays are so close at hand it "But how about the note, Mr. Les­ was deen.e! sdvnalic to dismiss tta ter? What did it contain?" I classes no *. "Oh, I can’t tell you that, you know. While the etudents are a»ay every It's none of my business.” room in all tbe tuildings ou tbe cao "But you ought to treat us all alike,' ' pus will he thoroughly fumigated at! be protested. it is expeeted tht a by the titre It "I do treat you all alike.” “But didn’t Godfrey get It out of clasts are again taken up tbe student» who ate now^afflicted will be entirely you?” / "Godfrey:” I repeated. “Get it out of recovered. President Campbell is urging al me?” lie stared at me in astonishment. the student« to be vaccinated sou "Do you mean to tell me. Mr. Les­ thus assist materially lu prerenti.g ter,” be questioned, "that you haven’t tbe spread of tte disease. Every pre­ been spending the evening with Jim caution will be takeD to_eliminate*all Godfrey of tbe Record?” traces^of" the disease during the bol* Then, in a dash, I understood, and as I looked at the rueful faces of tbe men ¡days and wheu tbe students return gathered about me I laughed until the they will have no fear of contracting IE tears came. While it is ucfortnm te that small­ "So It was you,” I gusped, “who chased us up Broadway?” pox has broken out among the eta- He nodded. dents and a week's time will be lost, “Yes. but our horses weren't good President Campbell and tbe members enough. Where did he take you?” of the faculty are net worrying over “To the Studio—Sixth avenue.” the matter. They are confident ot “Of course!” he cried, slapping bls leg. "We might have known. Boys, successfully coping with tbe conta­ gion. The president sd^iies the stu­ we’d better go back to I'oduuk.” "Well, at least, Mr. Lester,” spoke up dents who live at a dials >ee to re­ another, "you oughtn't to give Godfrey main in Eugene for a few days in or­ a scoop.” der that the germs of tbe disease may “But I didn’t give him a scoop. 1 nut be carried 'o the several homes ot didn’t even know who he was.” those who rnlgnt have become expos­ "Didn’t you tell him what was in th * ed. note?” Tbe physicians iu attendance upon “Not a word of It. I told him oulv tbe student« who are afflicted staia one tlrtng.” that the dbeaae is iu a very mil! "Aud what was that?” "That the person who wrote tbe note form aud none of them are very 111. didn't know that Rogers was color The names ot tbe students are Arnn blind.''You are welcome to that state piger, Hammock, Fountain an! ment too. You see, I’m treating you a'! I Cleveland. alike." They stood about me staring down at me. silent with astonishment. "But." I added. "I think Godfrey sus­ pects what was in tlie note.” “Why?" » “Well, his theory fits it pretty close Frank Inmap\bf Elmira, eihibited ly." “His theory! What Is his theory. Mr to the Guard force today some curl Lester?” oils coins From lf55 to I860 the oil “Ob. come." I laughed. "That's tell­ pioneer, Norrta Humphrey, kept a ing. It's a good theory too." They looked at each other, and, I store tbrte ml eg east of Elmira, an) these coms »ere found near tbe oil fancied, gnashed their teeth. "He seems a pretty clever fellow," I store house. One of tbe coins is evi­ added, Just to pile up the agony. "I dently a 12' .-cect piece, but is f< fancy you'll say so, too. when you see badly worn that tbe date and value ii bls theory In tomorrow's paper.” uncertain. A f.3 gold piece sal “Clever!” cried Rankin. "Why. he’* a very fiend of cleverness when it found that looks ae if it bad jnel come fretn tbe mint. It was coiofi Comes to n case of th!% kind. We’re n In the same class with him. He's a at San brauoieco in 1850. Tbe thud fancy fellow—Just tlie Record kind piece was a Mexican dollar of 18H You're sure you didn't tell him any and was plowed up from a potatt thing else. Mr. Lester?" he added anx patch a few days ego where It bad lously. “Godfrey’s capable of getting a been for abuot 53 jeers. story out of a fence post.” “No. I’m quite sure I didn't tel) him anything else. I only listened to hit theory with great Interest.” "And assented to It?” "I said I thought It plausible." SOME COINS WITH A HISTORY SOLDIER’S MON­ UMENT RECEIVED An electric shock sfiem«l to run around the room. •That's it!" cried Rankin. "That’» what lie wanted. Now, It Isn't lila theory any more. It's yours. Oh, I can see his headlines! Won’t you tell us what it was?” I look«l up at him. “Now, frankly. Mr. Rankin.” I asked, “if you were in my place would you tell?" He hesitated for a moment and then held out bls hand. “No." he said as J took it. “1 ahouldn't Shake hands, sir; you’re all right. Come on, boy*; we might a» well be going.” E. C. Lake, tbe martle worker, ;*• ■ terday received a carload and a bait ol fine granite and marble from Ver moot. Included in tbe shipment a 7-foot figure of a soldier, to N paced on tbe G. A. R. lot io tb* I ! O. O, F. cemetery, provision fol wblcb was made In the will of the lat* John S. Covell. A fine monament t< be placed on tbe «Jampbell lot In ’be 1.0.0. F. cemetery wee also received* I I Continued Mrs. Ubarle» brutale,aged 4*3 year*, died at the borne of ber daughter. Mr». Harry Stewart, at Springfield December 12, 1905. The funeral held this forenoon at 10 o’clcek sad the remains Interred in tbe Eog*** A. F. A A. M. cemetery. Besides Mr*. Stewart, Mrs. Boatai* leaves two ether daughters, Mra. B»L ton Bally, of Qarltoo, and Mrs. ''*rl Fischer, of Msrcula. Alfalfa For Swine. The swine breeders are beginning to recognise the great value of alfalfa. Two sttong addresses were made on the subject An acre of alfalfa will keep three times as many hogs as an acre of red clover. Hogs like alfalfa a . ton. Tbe protein In a to:: of alfalfa almost eq : ils tlie protein in a t m of Fred Gower. ag» d 7C year* *e der m st pr »cure notnetb ■< cheap Plearar.t dill Decvmber 12,MM*- •** I’m In other employ.” u... v. aud then changed back again', er; hence grow alfalfa. l«*evl green in cause of dettb was a general tires*' "Ami what w as your object In brlt. : , m that case, would she not uaturu.l,- summer and th*» bar In wu ter.—A down. The funeral was bell i* * lug me here thia evening?" hive di on a greeu gown, since ai.»- afternoon, • with Interment in ’b‘ "vue . vti-'U vf mi object bas b«**n Pleasant Hill cemetery.