ry and was signed, "Your own Tom." One
line read: "I hope with all my heart that the authorities bring the
guilty party to justice."

"How could he pen that if he was guilty himself?" said Letty, pointing
to the line. "Oh, Uncle Adam, you must look elsewhere for the one who
did this foul deed."

"I wish I knew where he got that counterfeit?"

"Perhaps I can find out for you."

"Can you tell me where he stays when in New York?"

"At the Kingdon House, on Broadway."

"Then I may look him up."

"Cannot I do something?"

"Yes--wait and keep quiet, Letty."

"But you will try to clear him, if you can, won't you?"

"I am going to try to find the guilty party."

"It is dreadful to remain here and do nothing, with such a cloud
hanging over one."

"Then take a vacation. It will do you good. Get Miss Harringford to
come in here--she knows the ropes--and you go off in the country or to
the seashore. I'll make you an allowance of fifty dollars for the
trip. Take it out of the cash on hand. And, Letty, don't worry too
much."

The girl smiled, but it was not a smile to please one. "Very well,
I'll go off," she said, and turned back to her desk. "I'll take the
time off to help clear poor Tom," she murmured to herself.

CHAPTER XVI

SOMETHING ABOUT A SECRET SERVICE MAN

On the following morning the newspapers brought to Adam Adams the full
particulars of the Langmore inquest, with the finding of the coroner's
jury. The papers also described how Margaret Langmore had fainted and
been placed at a nurse's residence, under the care of a physician and
guarded by the police. By a few it was supposed that the girl's
illness was genuine, but the general opinion was that it was assumed,
in order to draw public sympathy. Raymond Case was pictured as a
loyal, but misguided young man, and it was hinted that his relatives
were much chagrined to see him remaining at the accused girl's side, in
view of the evidence which had been brought to light.

The detective read the accounts with interest and then leaned back in
his office chair in a thoughtful mood. Letty had absented herself and
in the outer office was another girl, who had done substitute work
before. Suddenly the detective arose with decision, went to the
telephone, and rang up Central.

"Hullo!"

"Give me 45678 Park."

There was a buzz and then a heavy voice came over the 'phone.

"Hullo!"

"Is that you, Vapp?"

"Yes. Is this Mr. Adams?"