The Argosy, January 1907 — page 191: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE LETTERS MARKED Xx. “There! What do you make of it?” Bridger took it up and looked it over rather indifferently. ‘“ Ordinary stamped envelope—cor- rectly addressed to yourself, and mailed at Chicago a couple of weeks ago. It has evidently gone through the mails and been opened by yourself. There- fore,’ he concluded, with mock gravity, ‘“{ deduce, Tom, that you have received a letter within the past month.” ‘Anything else peculiar about the en- velope? ” ‘“Um—no. Yes, there is, too. Your correspondent has marked the upper left-hand corner with a double x.” ‘That's it!” ‘“Well—why did he do it?” “Tell me who he is and what he’s writing about, and I may be able to an- swer that question. Read the letter, and see what you make of that. Most of the mystery is inside.” Bridger spread before him the half- sheet of note-paper anc droned: “Dear J.: Everything O. K. First thousand to-day easy. More to-mor- row. Don’t try to write—will keep you posted. Worked well. Be ‘“ Um—um?’” remarked the detective, looking up. ‘“ Who zs the gentleman, Tom?” “That is precisely what I want to know.” ‘But his letter is directed to you, and he addressed you pretty familiarly as “Dear [.”” ‘“T know that perfectly, my dear boy, but I haven’t a ghost of a notion about ‘F’ or his identity. In fact, after a good deal of thought, I discovered the curious fact that there is absolutely no one among my intimate friends whose name, either Christian or surname, be- gins with f.” Bridger scratched his head and smiled slightly. Jordan produced the next of the several letters. “Now cast your eyes on this one, Dick.” The indifference seemed to be leaving the detective as he bent over the second envelope. “Same address—same handwriting— and the same two «x’s in the corner as 373 well. Mailed a day or two later, some- where in Illinois.” Read it {” “Splendid to-day. Twelve thousand, and might have been more. Even bet- ter than I expected, Smooth as butter. Move again to-night. FE.” “ Well, °F’ seems to be pretty well satisfied and making money fast, doesn’t her “So it appears to me. Try the next.” Again Bridger looked curiously at the double-« mark, and this time his fingers brought forth the sheet with real ani- mation. “Seven thousand—then nine thou- sand—and four thousand this morn- ing! Simply wonderful! Keep tabs and check off when the time comes. Remember this. i Pies Bridger looked up with a laugh. ““F’s going to. be a millionaire be- fore he quits!” “Looks that way. Dick.” The fourth letter was from a town in Ohio, and did not seem quite so op- timistic. Have another, “Only three thousand, and mighty risky at that. Was almost afraid. Bet- ter luck to-morrow. FR.” “Oh, I don’t think three thousand was so very bad!” Bridger remarked. “Have you any more, Tom?” ‘“Only one, which came last evening. This was the one that made me resolve to show you the things, Dick.” “ Let’s have-it, then.” It was child! luck Looks } pad “Twenty-one thousand, J.! like taking candy from a Never expected so much sheer when we started in, did you? easier every blessed day! “Yes, it certainly does look easy!” the detective commented dryly. ‘ Well, any more?” =F bat S-- asl make of them?” ‘What do you make of them?” ‘IT don’t know. There—well, there Dick, What do you (EO) .OO mie S (E@)