His vigil, however, was not in vain, for three hours after dawn the criminal was behind prison bars. Below is a copy of the "Fatal Letter." Can you discover the secret message contained therein, the solution of which led to the arrest of the criminal? Don't be discouraged because the detective spent a night over it. Perhaps you are even sharper than the detective. He had no clew. Neither can one be given to you. But this much may be said, the message is not a haphazard affair, but follows a distinct plan.
THE LETTER.
Beloved Sister,—Dwellers of this town have been much excited over a little affair of recent happening. A servant stole from a rich woman what she called a ewer; it was brought from over the ocean. It was of fine porcelain with heavy gilt edges and a calm summer scene painted on the sides. A man of this town will soon begin sheep-raising. If that old ewe is saleable send her on. It is the druggist who wants her; R. Jones is his name. He will marry soon a girl of this city; his wedding gift is a diamond necklace of elegant and chaste design. It must have cost every cent of a thousand dollars.
The man who lived next door is dead. He took a draught of poison and only lived two hours after. His wife was once the belle of the town. She keeps crying, "I'll take poison myself." Yet he was a poor provider; they had meat only once a month, and their table was always ill supplied. He was also as meddlesome as a flea and of very uncertain temper. Quite lately he quarrelled with me because of my statement concerning a lump of iron ore which he owned. Answer this soon and don't forget about the old ewe. Ah, another bit of news. The woman at the candy store has found a dye that has turned her gray tresses as black as a coal.
Brother Tom.
How We Interested Our Chapter.
A few weeks ago the Allen Chapter, 715, was on the verge of "breaking up." The writer, who is president and a Founder, thought long and at last found a way by which he could start an interest again. It was this. We began to publish a paper called the Allen Courier. Only one copy was made, and that was written. A circuit was started—i.e., a member, after keeping the paper a day, handed it to the next on the list. In this paper the writer, who is editor-in-chief, inserted stories written by the members, clippings, Chapter news, etc., and so started a fresh interest in the glorious old Allen. At the next meeting all were on hand.
Claude T. Reno.
Allentown, Pa.