Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-03-10
CHAPTER MI.
TAKERS DISCOVERY.

With deft fingers the detective
searches each compartment A number
Of legal papers, a few bundles OF stock
certificates. now worthless, few let
tiers. nothing more. Then he turns to
the drawers in the bottom part OF the
desk, three in number. He tries the
first: IL IS locked, but bundle Of key S
bangles from the lock OF the leaf of
the desk. He removes the key and
tries it in the draw-it fits the draw
opens.
A bundle Of newspapers Carelessly
he looks at the first. II details the
failure OF O c PIPER mining omrany,
and, yes, Adrian Dykes nam is among
the stockholders. He does not exam
inc any Of the remaining papers, but
searches further through the rubbish
for which the drawer has been made q
receptacle. He reaches the bottom,
ali, what is this! His eyes dilate as he
sees an object that sets his heart beat
ing wildly-a small, black leather COW
cred book.
He takes It out, he opens it. and
with an exclamation Of satisfaction,
chances through 1t.
Upon the inside of the cover is writ
ten with lead pencil, Ezra Wilbur,
NJ. D."
He has found the notebook! He In
SO ovcrjoyed at his find, that he for
gets where he is and waltzes several
times around the room. Then recol-
lecting himself he sits down, first lock-
ing the drawer and putting the keys
where he has found them. then turns
over the pages.
They are Tiled with memoranda in
the doctors hand writing, all in lead
pencil. He suddenly comes to a stop.
There is leaf missing-a leaf, liter
ally torn out of the book, as II the
person had been in haste: for the rag
ged. uneven edges of the remaining
portion can be plainly seen. Who
could have torn out this leaf? Adrian
Dyke? II so, for what purpose? to
destroy the record upon 1t? Why
would this be necessary seeing that he
has the book in his possession? Why
destroy the leaf, reserving the book
which can be of no value to him? Why
not destroy the book without going 10
the unnecessary trouble Of tearing out
the leaf?
These thoughts flashed through the
mind Of the detective with lightning
like rapidity. He Is puzzled, but he Ii
now fully convinced that Adrian Dyke
Is the murderer Of DIR. Wilbur. He
puts the notebook in his pocket and
steps to the door. He listens; the
sounds of sorrow are still plainly heard
from the upper portion Of the house.
= lie determines TO await further devel-
opments. Nearly an hour has elapsed
since Adrian Dyke left him. He must
have forgotten all about his presence
in the house.
A violent ring ut the bell The
servant who has admitted him, hur-
ries down the stairs and opens the
door. He admits d man-Dr. Gareaul
The young physician hurries up the
stairs Taker steps out into the hall
"Will your master be down AGAIN."
he asks Of the servant "He told me
to wait"
He has done nothing Of the kind,
but Taker thinks It best to say 90.
81 will see, SIR" and the man disap-
pears up the stairs.
In q few moments, the master Of the
house makes his appearance. He
thinks himself unseen, and Taker OBJ
serves that hiA face 10 radiant, Why
In he so joyful. and his relative dying9
The master sees Taker, and assumes
an air Of deep sorrow.
"You must pardon me for leaving
you so abruptly; forgot you were In
the house. You can inform your
principals that l do not wish 70 do
business with them. When my mort
cages come due, l shall take them up"
Take them up? Then he expects 70
have money. From what source?
every well, sir" answeres the de-
tective. 81 shall bear your message"
He IL shown TO the door. In q few
minutes he Il at the gate. Il 10 grow
ing dark, the hour Is past seven. These
summer twilights are long.
He climbs into his buggy, observing
that the professional equipage Of the
doctor In near.
A thought enters his mind; Why not
wait and see the doctor, and tell him
what he has discovered? He will do
90. He drives some distance up theroad
and waits In q short time he hears
the sound of horses feet upon the
road Tho doctor Is approaching
him.
cdr. Gareau?"
THAT is my name," refining In his
horse