The morning times., 1895-08-25


clearinghouse that afternoon and was
ushered into very nicely furnished par
lor Cha rles HOLLYWOOD was not at
home, the maid told me, but l could see
the landlady Tell her ! come from his
sister, / said
She came into the parlor bristling
with imports n' - nd eagerness to be or
service I'm pGst plumb sorry Mr..
HOLLYWOOD amt ter home. But as his
room is the back parlor you can set
here an wait fur him. He's got com
pany-a mans, went out with him"
y sudden Inspiration seized me Was
it a short, stout man. | asked
Yes, IL was" said she lies been
calling on Mr. HOLLYWOOD regularly now
for weeks, and l never see poor young
man so upset as Mr.. HOLLYWOOD is by
them visits! | tell you she said, drop
ping into confidential whisper ''if
yere from his folks n New York, as We
say ye are, yes better warn them just
a leetle against the company he's fallen
in Mr.. HOLLYWOOD amt any too stiddy
at the best, an lately, what with his
fathers death an the company Of this
forbiddu' looSin' man, I'm worried about
him, n no mistake"
At dinner-time my loquaciouS hostess
invited me downstairs to the dining
room, aud accepted her hospitality The
short, stout man would return with Mr.,
Hollowood, the laudlady told me, and
would stay TO dinner, as he had for many
nights.
When | returned TO my post OF waiting.
i was surprised to hear voices ia the
back parlor There were broad folding
doors separating the two rooms And
at sound OF the voices l opened the con-
Meeting doors slightly
The young man was speaking.
Now get out" ne said. Here's $50 and
it's the last you'll get out OF me"
But suppose | tell the story"
Would you expect any one TO believe
you. crazy inventor, with not a dollar
30 his Hame?"
But what if can prove that you killed
him."
'Wen, suppose did Kill him. exclaimed
the young man, ina thick, angry voice. I'm
not sorry if did. have money now, and
that's more than had when he wasalive."
You're a fool TO talk like that" said the
other, "and VIII come when you are in
better humor. But can tell you now that
sands more than the little you have given
me-"
Then he went out and slammed the door
behind him. Thinking Charles HOLLYWOOD
safe, | rushed from the house and hurried To
keep pace with the short, stout man, whose
feet fairly flew over the ground, II was
midnight when he stopped in front of a poor
lodg ing-houss in a shabby part OF the city.
And after seeing him enter with Il latch
key | went to a small hotel on the corner and
turned in for an hour 8 sleep. This was H.
c." but | must know his name before |
could arrest him.
II was daybreak when | arose, ana the
clock in a ighboring stecple was strik-
ing >. 1t was cold and gray outside, ana l
shivered over my cup of coffee and rubbed
my fingers To wake them up.
Fifteen minutes later l rang the door
bell Of the poor lodging house. a light
haired, frowsy girl opened the door, rub
bing her eyes aud blinking as though just
from her sleep.
Good morning" I said, smiling at her
pleasantly. is my brother stopping hrre?"
what's his name"' snapped she.
Sure enough. How stupid of me. But
I've Travelled a long distance, and the sight
of a pretty face SO early in the morning
drives my senses away. Ny brothers name
is John Anderson"
wei, he amt here There amt no.
body stopping here of the name of An
Gerson"
why, that is strange He gave me this
street and number"
He must a made a mistake then" said
the frowsy girl, tina wing out little under
the sunshine Of my smiles for the only
ones in the house is old Mr. Jacques and a
new man that came few days ago"
And wha It's the new mans name2''
Herman Gelpcke," said she.
III. Gu | exclaimed, and bowling to
her | walked away.
A sign of "Brea kfast 80 cents claimed
my attention for a few minutes Then
l went back to the poor lodging-house and
rang the bell The sun had come out now
and the streets were full of laborers carry
ing their pals and hurryng TO their work
The same frowsy girl answered the sum
mons.
lis Mr.. Gelpckc stirring YETI" | asked, as
she stared at me with wide-open eyes.
Yes, sir But be Isn't here He left
five minutes ago, took his handbag with
him, and said he would not be back again."
i was so angry at myself that | could
have sworn all day. Calling a cab, drove
TO Charles Hollowood's address and went
directly to his room. ~ may catch Herman
Gelpecke here thought
But Gelpcke was not there Charles
HOLLYWOOD lay upon the bed in a heavy
drunken stupor from which | could not
shake him. So, chagrined and tired, |
threw myself upon my couch for snatch
Of much needed sleep. 1t was dusk when
| awoke, and some one was knocking at
my door. Come in" called.
Ny servant entered, bringing a card;
and the card read:
Mr. Herman Gelpcke.
''Show him in | cried, springing to
my feet And the muCh-desired Herman
Gelpcke stood before me. The description
short and stout" gives one only an idea
of the massiveness of the frame of the man
who entered. His face was deeply fur
rowed with lines which, around his eyes,
| curved in ard giving him close, ugly look.
And when he spoke he uttered his words
| slowly and with broad German accent
Il am addressing the detec ctive, Mr.
Martnot?" said he. Then allow me to
seat myself, for / have come to engage
your services upon a case which will
require, first, an explanation from me"
/ drew chair near to listen, wonder,
ing if l had Il mailman to deal with He
| settled himself ard began:
ITO have you understand the very pc
! culiar and serious position which l AM
| placed" said he, Il must go back to the
period when L was young man.
Twenty years ago a young German
cabinetmaker occupied an attic in modest
liIiIditnrr On a Sfln 81 q mic