Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-18

II find traces of blood on each of the
two letters between which the missing
one lay. So far, SO good! Now, there is
but one course of action, and if that
fails shall be at sea; SO, Mr.. WILDLY,
keep your wits about you. The letter
taken from this file must have been of
| such nature that it would associate
the writer of 1t with the crime. That
means good deal. II is quite likely
that the murderer witnessed your un.
cle's reception of the letter and saw him
file it away; otherwise he could not
have gone 10 it SO readily. Now, what
we have to do is to find the envelope you
say your uncle threw into the waste
paper basket"
Impossible" said WILDLY.
"Why?"
Matthews has been looking after the
rooms since the maid went off, and he
takes out the waste paper as soon as it
accumulates. 1t must have been
thrown away several weeks ago."
where does he throw such things?"
II don't know"
Call him."
WILDLY rang, and in minute Mat
thews came up from the basement.
1--WE want to find certain blue en-
velope, Matthew'S" the detective began.
| at was thrown into this basket by Mr..
Strong about a month ago. Can you
help us?"
Il don't know, sir. have been emp
tyin' everythin' of that kind in the eel,
lar. I keep all the papers in one barrel
and all the rags in another, and junk
shop man comes every now and then"
"And gives you little something for
keeping the stuff for him." interrupted
Hendricks.
Eyes, sir" the servant nodded.
| HAS he been here lately?"
Just a day or so before the murder.
cir. I remember"
Gould you take Mr.. WILDLY and my
self to his placer" said the detective.
1--WE might be in time to keep our bit of
evidence from being made up into new
paper"
'Yes, sir, without any trouble. Ills
shop is on First street, under the bridge.
1t is pretty tough place, sir, but we
can take the cars and get down quick
enough"
II see am to be of no further assis-
tance," jested Miss Delmar.
II didn't quite think you would care
to soil your skirts III ragman's shop"
replied the detective. "But as soon as
we get clew, Mr.. WILDLY may bring
the news to you. We'd better be going,
too"
Hendricks and Matthews started out
at once. WILDLY fingered in the draw
ing-room with Miss Delmar.
IF you have the time, you might stay
here until we RETURN" said WILDLY.
II am sure we shan't be long,"
"rllwaitan hour, anyway" the young
lady promised. II am dying to know
if you accomplish anything. But run
on; they are waiting for you, and here
comes the car"
In ten minutes the three men had
renched the bridge spanning the murky
river and were entering the shop indi-
Gated by Matthews.
1--WE must tell him exactly what we
want" Hcndrickswhispered to WILDLY
Mt the door. HE hasn't very honest
face, and if he thinks we have lost some
thing of intrinsic value he may tell us
lot of lies. Usually they do all they can
to aid u detective
"Ah, see," answered WILDLY. II
should have blundered there if 1 had
been Alone"
The dealer, little Jew, with very
crafty face, came from behind q coun-
ter piled up high with sacks Of rags and
paper.
What can do for you, gentlemen p"
he asked.
In few words Hendricks explained
what they were searching for.
"Ah! and you want to catch him, eh !?
Well, hope you can," said the Jew.
II think know the bags got from
dere. They are up in the loft. will
throw them down, and you can look
through them here"
"You are very good" said Hendricks;
that's exactly what we want"
The Jew ran up ladder through a
hole in the ceiling, and in a moment
three sacks filled with old paper tum-
bled down at their feet.
Hendricks pointed to clean place on
the floor, and said to Matthews: "Shake
them out"
| Matthews emptied one of the bags in
a heap, and WILDLY bent over it.
mo doubt about the stuff being from
our house," he said. Here is note adj
dressed to me, and there are some old
bills of uncle's." But after five min
utes' search he declared he saw no en-
velope which looked like the one he had
In mind. The second bag was searched
without success. but the third had hard
~ been opened before WILDLY picked
up large, square envelope.
II think this must be it," he said.
"You are right; it matches the color
Of the paper. They must have gone
together" replied the detective: and he
opened the case of his watch and held
the corner of the envelope down to the
front of the tiny bit. I'VE are all right
SO far" Hendricks walked to the front
Of the shop alone, studying, with q
wrinkled brow, the envelope. WILDLY
paid the Jew for his trouble, and then
Joined him.
"Can you make anything out of it2"
he asked.
"Not blasted thing" replied Hen.
bricks. ut was mailed in New York.
did not expect that. At present l
have, the murderer's handwriting, and
that is all; but" His face darkened,
and he clinched his fist, and swore
J under his breath.