Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-11-09

opened the paper, signaling 10 the boy
to leave the room, and began to turn
the leaves with fingers which seemed
too clumsy for use.
Hang it, find it for mel" he said, alb
ruptly.
Lampkin opened the paper at the
place devoted to society news, and put
his finger on a paragraph.
'There you are" he said. 'There's
your man who has been dead week.
Now what are you frowning about?
One would think Caruthers was a rival
of yours that you want put out of the
way"
Hendricks drew deep breath, and
handed the letter which had so dis
turbed him to his friend.
"Read it," he said.
What the doctor saw was sheet of
crisp blue linen paper, and on it the
following typewriter words:
"Minard Hendricks, Detective, New York
City:
"Astute Sir:
IF you will take the trouble to go to the
Palace Hotel tonight after you receive this,
and will inquire for Mr.. Weldon Caruthers,
you Will ne lOlu that he Is out OIL Town, out
If you will insist on going to his apartments
on the second floor, you will find there his
remains He has been murdered and the job
has been done so we'll that the chief actor
in the game has not the slightest fear of de-
lection, and takes this humble opportunity
Of pitting his wits against yours. now so
celebrated. You are great detective, Hen
bricks, and they say you have never failed.
But this, my dear sir, shall be your Water
loo"
Lampkin laid the letter down and
elbow.
1T is plainly an idle joke" he said.
81 am astonished at your being dis
turbed over it,"
do I look disturbed?" asked Hen
bricks, absent-mindedly and turning to
large lounge he threw himself on it.
II am absolutely worn out for one
thing, and then
He paused. It was plain to the doc
tor that the detectives mental excite
ment had crippled his faculty for put
ting words together.
"Look here" said Lampkin, drawing
chair near his friend and sitting
down. II say, what's the matter with
you, anyway"
Hendricks laughed.
II may as we'll tell you the whole
truth and unburthen myself" he be-
gan. ''The fact is, doctor, have never
in all my experience had but one thing
to really trouble me, and this letter,
somehow, seems to be connected with
that particular thing. have never men,
toned it to a single soul, except my
mother, but she never talks of my af-
fairs, although really believe that hap
pening has added ten years to her age.
TO make long story short, about three
months ago after Kola-that East In
dian friend of mine.-and l had been
hard at work all day in my library
over some papers connected with the
Hilburn murder case, sent him off
and joined my mother at dinner. l
always sat at the head of the table in
a high-backed chair upholstered in soft
leather something like the material on
this lounge. That night when 1 sat
down l heard in the deep seat of the
chair fixing sound, like a rocket get
ting ready to mount, and smelt the odor
of burning powder. With what little
presence of mind the good Lord has
given me, sprang up and kicked the
chair from me half across the room.
It lay there and spluttered for second
and then the little cloud Of smoke dis
appeared from it.
My mother almost tainted, and
l had to look after her. but 1
returned to the chair in a few
moments and carefully carried it
out into the coal house. Lampkin, it
contained the biggest, most deadly
bomb you ever saw. It was a round,
polished brass ball about three inches
in diameter, of a make I have never
seen before. My quick action and the
warning the burning fuse gave me
saved my life. I carefully drew out the
upholsterer's brass-headed tacks, and
saw the contrivance to fire the fuse-a
spring affair to strike match when
sat down. Doctor, that thing sends
cold shudder up my spine every time
I think of it, and think of it too often
for my peace of mind, tell you.''
II should think it would worry you,"
said the doctor. 1T certainly was a
narrow escape"
lit showed that had an enemy"
was the detectives reply. "And this
anonymous communication after three
months of silence on his part shows
he is still alive and-inventive."
"Ah, I see. You think that letter
was trick to lure you into trap by
some one.''
ut has that appearance. The letter
was delayed by my absence from town.
AS I was expecting every hour to get
back l did not have my mail for
warded."'' ....s. ::..
."And your absence perhaps saved
your life again." added Lampkn. Z
Hendricks nodded, and gave a grim
smile y.,..... IL. i. e. >.>; " ~ w.
'eThat letter was not written by a
fool, doctor, but must not think of it.
I must get to work. Keep your seat.
III be through soon.'' ). .s: & Is Il: s=.=
Hendricks, as he spoke, rose and went
to his desk again. Lampin smiled in
admiration when he saw his friends