The Hope pioneer., 1898-12-01
"Well inst let if he known M head

ciated with me in the case, and together
we will get what we can out of it.
am no fool, and I know that for
young detective to join me will be no
discredit to him, especially if we Win"
ct will be the making of me,' said
Denham, beaming an over. But can't
see what can be done"
II can," answered Hendricks, with
glance asl1ance at Lampkin. Sergeant;
l have been hard at work on this case
since the night the affair was discov-
cred"
"You have!"
"Yes. and never got any substantial
clew till you gave it tome. That's why
am willing to help you now"
II gave it to you?" said Denham, his
brow contracted.
"The cuff with the bloody message on
it," exclaimed Hendricks. "It was writ
ten by Gielow, and he is now starving,
if he is not dead, somewhere in confine-
ment. He is in the power of certain
Count Bantinni-you read it Bantam
who was rival of his for the hand of
Miss Huntington"
Denham's sastonishment was too great
10 admit of expression.
Hendricks passed copy of the Her.
aid over to him. you see," he said, in
dicating with his finger place among
the personals. II am trying to find the
man whom you sent away without talk
ing down his address. If we knew where
he picked up that cuff we would be on
the road to success"
Denham crossed his legs and folded
his arms awkwardly. Apparently he
had struggle with his pride.
"4As far as that is concerned" he said,
sheepishly, Il can help you on that
point. I remember now that my as
sistant, who talked with the fellow,
told me that he said he had picked up
the cuff on the new road which has
been cut by an Old colonial house above
Fort Lee, On the Palisades. l could have
told you then, but l was an ass. Twas
so full of my own Importance that
simply lied to YOU"
Hendricks raised his open hand in
the air, all the fingers apart. He was
gazing into Lampllin's astonshed eyes.
"Five!" he exclaimed. "kola and
Count Buntinni are one and the same.
Gielow is confined somewhere about the
old, house."
The sergeant was more than mysti-
fed.
Hendricks sprang up.
Explain it all to him, DOCTOR" he
said, pointing to the officer. II must
formulate a plan of immediate action
He stood at the window, his hands
| locked behind him, while Lampllin was
explaining the matter to Denham, and
just after the doctor had finished, he
whirled into the adjoining room, rout-
ing the astonished office boy from a
seat near the telephone.
1--WE must prepare Kola for our COM
ing" he said to Denham. If he sees
our turnout approaching he may give
us the slip. think can fix him by call
| ing him up moment"
| Good idca," remarked the sergeant
and he and the doctor drew near the
telephone.
| Hendricks rang and in a steady, un-
| concerned tone asked for the desired
connection. For Il moment he stood
perfectly still, holding the receiver tc
his ear, then he laughed.
Hello, Kola! know your voice.
say, my boy, you played me fine last
night. never closed my eyes once
Oh, you needn't laugh. There's no fur
in that sort Of thing.
"What? Yes, he's upset too. lie was
in my Office as soon as l was, anxious
to talk it over. He lost sleep, too,
think. But, 1 say, Kola, am in 6
dilemma about his murder case.
want your advice. When l tell you wha,
l half way suspect think you may ad
wise me to go ahead. If you have nc
objections I'll come out with Lamp
kin and give you my views and then i:
you still hold that ougn. to drop the
matter l will do it.
"What's that? A little louder, please ?
ooh, yes, a thorough convert at last
I shall never make sport of your phil
osophy again. Then we may come out
at once?"
And then. although the doctor was
within reach of his hand, Hendricks
raised his voice as if speaking to some
one in the next room.
"All right, doctor, he says we may
come. I'll send down for cab
Imposing silence with gesture of
| the hand, the detective led them into
the other room and closed the door.
'He's completely off his guard, and
tickled TO death over my credulity
He'll be the worst surprised individual
that ever looked down the barrel of a
siX-shooter. Now, to business. Well
all three take the elevated to One Hun
dred and Twenty-ffth street. I'll tcle-
| phone for u carriage to meet us there
Doctor, make out an order for some
restoratives. In case Gielow is alive we
will need them.'
DR.. Lamplsin penciled prescription
and sent the office boy to the nearest
drug store.
Il hope" he remarked to Hendricks,
"that you are sure of your ground in be-
| lieving that Kola and Bantinni are iden-
| tical.''
"Oh, that's all right" grunted Hen
bricks. "You see, the count didn't
cause Gielow to disappear the very
night l got back without reason. He
must have been keeping a close watch
on my movements and knew when re-
turned. My mother tells me that Kola
called to ask about me every afternoon