The Hope pioneer., 1898-12-01
SYNOPSIS

Minard Hendricks, great detective, Just
returned from Boston, finds awaiting him
an unsigned typewriter letter directing
MIN to apartments III Palace hotel, where
he viii find remains of Mr. Weldon Caruth-
ers-currently reported for past two weeks
to be out of town. Detective seems to con-
meet letter with attempt made on his own
NE some time previous. Goes with friend,
DIR. Lampkin, to investigate. Upon search
OF Caruthers' apartments remains of Gre
mated body and jeweled hand of victim
are found in vase. Hand bears marks of
finger nails manicured to sharp points.
Lampkin recalls reports of a row between
Caruthers and Arthur Gielow both suitors
for hand of Dorothy Huntington, who is
hetress to several millions should she marry
Caruthers, Internationally in case of Car
Cthers' death. Late that night Hendricks
and Lampkin call at home of Miss Hunting
ton. Dorothy shows detective typewriter
letter, which was an invitation for herself
and aunt to occupy with Count Bantinni,
Italian nobleman, his box at horse show,
as he was called out of town by pressing
business. She recalls Gielow had expressed
before murder intense hatred for Caruthers
and believes him guilty, yet decides to help
him, and with her aunt goes to his studio.
Gielow has fled. His servant, Henri, tells
OF overhearing confession to Bantinni.
Henri thought his master insane. Hen
ricks, concealed in room, hears all this.
Hendricks goes to consult kola, an East
Indian interested in occult researches who
had helped him in much previous detect
i've work. and located in an old colonial
mansion among the palisades. DR.. Lamp
kin is summoned by Hendricks, who has
been shot Bullet is removed and detect
i've warned not to leave his room. Hen
bricks unknown enemy had tried to chic
roform him in his sleep. Detective had
walked just in time, but was wounded by
pistol shot before he could prevent his as
sailant's escape. Hendricks call for a cre-
matory employe, who confirms the sup
position that ashes found were those of
human body. Miss Huntington receives
letter from Gielow in his own handwriting
postmarked at Charleston, S. c., telling OF
his crime and flight. Noted graphologist
examines handwriting of this letter and
says it is genuine. During a call on Sergt.
Denhanl, detective Of police department.
Hendricks comes into possession of cuff
with words written in blood over Gielow's
name to effect that he was innocent, starv-
ing and confined. Going to Gielow' IS studio,
Henri identifies cuff as his masters. Henri
tells of strange influence Bantinni had
over Gielow. Hendricks comes to conclu-
sion Bantinni was the murderer and
through hypnotism made Gielow confess
both in person to Henri and by letters to
others. Hendricks and Lampkin go to
Kola's retreat. kola tells them Gielow
is dead, and to lprove his supernatural
powers claims to go to detectives home in
his astral body and bring back Bible,
which is handed to Hendricks amidst a
lot of occult haberdash. Kola warns de-
tective an attempt is to be made on his life.
Reaching home, Hendricks iearns how
nearly Kola deceived him when his mother
tells of disappearance of Bible after one
of kola's calls during his absence in Bos-
ton. Coming now to Gielow's experiences.
the story goes back to night of murder,
Bantinni by his strange power abducted
his victim. Gielow wakes in narrow cell
and realizes he is starving. Bantinni tells
his prisoner he is in his power, and how
during three days Of Inconsistencies he
had been used to write letters to Miss Hunt
ington and the police. The imprisoned art
list manages to loosen stone in side of cell.
Through this opening he decides to send a
message to the outside world.