The Irish standard., 1898-07-02

which. In several directions, ran spa
cious corridors, the walls Of which were
adorned with costly paintings and
sculpture. Through an open door they
bad Q glimpse Of the white and gold
ballroom. The music Of Hungarian
orchestra swelled out from a balcony
overhead, and throngs of men and wom-
en- passed to and fro through the cor
ridors. Hendricks sank into d big
chair near the doorway leading into the
Turkish smoking room, and by down.
ward motion of his hand signihed his
desire for Lamplsin to sit beside him.
"You say you know Caruthers?" he
asked.
every slightly"
"See if you recognize him in the ball
room.'
Lumpkin studied the throng for sew
eral minutes, then he went nearer, and
standing behind crowd of men and
bunch of palms he studiously surveyed
the ballroom. He went back to the
detective.
"see anything OF him?" questioned
Hendricks, taking his fixed gaze from
the rug at his feet.
"No."
"Thcn we must ask for him at the
desk"
They approached one Of the active
clerks behind the counter Hendricks
drew out visiting card and fingered
it, his name downward.
I'D like to see Mr.. Weldon Caruth-
ers," he said.
The clerk glanced at the kcy-rack
behind him and shook his head.
"'Ie hasn't returned yet" he an
swered. HE is still out of town."
"Where is he?" asked Hendricks.
II cannot tell you, sir" and the clerk
turned to answer question put by
man in evening dress on his right.
81 am very anxious to see Mr..
Caruthers to night" resumed Hen
bricks. when he could get the clerks
attention again. ut is very impor-
tant matter"
The man in evening dress had over
heard; he paused, interested.
care you looking for Caruthers"
he asked.
II am" replied Hendricks.
"That's odd," smiled the man. "Ive
seen dozen people tonight asking
about him. We were just discussing
his queer conduct and wondering what
was the matter with him. lie has
broken several important engage
ments without a word of explanation.
His valet told my man this afternoon
that his master had been called by
night telegram to Philadelphia and had
written him that he would be detained
there for couple of weeks. presume
1t was some urgent business
The speaker lighted n cigar and
moved away to group of men in tho
smoking-room. Hendricks drew the
clerk aside.
~ am a detective,' lie said, in low
voice. "IIendricks is my name"
"Minard lIendriclss?' exclaimed the
clerk, in establishment, his tone and
manner suddenly apologetic. II had no
idea"
cit is most important that ] should
have look into Caruthers' apartment"
broke in the detective. Dent say Il
word to anyone, but get pass key, and
show my friend and myself up there
right away" sA1
The clerk nodded, furricd express
sion on his face. Getting key, lie
came from behind the counter and
started towards the elevator.
"Not that way" objected Hendricks,
OBTAINING him. Cant we go up the
rear stairs??"
Sure said the clerk. Its only one
flight" And he piloted them to the
stairs behind the cloakroon,. you'll
find the apartments just as Mr.. Caruth-
ers left them. His valet said that his
master had written him that the room
must not be disturbed by anyone"
Hendricks paused on the stair.
did Mr.. Caruthers not inform his
man that he was going away?" he
asked.
"No; you see Mr.. Caruthcrs' man is
married and lives on the west side.
He happened to have day Off and did
not know what had become of his mas
ter till he got the letter."
II see" remarked Hendricks, and he
started on again.
Reaching the door opening into
Caruthers' apartments, the clerk UNI
locked it and led them in. The first
chamber was private sitting-room,
the dainty pieces of French furniture,
draperies and rugs being in perfect
ORDER
1.-The gas is burning" observed Hen
bricks, looking up at the cut-glass
globes.
CAS- said, no one has been in the
rooms since Mr.. Caruthcrs went away"
mot even his valet?' asked the de-
tective.
ut looks SO, or surely he would have
eXtingnished the gas. 1t seems to be
burning in the next room too"
This chamber was large luxurious
bedroom, and rs they entered it Lamp
kin's imagination prepared itself for
horrible spectacle. To bis great re-
lief, however, everything here was also
in perfect order. The white lace COW
erlet lay us smoothly as newly fallen
snow, and the sheets and pillows looked
rs il they had never hcen used The
clerk now with a look of growing curl
osity, if not of incipient horror,
stopped down and looked under the
bed.
Nothing there" he said. Then his
attitude grew more serious, as he went
to the large closets one by one and
opened the doors. "here is the bath
~,