Willmar tribune., 1898-11-30
CHAPTER IV.-CONTINUED.

The door opened just then and the
heiress entered, followed by her aunt.
Miss Huntington opened the letter
and handed it to the detective.
Even at distance of several feet, and in
the dim sensuous glow made by the
light striking through the ruby-colored
globes, the doctor saw Hendricks eyes
flash as they fixed themselves on the
sheet of paper, and noted the eager
flush of his face which betokened dis
covered clew. The letter ran as follows:
MY Dear Miss Huntington: How can I
over hope to get your forgiveness for run
ming away from New York so suddenly
without acquainting you with my plans?
However. this will reach you in time to
1nclose the tickets for the Horse Show.
am sure Count Bantinni will see to your
pleasure and comfort. I am here since
three days, and have every day-nay, every
hour-been occupied with pressing busi-
ness. Hoping soon to see you again and
rendering my best regards to Mrs Win
fret. believe me, Yours sincerely,
WELDON CARUTHERS.'
Silence filled the room as Hendricks
read and reread the letter, his eyes
dwelling on the lower part Of the page,
Lampkin thought, with eager dxity.
"Does Mr.. Caruthers speak French
huently?" was the first question he di-
rected to Miss Huntington.
''He does not speak it at ALL" replied
that young lady.
'Or German?"
THAT language neither
HAS he command of any other
tongue except English?''
mo, I am positive that he has not, :"
answered Miss Huntington, authorita-
lively.
'"Then he did not write this said
Hendricks, in certain tone of satisfac-
tion peculiar to man who has found
himself correct in conclusion derived
from slight evidence.
''S'1rely you must be mistaken" be-
gan che young lady, but the detective
leaned forward, pointing to line on
the paper.
'The person who wrote or dictated
this communication is accustomed to
s<speaking foreign languages. The let
ter, as a whole, is correct English, but
at one point the writer made slip.
See, he says: I am here since three
days. Now that is one of the idioms
which are discarded last by foreigners
in their efforts to acquire our language.
You know we say: 4 have been here,
ETC."
"You certainly are most obse, vant,"
granted Miss Huntington, with an in
credulous smile, ''but happen to know
that Mr.. Caruthers often dictated his
correspondence to stenographers at
hotels during his travels, and on this
occasion he may have employed a type
writer whose one weak point may be
the very idiom you mention.'
II thought of that before spoke, {"
<Uaid the detective. "But typewriters
in this country usually are English
speaking men and women. Moreover,
see by the inequality of the strokes
that this was done by hand new at
the business
Miss Huntington's face fell, and then
q nervous, worried expression came
into it.
Tell me frankly" she said, what all
this is about
Hendricks drew himself up.
II WONDER" he said, IF you would OBJ
ject to speaking to my friend and my
self alone. It is little matter that
perhaps Mrs. Winfret may not be ex-
actly interested in"
The heiress threw a perplexed glance
at Mrs. ,Winfret, and for moment
seemed not to be able to formulate a
reply. Her aunt's intuition, however,
shad been sharpened by the nervous
strain upon her. :. -. g.:
Something has gone wrong with Mr..
Earuthers." !" she burst, forth. You