The Irish standard., 1898-07-02

ComluS uuHlllty. he maze no reply
and hung back till the detective had
opened the door leading to the bath
room. Here the gas was burning also,
and the small chamber, with its pol
ished tiled floor and glistening porce-
lain walls, revealed no hint of blood
shed.
The face of the clerk fell; his appetite
occasion.
What time did Mr.. Caruthers leave
the hotel the night he left?" Hendricks
asked him.
Il really don't know, SIR" said the
clerk. II am pretty sure he did not
mention it at the Office, and that is Gus
topary among our guests. That is why
underhand-"
"Leave your pass key with me-" In
terrupted the detective, coldly. "My
friend and want to have little pri-
vate talk. When you go down, don't
mention our being here"
The clerk reluctantly laid the key on
table.
"Tll not give it away, SIR" He moved
slowly towards the door. IF you want
anything, ring. I'll be on the lookout,
and will run up myself"
Good" said Hendricks. you are very
kind"
The detective followed him to the
outer door and closed it after him.
Then he came back into the bedroom.
II hope this is only hoax, after ALL"
observed the doctor. "What are you
going to do next?"
Hendricks shrugged his broad shout
dcrs; it amounted to shudder.
I'VE are going to look through those
trunks-for trunk and the rest"
us it really so bad as that?"
MY blasted premonition-whlch fac
ulty i'll my makeup has always been
mystery to me-has hold of me with
Its four claws" said Hendricks. II
can't explain it, doctor, but the min
ute entered that door and saw the
gas burning SO brightly felt murder
in the air. Sometimes on day like
this-at crisis like this-I imagine
that the spirit Of the murdered man lin
gers round the spot where he lost his
life to try to give me clew."
Lampkin shuddered MS the detective
laid hold of the nearest steamer-trunl
and began to unstrapit. 1t was empty
save for some clothing in the bottom,
The next trunk was a large square one,
and its lock for several minutes resisted
the efforts of the detective to unfasten
it. Finally, however, aided by key Of
his own, and no little experience in
such matters, Hendricks released the
brass hasp and it fell down with a
sharp click.
This trunk, also, contained nothing
of suspicious nature, and the same re-
suits were produced by careful en-
animation of two other trunks stored
in the bathroom and u dress-suit case
of heavy leather which was found in one
of the closets.
"Ah, 1 certainly feel BETTER" cried
Lanpkin, triumphant ring in his
voice.
Il DON'T calculated Hendricks, with
one of his massive frowns, which al
ways made his great brow resemble
miniature iutting crag.
"And why?"
fecause my anonymous correspond
ent says | shall find the remains of
Weldon Caruthcrs in these apartments,
and believe on my soul he meant what
he said"
"But that man downstairs said Ca
ruthcrs' valet has received commune
cation from his master in philudcl-
phia."
"1'll bet my life it was forged"
Lampkin started, and then he gazcd
into the detectives eyes steadily.
u can't follow you, and won't try.
Your mind darts out after things 1
never would dream of. Do you think
you may find n trace of the missing man
hcrc?"
"If my thinker would operate smooth
w." This with forced grin. "My
trip to Boston has tagged me out. I
am not normal. But it will not surprise
me to find out that the same man wrote
to the valet that wrote to me-"
eff SO you have deep villain to deal
with"
Gas deep us the crucible of hell can
turn out"
The detective sat down in chair near
tho bed and, taking from his pocket
the anonymous letter, he studied it in
silence. After n minute he said, re-
Acctively:
You will observe he does not say
shall find the body OF Caruthcrs here,
but the remains, and Inc has under
scored the word heavily. Further
more, he boasts of the skill with which
the crime has been accomplished; that,
old man, means something"
But it seems to me that you have
looked into every possible nook and
granny said the DOCTOR
AS if under a sudden inspiration
hendricks sprang up, and going to the
bed he pushed aside the silkcn curtains
OF the canopy, turned down The sheets
and doubled up the mattress. Then he
drew himself up and began to examine
the bric-a-brac about the room. lie
thumpcd with his lsnuckles marble
statue Of Venus de Milo in corner and
then stood still in the center Of the
room and stared at the articles of orna-
mcnt on the mantcl-picce. lie walked
slowly backward to the doctor and laid
Il hand on his shoulder, and pointed to
large covered japanese vase, shaped
like an ancient urn.
Doctor" he said, 1.-The man who Sc
lcctcd all the bric-a-brnc in this room