The Holly chieftain., 1898-04-22

awhile after he went Into the room
where he keeps his Papen-"
What did he do there? Try-try 10
think Of everything" urgtd the detec-
tive, his eyes glittering as Ae fixed them
ON the Young mnn's face
"He stood at the window." went on
WILDLY, "and read the ktter again.
From where WINS in the hall could see
the paper quivering in his hands. He
remained there for long time, as II
in deep thought, and then threw the
envelope into a waste-paper basket,
took down a file. and put the letter care
fully away"
.Ah, / see. Good, SO far!" exclaimed
Hendricks. '.Do you think you would
know that letter again?"
II don't know; perhaps so. 1t WAS in
lnrge, square, blush envelope. and
the sheet was Of the same color, and OF
letter-paper size" :.
Il am glad you remember those de-
tails" said Hendricks. Now let's In
spect that file. May we not 70 in the
room where Mr.. Strong kept his pm
pers?"
Certainly" ;" said WILDLY. "The coast
is clear. Matthews Is staying down
stairs. am answering the doorbelI."
AT this young lady's suggestion
said the detective, with a laugh. as they
we're crossing the hall.
sPray how did you guess that, I'd like
to know?" Miss Delmar asked.
"You were afraid your father would
call here, and IL Mr.. WILDLY answered
the bell you would have time to hide.
Is not that true?"
Perfectly" replied the girl, with
laugh. I'm glad he isn't famous de-
tective. He would have found me out
long ago"
When they entered the littleroom and
approached the desk. which was near u
great iron safe by window. WILDLY
started to draw the letter-file from a
pile of books and papers on shelf over
head, but the detective called out:
Hold on! Don't touch It'll" and he
brought chair and placed it under the
shelf Then he went to the window.
raised the shade as high as it would go.
and let in the sunlight; after which he
stepped upon the chair, and, with a
hand on each end Of the shelf, looked
carefully at the books and papers on
! which the file rested.
"Ah, blast his ugly picture!" he ejacu-
lated. Hes nobody's fool!"
Whats the matter?" asked WILDLY.
I'VE shan't find the letter, after ALL"
Hendricks lifted the file and stepped
down to the floor.
"Why, you haven't looked" protested
Miss Delmar.
''Yes, l have" said the detective. in n
disappointed tone. "Those books and
papers up there are thickly covered
with dust, but the file is comparatively
free from it."
"Ahl" said Miss Delmar. "some one
has been handling it."
Exactly; and quite recently" Hen
bricks opened the box-like file and be-
gan to turn over the papers fastened in
by sharppointed steel prongs. "Ah!
see they are arranged according to
date of arrival. You think. Mr.. WILDLY.
that the letter you remember noticing
came about month ago. Well, we must
turn to about the Goth of June. An!
hero is the spot; and, by Jove! our
friend was in a hurry--not so very eau
tious, after ALL"
What is 1t ?'' asked WILDLY.
.He has torn letter out at this place.
And IL was blue one, too, for he has
left tiny fragment ofito the prongs." /"
Hendricks held a minute piece OF paper
towards WILDLY. "Does that look like
the paper on which that particular let
ter was written?"
II think So"
Hendricks nodded, and put the torn
piece into the back part of his watch
case. Then. taking the letter-file to the
window, he laid it on the end Of the
desk, and, keeping it open at the place
where the letter had been distracted, he
examined 1t closely.
Miss Delmar drew nearer her lover.
II do hope he will find the criminal.
II would make me happier than any
thing in the world,- she whispered.
II don't think there is much hope
replied WILDLY. in a low tone, as he
stealthily pressed her hand. his eyes on
the broad back Of the detective.
II think there is great DEAL" said
the girl. "Oh. should simply 'e de.
lighted to be able to show papa t.iat you
are innocent, after all! He would never
object then, you know, for you would
be your uncle's legal heir, and worth
more money than ! could ever expect
from papa. If only"
by Joye!" Hendricks startled ex-
clamation drew their eyes to him. He
was holding the file close TO his face
and examining letter with his lens.
what is it?' asked WILDLY.
"B-l-o-o-d!" said Hendricks, pinyfully
in deep, gurgling tone. "The fellow
extracted that letter within two min
utes after he cut Strong's throat.
"How do you know" asked Miss Del
mar.
II find traces of blood on each of the
two letters between which the missing
one lay. So far, SO good! Now, there is
fails shall be at sea; so, Mr.. WILDLY
keep your wits about you. The letter
taken from this file must have been OF
such nature that it would associate
the writer Of 1t with the crime. That
means a good deal. II is quite likely
that the murderer witnessed your un-
cle's reception Of the letter and saw him
file 1t away; otherwise he could not
have gone TO it SO readily. Now. what
we have to do is to find the envelope you
say your uncle threw into the waste
paper basket"
Impossible" said WILDLY.