The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-04-28
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. RARBtN.
copyright 1906. by J. B LippIneot Col
CHAPTER KIN coxr,,,.,.n

NHAPlEK NIll.--CoNTINUFp
We want TO find certain blue en-
selope, Matthew'S" the detective began.
1T was thrown into this basket by Mr.
strong about a month ago Can you
help us"
Il don't know, sir. have been emp
tyin' everythin' of that kind in the cell
lar | keep all the papers in one barrel
ana all the rags in another. and Junk
shop man comes every now and then"
And gives you little something for
Keeping the stuff for him." interrupted
Hendricks.
Yes. sir" the servant nodded.
HAS he been here lately?"
Just day or so before the murder,
sir ! remember"
Could you take Mr.. WILDLY and nv
self TO his place?" said the detective.
we might he in time TO keep our bit of
evidence from being made up into new
paper"
"Yes. sir, without any trouble. His
shop is on First street. under the bridge.
II is pretty tough place, sir, but we
can take the cars and get down quiek
enough"
II see | am to be of no further assis-
tance.' jestcd Miss Delmar.
II didn't quite think you would care
TO soil your skirts in ragman's shop"
replied the detective. but as soon as
we get clew, Mr.. WILDLY may bring
the news to you. We'd better be goipg.
too
Hendricks and Matthews started out
at once. WILDLY fingered in the draw
ing-room with Miss Delmar.
IF you have the time, you might STAY
here until we return" said WILDLY.
Il am sure we shan't be long"
I'll wait an hour, anyway" the young
lady promised. II am dying to know
II you accomplish anything. But run
on; they are waiting for you, and here
comes the car"
In ten minutes the three men had
reached the bridge spanning the murky
river and were entering the shop indi-
Gated by Matthews.
I'VE must tell him exactly what we
want" Hendricks whispered to WILDLY
at the door. He hasn't very honest
| face, and if he thinks we have lost some
thing OF intrinsic value he may tell us a
lot of lies. Usually they do all they can
to aid detective"
"Ah, | see" answered WILDLY. 81
should have blundered there if / had
| been alone
The dealer, little jew, with a very
crafty face, came from behind coun-
ter piled up high with sacks of rags and
paper.
What can do for you, gentlemen ?"
he asked.
In few words Hendricks explained
what they were searching for.
"Ah! and you want to catch him, eh
Well, hope you can" said the Jew.
81 think / know the bags ! got from
dere. They are up in the loft. | will
throw them down, and you can look
through them here"
"You are very good" said Hendricks;
that's exactly what we want"
The jew ran up ladder through
three sacks filed with old paper tum-
bled down at their feet.
Hendricks pointed to a clean place on
the floor, and said TO Matthews: "Shake
them out"
Matthews emptied one of the bags in
heap, and WILDLY bent over il.
mo doubt about the stuff being from
our house" he said. Here is a note adj
dressed TO me, and there are some old
bills of uncle's." But after five min
utes' search he declared he saw no en-
velope which looked like the one he had
in mind. The second bag was searched
without success, but the third had hard
ly been opened before WILDLY picked
up large, square envelope.
II think this must be it," he said.
you are right; it matches the color
of the paper. They must have gone
together" replied the detectives and he
opened the case of his watch and held
the corner of the envelope down to the
front of the tiny bit. ''We are all right
so far" Hendricks walked to the front
of the shop alone, studying, with a
wrinkled brow, the envelope. WILDLY
paid the jew for his trouble, and then
joined him.
Can you make anything out of it?
he asked.
mot a blasted thing" replied Hen
bricks. "It was mailed in New York.
| did not expect that. At present
have the murderer's handwriting, and
that is all; but" His face darkened,
and he clinched his fist, and swore
under his breath.
What is it?' WILDLY questioned.
II don't know myself" said the de-
tective. 81 have seen something like
this before, but / can't tell where. BY
Jovel it will drive me crazy If | don't
make it out. There is something about
this envelope that is familiar, but il
eludes me like the memory of night
mare But I'll get it after awhile.
Leave me, you and your man. I'll walk
back alone. want TO tussle with the
thing. | shall see you as soon as come
to any conclusion"
CHAPTER XIV.
Half an hour afterwards the detec-
tive arrived at his hotel, and went up TO
n