Arizona republican., 1898-02-07
From Clue to Climax.
(Continued From Yesterday)
By Will N. Harben.

had one," he said. "On the contrary, uncle seemed to make friends with everyone"
 ''You don't know much about MT. Strong's early life which he spent in the mines out west, I believer"
 No, I don't. He did not speak of it sften."
 ''It is possible, you know, for him to have an enemy even that far back. Matthews, with whom I have talked, remembers your uncle's having strange visitor here a year or so ago. while you were at the seashore. It seems that Mr. Strong had sort of quarrel with him. and. for some reason of his own, he requested Matthews not to mention the visitor to you. Now, we must find that fellow if we can." But how are you going to do it?' asked Miss Delmar
 That's what I'm here for,'' replied Hendricks. And you are both going to help me. Now, that visitor came here and threatened Mir. Strong about some thing, so Matthews says. and one who will threaten q man to his face is apt N to do so in other ways. NIT. Whidby, do you remember ever having seen your uncle receive any letter which seemed to disturb him at al! ?''
 Whidby reflected a moment, then he looked up with a start.
 "Yes; I had not thought of it before, but my uncle has once or twice acted peculiarly after receiving letters. About a month ago he opened letter at the breakfast table and seemed almost to turn sick over it. He was white and trembled all over. I asked him what was the matter, but he said he felt suddenly faint, and that was all he would tell me. l was concerned about him, and wanted to send for doctor, but he refused to let me, and declared Ec was all right. He seemed so un- strung that 1 felt uneasy. I really feared his mind was affected, so I watched him through the curtains for awhile after he went into the room where he keeps his papers,
 What did he do there? Try-try to think of everything" urged the detec- tive, his eyes glittering as he fixed them on the young mans face.
 lie stood at tke window" went on Whdby. and read the letter again. From where I was in the hall could see the paper quivering in his hands. He Temainod there for a long time, as if s,eeP thought, and then threw the envelope into a waste-paper basket, took down a file, and put the letter care fully away"
 -Ah. I see. Good, so far!" exclaimed Hendricks. Do you think you would Know that letter again?''
 don't know; perhaps so. It was in s0arge, square, bluish envelope, and thc-sheet was of the same color, and of Ietter-paper size.
 T ap glad you remember those de- taiIs,' said Hendricks. Now let's ip- spect that file. May we not go in t,.e room where MT. Strong kept his pa- pers?'
 Certainly" said Whidiy. "The coast Is clear Matthews is staying down- stairs am answering t::e doorbcil.'' ''At this young lady's suggcsticn,' said the detective, with laugh, as th ! were crossing the :3a.l.
 "Pray how did you guess that, I'd like 10 know ?" Miss Dc.nlar asked.
 You were afraid your father would call here, and if Mr. Whidby answered the bell you would have time to hide. Is not that true?"
 Perfectly" replied the girl with a laugh. I'm glad he isn't famous de- tective. He would have found me out long ago.
 When they entered the little room and approached the desk, which was near a great iron safe by window, Whidby started to draw the lettcr-file from a pile of books and papers CT a shelf over head. but the detective called out: Hold on! Don't touch it!" and he brought chair and placed 1t under the shelf. Then he went l. the window, raised the shade as high as it would go. and let in tke sunlight, after which he stepped upon the chair, and, with a hand on each end of the shelf, looke,i carefully at the locks and papers on which the file rested.
 ''Ah, blast his ugly picture" he ejacu- lated. Hes nobody's fooi,"
 Whats the matter?" asked Whidby. We shan't find the letter, after ali Hendricks lifted the file and stepped down to the floor.
 Why, you haven't looked" protested Mss DSimar.
 ''Yes. I have" said the detective, in a disappointed tone. "Tnose books and papers up there are thiclzly covered with dust, but the file is comparatively ' free from it.''
 'Ah," said Miss Delmar "Some one has been handling it."
 Exactly; and quite recently" Hen dricks opened the boX-like file and be- gan to turn over the papers fastened in by disappointed steel prongs. 'Ah! see they are arranged according to date of arrival. You think. Mr Whidby, that the letter you remember noticing came about month ago. Well, we must turn to about the goth of June. An. here is the spot; and, by love! our friend was in a hurry-not so very cau-