The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-02-12

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train had just arrived. Suddenly his
face flushed in anger as he recognized
among the number his fellow detec-
tive Jackson. In sort of frenzy he
rushed at him and grasped him tightly
by both arms.
"What are you doing here?" he de-
manded.
81 came at the request"
$50 back at once. I am going.
There is nothing in it. Foster re-
quested that the letter be returned to
him Immediately. That is the ex-
PLANTATION Of the envelope. I have
seen Dryden and investigated every
thing. The man had nothing to do
with the murder. Are you going?"
eyes, but
'Then go!' screamed Adams, be-
side himself with impatient rage. 81
will join you at the station. A train
will be due shortly. Stay there, Or
I'll strangle you."
Jackson looked OF him in amaze
ment, hesitated moment, and then
turned and walked back to the station.
Adams watched him until he saw him
enter the building, when he wheeled
around and strobe rapidly to the
hotel. He would see her again-per-
haps speak to her.
He entered the room which served
the double purpose of an Office and a
sittingroom. There was no one there.
He walked to the desk and the little
dog-eared hotel register caught his
eye. With an exclamation of impa-
tience at not having thought Of it be-
fore, he was at once engrossed in the
register. Page after page he went
back over tho names with his finger
until suddenly he stopped as if
checked by an electric shock. The
little clock on the wall above him
licked off five minutes, but still he
stood there, his eyes glued to the page
and his finger at name. The door OF
another room opened and he heard the
voices OF the landlord and Jackson.
In an instant he had torn the leaf from
the register and crushed in into his
pocket.
Jackson entered the Office and started
back when he saw Adams. Butin the lat
ter's eyes there was no longer any anger.
Instead he regarded the other detec
tive calmly, but steadfastly. Jackson
felt reassured.
adams, old man," he began. "what
is the matter with you? I'm not here
on your assignment; I'm here on an
other matter altogether. Show me
up, landlord"
The two left the room and assembled
the stairs, Adams waited awhile and
then followed them. At the first land
ing he found himself in front of the
hotel parlor, the door of which stood
ajar. It was impossible not to have
seen within, and he saw there the
woman to whom his heart had gone
out conversing with Jackson.
Within onehour he was in his apart
ments in the city. He got out the
broken seal and the torn piece Of coat
lining and placed them upon a table.
Then no sent for his physician.
The doctor found him in state Of
excitement, bordering on fever. But
he was surprised to learn that he had
not been sent to prescribe for his
patient.
Doctor" said Adams, endeavoring
to control himself, "when you treated
me for my wound at the hospital, was
there any scar left after it had
healed?"
'Why, how did you learn it?' the
doctor broke out involuntarily. ut
is impossible for you to see it yourself
without artificial means"
II understand that. Was there
anything peculiar about the SCARF"
''The1e was, Mr.. Adams; although
I have never mentioned it before. The
scar is in the shape of Maltese cross.
But you must not think of it"
The doctor never knew how it hap
pened exactly, but he had hardly dis
closed his secret when he found him
self ushered out of the house and dis
missed.
Adams went back to his room trem-
bling, his forehead damp with perspir-
alton.
"God!' he exclaimed, "what made
me think of it! What made me ex-
anime it,"
Then he snatched up the detached
broken arm Of the seal and brought it
down heavily upon o pad Of paper.
The impression formed was Maltese
cross.
"Here! Here is where it is" cried
the distracted man, as his hand
clutched the back of his head. He
staggered back as if to fall in a faint
when his distended eyes rested
for second on the piece Of lining.
A newly born unnatural energy seized
him. With the piece of lining in his