The Holly chieftain., 1898-04-29
From Clue to Climax.
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CHAPTER xIn.-CoSrINuED.

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| CHAPTER XIII.-CoxrINUED.
I'VE want to find certain blue en-
| velope, Matthew'S" the detective began
ut was thrown into this basket By Mr..
Strong about a month ago. Can you
help u? r.
| Il don't know, air. have been emp
tyin' everythin' Of that kind in the eel
lar. l keep all the papers in one hasrel
and all the rags in another. and q junk
shop man comes every now and then
| And gives you q little something for
keeping the stun for him" interrupted
Hendricks.
Yes. sir" the servant nodded.
Has he been here latelyf"
"Just day or SO before the murder,
cir. l remember
Could you take Mr.. WILDLY and my
self to his placer" said the detective.
I'VE might be 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.
1t is pretty tough place, sir, but we
can take the cars and get down quick
enough"
II sec am TO be of no further assis-
tance," jested 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
hp 20, ~ L. L..
too.
Hendricks and Matthews started out
at once WILDLY fingered in the draw
ing-room with Miss Delmar.
IF yon have the time. you might stay
here until we return" said WILDLY.
Il am sure we shan't be long"
"Tllwait an hour, anyway" the young
lady promised. II am dying to know
il 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
lot of lies, Usually they do all they can
to aid detective"
"Ah. see" answered WILDLY. .1
should have blundered there II l had
been alone"
The dealer, little Jew. with 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 a few words Hendricks explained
what they were searching for.
''Ah! and you want to catch him, ch :?
Well. I hope you can," said the Jew.
Il think l know the bags got from
dere. They are up in the loft. l will
throw them down. and you Gun look
through them here"
You are very good, said Hendricks;
that's exactly what we want"
The jew ran up ladder through a
hole in the ceiling. and In moment
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
a heap, and WILDLY bent over it.
mo doubt about tine stuff being from
our house, he said. Here is note ad-
dressed to me, and there are some old
bills of upcle's." But after five min
utes' search he declared he saw no en-
yelope 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.
Il think this must be II" he said.
You are right; IL matches the color
of the paper. They must have gone
together" replied the detective; and he
4 opened the case of his watch and held
the corner Of the envelope down to the
front of the tiny bit. 1--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 1t ~
he asked
Not blasted thing replied Hem
bricks. "Et was mailed in New York.
! did not expect that. At present
have the murderer's handwriting, and
that is all; but His face dnrkened.
and he clinched his fist, and swore
under his breath.
What is it?'' WILDLY questioned.
II don't know myself" said the de-
tective. II have seen something like
this before, but can't tell where. BY
Jove! It will drive me crazy II l don't
make it out. There is something about
this envelope that is familiar, but it
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. I 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
his room. His face still wore . look
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