Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-27
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
AS the doors opened in response to
their ring, the visitors saw four foot
men in livery ranged against the wall,
like guards before the Vatican. Hem
bricks, with an air that showed his
unfamiliarity with just such field of
operation. gave his hat to the nearest
man and, keeping on his overcoat,
he walked straight into the drawing
room. Lampkin was more deliberate.
He took off his overcoat. gave it and his
silk hat to lackey and came in and
sat down quite as If he were expect
ing to be summoned to the boudoir of
wealthy patient.
Miss Huntington was few steps in
advance of Mrs. Winfret, as the two
ladies entered through the folding
doors from the rear.
my aunt feels sorry of her hesita-
ton just now, Mr.. Hendricks" she be-
gan, with genial smile; "but she is
30 much given to reading all the SEN
sational news lately that she is con-
stantly expecting some awful calamity
TO befall US. She is worried now with
the fear that you may bring bad news.
Her brother Alfred sailed two weeks
ago for Africa, and we have only heard
from him once"
ut is not concerning him that we de-
sired to speak," said the detective, in
Producing Lamplsin with commendable
ease. II won't keep you long. have
been informed that you are friends of
Mr.. Weldon Caruthers, and it is about
him that l wanted to confer with you.
To come to the point at once, I have
reasons for being disturbed about his
rather peculiar absence"
"But he is in philadelphia" exclaimed
Miss Huntington, in tone which re-
vealed no little relief over his explana-
ton. She seemed to think the detec-
tive was laboring under some mistake
which she could easily rectify.
May ask how you know that?"
asked Hendricks, automatically.
Miss Huntington hesitated, and then,
receiving the sanction of her aunt's
glance, said:
II had letter from him only few
days ago. He had invited Count Ban
tinni, an Italian nobleman, my aunt and
myself to use his box at the Horse Show
last night, and had taken the tickets
away by mistake. Oh! I am sure he
is all right, although his leaving was
quite unexpected. feel confident he
will explain everything when he re.
turns"
Are you quite sure that letter was
from him?" was the next question OF
the detective.
The young lady started and stared at
Hendricks as if debating whether he
could be in his right mind.
II have never dreamt of it's not being
from him." she said, firmly. II am
sure I've no reason at all for doubt
ing it,"
Mrs. Winfret leaned forward, her an.
gular form stiffening as if under som.
petrifying process due to the action OF
startled state of mind.
Il am not sure of it, now / come tc
think over the matter" she remarked
giving each word separate and dis
tinct drop. you remember, Dorothy
you said you could not forgive him fol
debating the letter to typewriter and
not even signing it."
The young lady flushed at the per-
sonality, but she finally admitted that
she had not exactly appreciated the
manner in which the letter had been
written, while she still held firm to the
belief that it was genuine.
Nothing could be easier than tic
forge typewriter communication"
suggested Hendricks, paving his way
to more startling disclosures. "Havs
you the letter."
st is upstairs" said Dorothy, hei
tone betraying growing perturbation.
despite her effort at ca!mness. Come
with me, aunt; we will return in mo
ment."
When they had quilted the drawing
room, Hendricks resumed his seat, and
looked steadily at the doctor.
II think I'll let it out" he said. "Shs
can bear it. A blind man can see she
isn't in love with the murdered man,
1t is the other patch in the red crazy.
quilt that will turn her cheeks white
and darken those great eyes,"
ooh, you refer to Gielowl" cried the
doctor.
Hendricks shrugged his shoulders.
at will doubtless strike her, as it
will the police, in fact, as it will the
public at large-that he is the one man
n eNistencewho would be likely to want
C, sruthers to send in his checks, as it
we. re, especially as they had row just
prio to the committal of the deed"
"It certainly does look shaky for
Gielo,v," admitted Lampkin.
MY one hope" said Hendricks, sis
that Gielow does not needle-point his
finger-na,ils. Few artists have time for
such feminine rubbish"
But Gielow is not a regular b.
helnian," rejoined Lampkin. HE is
most particular about his dress and is
thoroughly conventional - % strict
churcH-maE aid that sort of thing.
His studio is said to be marvelously
attractive place where, during the sea-
son, he holds afternoon teas and
musicales. 1t wouldn't surprise me a
bit to hear that he manicured his nails"
Tho door opened just then and the
heirsaa anasAsa, followed by her aunt