The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1899-02-15

4
to leave the room, and began to turn
the leaves with fingers which seemed
too clumsy for use. II
"Hang it, find it for mel" he said, abb
ruptly.
Lampkin opened the paper at the
place devoted to society news, and put
his finger on a paragraph.
"There you are" he said. "There's
your man who has been dead week.
Now what are you frowning about?
One would think Caruthers was rival
of yours that you want put out of the
way"
Hendricks drew deep breath, and
handed the letter which had so dis
turbed him to his friend.
"Read it," he said.
What the doctor saw was a sheet of
crisp blue linen paper, and on it the
following typewriter words:
'Mlnard Hendricks, Detective. New York
City:
"Astute Sir:
"If you will take the trouble to go to the
Palace Hotel tonight after you receive this,
and will inquire for Mr.. Weldon Caruthers,
you will be told that he Is out Of town, but
If you will insist on going to his apartments
on the second floor, you Will find there his
remains. He has been murdered and the Job
has been done so we'll that the chief actor
| In the game has not the slightest fear Of de-
lection, and takes this humble opportunity
| Of plttlng his wits against yours, now so
| celebrated. You are great detective, Hen
dricks, and they say you have never failed.
But this, my dear sir, shall be your Water
| loo." ",
Lampkin laid the letter down and.
turned to Hendricks, who stood at his
elbow. ~
''It is plainly an idle joke he said.
81 am astonished at your being dis
turbed over it,"
do l look disturbed?" asked Hen
dricks, absent-mindedly, and turning to
a large lounge he threw himself omit.
81 am absolutely worn out for one
thing, and then" ~
He paused. 1t was plain to the doc
tor that the detectives mental excite
ment had crippled his faculty for put
ting words together. "
"Look here" said Lampkin, drawing
chair near his friend and sitting
down. 81 say, what's the matter with
| you, anyway" r a. #
| Hendricks laughed. y,
81 may as we'll tell you the whole
truth and unburthen myself" he be-
gan. "The fact is, doctor, have never
in all my experience had but one thing
to really trouble me, and this letter,
somehow, seems to be connected with
that particular thing. have nevermen-
toned it to single soul, except my
mother, but she never talks of my af-
fairs, although / really believe that hap
pening has added ten years to her age.
To make long story short, about three
months ago after Kola-that East In
dian friend of mine--and l had been
hard at work all day in my library
over some papers connected with the
Hilburn murder case, sent him off
and Joined my mother at dinner. l
always sat at the head Of the table in
high h-backed chair upholstered in soft
leather something like the material on
this lounge. That night when l sat
down heard in the deep seat of the
, chair fizzing sound, like rocket get
!; ting ready to mount, and smelt the odor
of burning powder. With what little
f-presencen mind the good Lord has
given me, sprang up and kicked the
, chair from me half across the room.
1t lay there and spluttered for second
and then the little cloud of smoke dis
/ appeared from it.
MY mother almost tainted, and
: had to look after her, but
! lireturned 2 to the chair in a few
= moments and carefully carried it
out into the coalihouse. Lampllin, it
: contained the biggest, most deadly
bomb you ever saw. 1t was round
/ polished brass ball about three inches
in diameter, of make l have never
seen before. My quick action and the
e warning the burning fuse gave me
: saved my life. carefully drew out the
S uphosterer's brass-headed tacks, and
| saw the contrivance to fire the fuse-a
D spring affair to strike match when
: sat down. Doctor, that thing sends a
cold shudder up my spine every time
l think of it, and think of it too Otter
:. for my peace of mind, tell you" 80.
( II should think it would worry you,
y said the doctor. "It certainly was {
narrow escape"
). ut showed that l had an enemy
was the detectives reply. "And thi
Q anonymous communication after thret
months of silence on his part show
- he is still alive and-inyentive." ~
d ( "Ah, l, see. You think that lette
n was a trick to lure you into trap b,
d some one." %
/: "It has that appearance. The lette
:; was delayed BY my absence from town
If AS | was expecting every hour to,ge
n back l did not have my mail tfoi
W warded." 1'Fs+ %e
a "And your absence perhaps save
your life again." added Lampkin. y
ID Hendricks nodded, and gave a griI
e. smile. H gaf
z THAT letter was not written by
4, 4 fool, doctor, but must not think,off j
1t 1 must get to work. Keep your sea-
I'll be through soon" rJ
II Hendricks. as he spoke, rose and wen
to his desk again. Lampkin smiled /
admiration when he saw his friend
is face clear as he plunged into his co
i'd respondence. Presently, however, b
|. cnnn,ht Handrinl1s-, GLANCE 6 II rnved al