Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-03
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. Hen
bricks, with air that showed his
unfamiliarity with just such field of
operation, gave his hat to the nearest
man and, keeping on his oyercoat,
he walked straight into the drawing
room. Lampkin was more deliberate.
He took off his overcoat, gave it and his
silk hat to a lackey and came in and
sat down quite as if he were expect
ing to be summoned to the boudoir of
a wealthy patient.
Miss Huntington was a 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
SO 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, ard we have only heard
from him once"
at is not concerning him that we de-
sired to speak, said the detective, in
Producing Lampllin with commendable
ease. II won't keep you long. L have
been informed that you are friends of
| Mr.. Weldon Caruthers, and it is about
| him that 1 wanted to confer with you.
| To come to the point at once, l have
| reasons for being disturbed about his
| rather peculiar absence"
"But he is in Philadelphia exclaimed
| Miss Huntington, in a 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 I ask how you know that?''
| asked Hendricks, automatically.
Miss Huntington hesitated, and then,
receiving the sanction of her aunt 5
| glance. said:
81 had a 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! 1 am sure he
| is all right, although his leaving was
| quite unexpected. I 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 whe Their he
could be in his right mind.
| 81 have never dreamt of its not being
| from him. she said, firmly. Il am
| sure I've no reason at all for doubt
| ing its
| Mrs. Winfret leaned forward, her an
| gular form stiffening as if under some
petrifying process due to the action OF
| a startled state of mind.
| 81 am not sure of it, now come TO
think over the matter" she remarked
giving each word separate and dis
tinct drop, You rememb Der, Dorothy,
you said you could not forgive him for
debating the letter to typewriter and
not even signing it,
The young lady flushed at the per-
| sonality, but she finally admitted tina,
she had not exactly appreciated the
manner in which the letter had beer
written, while she still held firm to the
belief that it was genuine.
Nothing could be easier than te
forge a typewriter communication
suggested Hendricks, paving his way
to more startling disclosures. "Havs
You the letter."
cit is upstairs" said Dorothy, hel
tone betraying growing perturbation