The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-03-01
CHAPTER w.

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 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 a 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, and we have only heard
from him once"
at is not concerning him that we de-
sired to speak," said the detective, in
Producing Lampkin with commendable
ease, 81 won't keep you long. have
been informed that you are friends of
Mr.. Weldon Caruthers, and it is about
him that 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-
tion. 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,
| .
glance, said:
81 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! am sure he
is all right, although his leaving was
quite unexpected. 1 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.
81 have never dreamt of its not being
from him." she said, firmly. 81 an
sure I've no reason at all for doubt
ing it."
Mrs. Winfret leaned forward, her an
gular form stiffening as if under somt
petrifying process due to the action O.
u startled state of mind.
81 am not sure of it, now I come tC
think over the NATTER she remarked
giving each word separate and dis
!, tinct drop. "You remember, Dorothy
\ you said you could not forgive him fol
Il dictating the letter to typewriter ant
not even signing it." 'a" '''
n The young lady flushed at the per
! sonality, but she finally admitted tina
she had not exactly appreciated tn
b manner in which the letter had beel
written, while she still held firm to tn
belief that it was genuine.
. "Nothing could be easier than t
/ forge a typewriter communication,
/ suggested Hendricks, paving his wa,
TO more startling disclosures. "Hav
you the letter?"
, at is upstairs" said Dorothy, he
tone betraying growing perturbation