The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-04-12

.4s IL 9bu CahiOt Aeofc ehS seuN.Nt AH-
terrupted the detective, 81 will take
that to the office myself, !" Indicating
the scrap OF paper.
"Oh, l can GO, sir. We often leave
the studio open, and If it is the same TO
you I'd like to feel that'I had my hand
in the Investigations"
"As you like, Henri"
Hendricks turned into the reception
room where Lampkin and the heiress
sat exchanging desultory remarks. The
doctor noticed strange fixity in the de-
;ective's eyes and wondered what was
coming as Hendricks advanced slowly
and stood before Miss Huntington.
"You are a very courageous young
woman" he said. II have been de-
liberating whether could reveal soms-
thing to you of rather an unpleasant
nature"
Miss Huntington stared steadily and
folded her gloved hands tightly in her
lap. tfs
Il think, no matter what it is, that
you had better tell me-" she said. II
shall try to bear it."
Hendricks drew up chair and sat
down. lie glanced towards the doctor
as if for help, but evidently gave up any
idea of relief from that dignified quar-
ter.
MATTERS have reached very grave
stage" he said, mopping his perspiring
brow. perhaps ought 10 begin by
saying that Mr.. Gielow is innocent OF
even the slightest participation in the
murder, for that must be comforting
thought"
Miss Huntington leaned towards him
like some stiff inanimate object.
"He-he is dead?" she said, under her
| breath.
"No, not quite so bad as that" Hen
bricks raised his hand as If his gesture
would correct her surmise. "But have
reasons for believing that he is in a
very, very critical position. The fact
is, that he succeeded in getting writ
ten message to the police to the effect
that he is confined in some place un-
known to himself by Count Bantinni,
and that he is starving to death. 1t is
clear to me now that Bantinni Is the
murderer; that, through hypnotic
power, he has made Mr.. Gielow confess
to the murd .r both to Henri, in person,
and in letters to the police and your
self"
For a moment the heiress stared,
speechless.
"It is indeed Serious" went on the
detective, turning his uncomfortable
gaze on the doctor. "Bantinni is un'
doubtedly the guilty party, and Gle
low is the only witness against him. In
order to carry his point-of making it
appear that Gielow was guilty, and of
his own accord a fugitive-he would
not hesitate to-"
"Oh, my God!" cried Miss Hunting
ton, covering her face.
"Is there no course open?" asked
Lampkin, wrought to painful height
of sympathy by Miss Huntington's emo
ton.
st all depends on our capturing Ban
tinni and forcing him to reveal Gielow's
place of Imprisonment" replied the de-
tective, "but that is more easily talked
about than accomplished. Already !
have turned every stone to trace him,
but without particle of success. He is
the deepest villain on earth. II his
own flight were questioned, he would
claim that he disappeared to keep from
bearing testimony against his friend,
Gielow."
Just then Henri passed through the
room, the advertisement in his hand.
Hendricks nodded after him as he dis
appeared.
Il have sent him with Personal for
the morning Herald. In it offer sub
stantial reward for information regard
ing the finding Of Mr.. Gielow's message.
1 have worded it in such a way that IL
may bring us the young man who
picked it up. That blockhead Denham
was too busy to question him, and now
he must be found by US. l now know
why DtHHdLu Hdu NO eyes VI cars IOl
any other clews than the mysterious
one of which he boasted. He has had
a letter from Gelow such as Miss
Huntington received, and has had its
genuineness guaranteed by experts.
His fail will be great and sudden"
Hendricks rose.
81 shall have to leave you both" he
said. Time is too valuable to spend II
in useless explanations. l can do better
alone just now, doctor. am going "a
make another strenuous effort to locate
the count. Meet me at the office at eight
o'clock, and"--he turned to Miss Hunt
ington-"do try to bear up. promise,
as soon as l hear one thing, favorable
or unfavorable, that l will telephone
you"
The young lady stood up and leaned
on the back of her chair.
81 shall sit near the telephone till
hear" she said. "Please don't forget
1t looked as if Hendricks was about
to object to that, but he shrugged his
shoulders, and, bowing low, moved
backward till he was out of the room
and then they heard him walking rap
idly away.
lTo DE Continued