Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-19
SYNOPSIS.

Minard Hendricks, great detective, Just
returned from Boston, finds awaiting him
an unsigned typewriter letter directing
him to apartments in Palace hotel. where
he will find remain of Mr.. Weldon Caruth-
ers-currently reported for past two weeks
to be out of town. Detective seems to con-
meet letter with attempt made on his own
life some time previous. Goes with friend,
DR.. Lampkin, to investigate. Upon search
of CaruthrS' apartments remains of Gre
mated body and jeweled hand of victim
are found in a vase. Hand bears marks of
finger nails manicured to sharp points.
Lampkin recalls reports of row between
Caruthers and Arthur Gielow. both suitors
for hand of Dorothy Huntington, who is
heiress to several millions should she marry
Caruthers, Internationally in case of Car
uthers' death. Late that night Hendricks
and Lampkin call at home of Miss Hunt
fngton. Dorothy shows detective type
written letter, which was invitation
for herself and aunt to occupy with Count
Bantinni. italian nobleman, his box at
horse show, as he was called out of town
by pressing business. She recalls Gielow
had expressed before murder intense hatred
for Caruthers and believes him guilty, yet
decides to help him, and with her aunt
goes to his studio Gieiow has fed. His
servant, Henri, tells of overhearing confess
sion to Bantinni. Henri thought his master
insane. Hendricks, concealed In room,
hears all this Hendricks goes to consult
kola, an East Indian interested in occult
oreSearches who had helped him in much
previous detective work, and located in an
old colonial mansion among the palisades
DR.. Lampkin is summoned by Hendricks,
who has been shot. Bullet is removed and
detective warned not to leave his room
Hendricks unknown enemy had tried to
chloroform him in his sleeep. Detective
had walked just in time, but was wounded
by pistol shot before he could prevent his
assailant's escape. Hendricks calls for a
crematory employe, who confirms the sup
position that ashes found were those of
human body. Miss Huntington receives
letter from Gielow in his own llandwrit
ing, postmarked at Charleston. 5. C., tell
ing of his crime and flight Noted graphol-
ogist examines handwriting of this letter
and says 1t is genuine. During a call on
Sergt. Denham, detective of police de-
partment, Hendricks comes into pos
session of cuff with words written in blood
oVar Gieiow'S name to effect that he was
innocent, starving and confined. Going to
Gielow's studio, Henri identifies cuff - his
masters. Henri tells of strange influence
Bantinni had over Gielow. Hendricks
comes to conclusion Bantinni was the muir
derer. and through hypnotism made Gielow
confess both in person to Henri and by let
tiers to others. Hendricks and Lampkin
go to Kola's retreat. Koia tells them Gle
low is dead. and to prove his supernatural
powers claims to go to detectives home in
his astral body and bring back Bible,
which is handed to Hendricks amidst
lot of occult ba1derdash. Kola warns de-
tective an attempt is to be made on his life.
Reaching home, Hendricks learns how
nearly kola had deceived him when his
mother tells of disappearance of Bible after
one of Kola's calls during his absence in
Boston. Coming now to Gielows eXper-
fences, the story goes back to night of muir
der, when Bantinni by his strange power
abducted his victim. Gielow wakes in mar
row cell and realizes he is starving. Ban
tinni tells his prisoner he is in his power,
and how during three days of unconscious
ness he had been used to write letters to
Miss Huntington and the police. The i'm
priSOned artist manages to loosen stone
In side of cell. Through this opening he
pushes his cuff out with its bloody mes
sage to the outr world. Sergt Denham,
not having known of Hendricks connection
with the affair, comes to him for advice.
This brings out fact that cuff was found
near palisades. Detective is now convinced
of identity of Kola and Bantinni, and SO
informs Denham.