Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-12
SYNOPSIS.
WILL
n.
HARDEN

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 remains of Mr.. Weldon Caruth-
ers-currently reported for past two weeks
to be out of town. Detective seeemS to con-
meet letter with attempt made on his own
life some time previous. Goes with friend,
DR.. Lampkin, to investigate. Upon search
of Caruthers' apartments remains Of Gre
mated body and jewe1ed hand of victim
are found in 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 Hunting
ton. Dorothy shows detective typewriter
letter, which was an invita- ton for herself
and aunt to occupy with Count Bantinni,
Italian nobleman, his box at horse show.
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.
Gielow has fed. His servant. Henri tells
of overhearing confession to Bantinni.
Henri thought his master insane. Hen
ricks, concealed in room, hears all this.
Hendricks goes to consult Kola, an East
Indian interested in occult researches who
had helped him in much previous detect
i've work. and located in old colonial
mansion among the palisades. DR.. Lamp
kin is summoned by Hendricks, who has
been shot. Bullet is removed and detect
Ave warned not to leave his ROOM Hen
bricks unknown enemy had tried to chic
reform him in his sleep. Detective had
walked just in time, but was wounded by
pistol shot before he could prevent his as
saiants escape. Hendricks call for a Gre
matory employee, who confirms the sup
position that ashes found were those of
human body. Miss Huntington receives
letter from Gielow in his own handwriting
postmarked at Charleston, S. c.. telling OF
his crime and flight. Noted graphoiogist
examines handwriting of this letter and
says it is genuine. During a call on Sergt.
Denham, detectise Of police department:
Hendricks comes into possession of cun
with words written in blood over Gielow'S
name to effect that he was innocent, starv-
ing and confined. Going to Gfelow's studio,
Henri Identifies cuff IS his masters. Henri
tells of strange influence Bantinni had
over Gie1oW. Hendricks comes to conclu-
sion Bantinni was the murderer, and
through hypnotism made Gielow confess
both in person to Henri and by letters to
others. Hendricks and Lampkin go to
kola's retreat. Kola tells them GieloW
is dead. and to lprove his supernatural
powers claims to go to detectives home In
his astral body and bring back a Bible,
which is handed to Hendricks amidst
lot of occult haberdash. ko1a warns de-
tective an attempt is to be made on his life
Reaching home, Hendricks learns how
nearly Kola deceived him when his mother
tells Of disappearance of Bible after one
of Kolas calls during his absence in Bos-
ton. Coming now to Gielows experiences,
the story goes back to night of murder,
Bantinni by his strange power abducted
his victim. Gielow wakes in narrow cell
and realizes he s-starving. Bantinni tells
his prisoner he is in his power, and how
during three days of Inconsistencies he
had been used to write letters to Miss Hunt
ington and the police. The imprisoned art
list manages to loosensa stone in side of cell.
Through this opening he decides to send
message to the outside world.