The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1899-02-22
CHAPTER II.


"You say you know Caruthers?" he
asked.
"very slightly"
"See if you recognize him in the ball
room"
Lampkin studied the throng for sew
eral minutes, then he went nearer, and
standing behind crowd of men and q
bunch of palms he studiously surveyed
the ballroom. He went back to the
detective.
"See anything of him?" questioned
Hendricks, taking his fixed gaze from
the rug at his feet.
NO"
"Then we must ask for him at the
desk"
They approached one of the active
clerks behind the counter. Hendricks
drew out visiting card and fingered
it, his name downward.
"Pd like to see Mr., Weldon Caruth-
ers," he said.
The clerk glanced at the key-rack
behind him and shook his head.
"He hasn't returned yet" he an
.wered. He is still out of town."
Where is hep" asked Hendricks.
IT cannot tell you, sir" and the clerk
turned to answer a question put by a
man in evening dress on his right.
81 am very anxious to see Mr..
Caruthers to night" resumed Hen
bricks, when he could get the clerks
attention again. "It is a very impor-
tant matter"
The man in evening dress had over
heard; he paused, interested.
Are you looking for Caruthers?"
he asked.
II am" replied Hendricks.
That's odd," smiled the man. "I've
seen dozen people tonight asking
about him. We were just discussing
his queer conduct and wondering what
was the matter with him. He has
broken several important engage
ments without a word of explanation
His valet told my man this afternoon
that his master had been called by a
night telegram TO Philadelphia Snd had
written him that he would be detained
there for couple of weeks. l presume
1t was some urgent business"
The speaker lighted a cigar and
moved away to a group of men in the
smoking-room. Hendricks drew the
clerk aside.
II am detective" he said, in low
voice. Hendricks is my name"
"Afinard Hendricks?" exclaimed the
clerk, in astonishment. his tone and
manner suddenly apologetic. 81 had nc
idea"
ut is most important that ] shoulC
have look into Caruthers' apartment
broke in the detective. Don't say {
word to anyone, but get pass key, ant
show my friend and myself up there
right away"
The clerk nodded, furried expires
sion on his face. Getting a key, h
came from behind the counter ant
started towards the elevator
"Not that way" objected Hendricks
OBTAINING him. Cant we 60 up TIL,
reartstars?"
"Sure." said the clerk. "It's only on
flight" And he piloted them to th
stairs behind the cloakroom. "You'l
find the apartments just as Mr., Caruth
ers left them. His valet said that hi
master had written him that the room
must not be disturbed by anyone"
Hendricks paused on the stair.
Ibid Mr.. Caruthers not inform hi
man that he was going awayT b
asked.
''No; you see Mr., Caruthers' nan
married and lives on the west sidt
he happened to have day of and ID
not know what had become Of his MAJ
ter till he got the letter"
II see," remarked Hendricks, and h
started on again.
Reaching the door opening int
Caruthers' apartments, the clerk III
locked II and led them in. The frs
chamber was private sitting-roon
the daipsy pieces of French fur-itur
draperies and rugs being in perfe'
order.
"The gas is burning" observed Nel