Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
SYNOPSIS.

Mfnard 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 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 Caruthers' 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 a row between
Caruthers and Arthur GieIow, both suitors
for hand of Dorothy Huntington, who is
heireSs 60 several millions should she mar
~ Caruthers. Internationally in case of
Caruthers' death. Late that night Hen
bricks and Lampkin call a home of Miss
Huntington. Dorothy shows detective type
written letter, which was an invitation for
herself and aunt to occupy with Count
Bantinni, Italian nobleman, ms box at
horse sshow, as he was called out of town
by pressing business. She recalls Gielow
had expressed before murder intense ta-
tired for Caruthers and believes him guilty,
yet decides to help him, and with her aunt
goes to his studio. Gielow has fled His
servant, Henri, tells of overhearing con-
fessfon to Bantinni. Henri thought his
master insane. Hendricks, concealed in
room, hears all this. Hendricks goes to
consult Koia, an East Indian interested in
occult researches who had helped him in
much previous detective work. and located
in an old colonial mansion among the pal
1sades. DR.. Lampkin Is summoned by Hen
bricks, who has been shot. Bullet is re-
moved and detective warned not to leave
h4s room. Hendricks calls for crematory
empioye, who confirms the supp osition that
. ashes found were those of human body.
Miss Huntington receives letter from Gle
low in his own handwriting postmarked
at Charleston, s. c., telling of his crime
and flight. Noted graphoiogist examines
cvld f,
genuine. During a call on Sergt. Denham
detective OF police department, Hendricks
comes into possession of cuff with words
written in blood over Gieiow's name to
erect that he was innocent, starving and
cofH1ned. Going &c Gielow's studio, Hen
ri Identifies cuff as 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 Lampkip go TO
kola's retreat. Kola tells them Gielow
is dead, and to prove his supernatural
powers claims to go to the detectives
home in his astral body and bring back
a Bible, which is handed to Hendricks
amidst lot of occult balderash. Kola
warns detective an attempt is to be made
on his life. Reaching home, Hendricks
learns how nearly Kola deceived him
when his mother tells of disappea rance
of Bible after one of Kola's calls during
Gielow's experiences, the story goes back
TO night of murder, when Bantinni by
his strange power abducted his victim
Bantinni tells his prisoner he Is In his
power and how during three days of uncon-
seriousness he had been used to write letters
to Miss Huntington and the police. The i'm
prisoned artist manages to loosen a stone
in side of cell. Through this opening he
pushes his cuff with its bloody message to
the outer world. Sergt. Denhanl, not having
known of Hendricks connection with the
affair, comes to him for advice. This brings
Detective is now convinced of Identity of
Kola and Bantinni, and with Denham and
Lampkin, Joined by Miss Huntington, who
begs to accompany them, set out to rescue
Gielow. Hendricks and Lampkin, leaving
Denham and Miss Hunting ton in carriage,
go into the old house. Here they are trapped
by Kola, and would have been plunged to
their death through trap door in floor had
not Denham appeared. Kola is bound. By
means of ether the doctor decides to make
him talkatiVe.