Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-08-04

be bsek IN a week, at xs.t. Perhaps "a
less tine"
Il will hold anything Of a suspicious n a
til your return"
"fsray do. and let nothing pass. Good
by" ~ N'
Thirty minutes later the detective was
being rapidly borne southwark over the
Manchester road.
At eleven O'Clock on the eighth he enter
ed the city hall in New Orleans, and pass
ed into the health Office, where he inauir-
ed for DIR. Duryca, the head Of the health
department.
a messenger conducted him to the doc
tors private Office.
y wished to ascertain, DOCTOR said
sellars, land to a certainty, il one Ste
phen Craven fell a victim to yellow fever
IN New Orleans during the years eighteen
fifty-four or fifty-fve."
The doctor had been adjusting his
glasses and he now cast a glance ut the
card the messenger had handed him.
Lang Sellars Of North Carolina! What,
the great Southern detective?" he cx-
claimed, extending his hand. 81 am more
than pleased to meet you, sir, and the rec
ords of our Office will show. I have been
at the head Of the department for the past
eight years. and flatter myself that the
list is complete. Someone trying to de-
fraud 0n insurance pcrhnusy'
"Oh, no." answered Sellars, but a man
whose relatives have lost track of him.
The last heard Of him he was here in New
Orleans, in eighteen fifty-four, 1 believe,
and rurnor has reached their ears that he
fell a victim to yellow fever"
IL Sep. CrAypn Stonhcn Ceoyopi 4
have no recollection Of the name; but
come. We will search the records of the
office"
Together the two mon were soon porting
over the records Of the dead; but the name
Stephen Craven did not appear there.
mo such man yielded up his life in our
city, Mr.. Sellars, In either eighteen fifty
four or five"
"I-ct us turn to iifty-thrce," observed
Selinrs.
They did so.
The result WIS the same.
Deaths in your hospitals are included
hcrc."
YES, Mr.. Scllars, all deaths. OF course,
you might visit the hospitals and ascertain
IL such a name was omitted from their re-
ports. but l feel assured that such will
not prove the case"
II will do so," observed Sellars.
You know where they are located. l
prcsuneT'
Yes, certainly. am Obliged to you,
doctor. Cool day"
The hospitals of the city were visited by
the detective, and the death roll of each
scanned for the years named. but on none
did the name Stephen Craven appear.
Now for the Crescent Hotel and sup
per-" thought Sellars, as he left st. Vim
cents behind him. "Afterward a round
up of all the hotels. Next a call on Chief
Ramsy, then the gambling houses, and 1
have done the town.
II have been the night clerk here for
seven years." replied Clerk Spencer of the
Crescent in answer to Sellars' question
after he had come from the dining room,
"and / nm blessed with a fairly good men,
| DRY. We have never had a guest by the
name of Stephen Craven. Here are the
registers; you can look them over"
"The name is Il strange one to your
81 never heard it before. There are the
| directories. on the end of the counter. You
will find them all there, from eighteen
fifty. and can ascertain il such a party
had a residence here since that year"
The detective examined them every one,
but in none did the sought-for name APP
pear.
1t was twelve o'clock when he had fiji
ished his round of the hotels and he de-
cided to delay his call Oh Chief Ramsy
until the next day.
IF I only had a photograph of Stephen
Craven" he thought. Ito show Ramsy,
it might aid ne, hut / have not a thing
merely n name he might have abandoned
years ago. The banker would not have
allowed his picture In his house, l can
well believe. Well, l will try Ramsy in
the morning"
He did SO, but naught did it avail.
Ramsy had been at the head of the New
Orleans detective service six years, hut
he had no knowledge Of Stephen Craven.
The name did not appear on the records of
his Office.
az he was a sport, as you surmisc,'
observed Ramsv, 'you may learn some
thing of him at some of the gaming
houses"
81 shall take them in," observed Sci
hrs. 81 suppose the old numbers EN-.
brace them all?"
Nearly" said Ralnsy. There have
been a few changes. Tho Holly is closed,
and Steve Abbott has sold ont to Merrill
brothers.; but you have been here since
then"
"Oh, yes," replied Sellars. II was here
only three months ago."
"Oh. we'll, it's three years since Alb
bolt sold OUT
What became Of hing
Running a house In Baltimore, I be,
lieve. We were glad to get rid of him
Q smooth, slick scoundrel. is Steve Abbott
1t got too hot for him here"
Have you a photograph of Abbott
Rnmsy"
NO, we were never able to get hi.
p~hysiognomy in our royues' gallery. Ht
vas too slick for us; but then, he has III
connection with your man. He cursed
this city with his presence for ten year.
at least. You must remember him, Lang
if you we're ever In his plact-a voice like
oil. a manner as smooth as glass. ant
about my size"
"Beard?"
mo, not even a mustachc. Smootl
face, thin lips, a great dresser, and n reg
ular con- man."
~ AS,.I. Z .a.,.,h.. L., ~