Hutchinson gazette., 1900-04-19
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: TRACKED BY A TYPEWRITER,


fair, and there was some excuse ioi
the deep anathema which came from
George heriots lips, as he read the
contents of the brief letter in hif
hand.
"What's wrong, old man2' asked his
chosen chum and companion, Berllt
Vane, from the other side OF the
breakfast table.
"Its that most dastardly of all
things--an anonymous letter. wAs the
brief reply.
"Chuck II behind the fire, and have
some of these deyiled kidneys before
they get stone cold" was Bertiet
shrewd advice.
"That's what | did with the first
and the second, too" and Herioi
scowled fiercely as he spoke, "And
now here's third Of the horri'
BILE things. All, don't | just wish ]
could have five minutes--only five min
utes with the sender"
"Disguised handwriting, of course|
queried Bertie,
"Not bit Of it-typcwritten."
"Aiay have look at lt?'
Heriot hesltated moment, then he
said.
"Well, old fellow, you see IL doesn't
concern me alone, If II did ! wouldn't
care u rap. But It's u nasty insinuN'
tion against someone who's n great
deal deNrer to me than | care to ac'
knowledge
"You mean Helen Cnrr?'
"Yes--l do; but how did you lnowT
"0h, most simple youth! As II any
one couldn't see how uwlully gone you
are in that quarter Why, I've beer
expecting TO hear the engagement an.
nounced any time this three months
"No such luck" and lleriot shook
his head mournfully 81 don't think
she cares one little bit for me-
Don't you." replied his friend, dry
ly; "well, lookers-On see most OF the
game sometimes, But IL you care sc
much for Miss Carr don't you think
you ought to try to find out who Is
traduCmg herr
Don't | only wish II were possible
I'm not q rich man, but I'd give o
pony to find out the writer Of this vile
thing. Here, have look at it," and
Heriot threw the letter in question
ncross the table.
BERTHE Vane picked II up aud scrut.
inized 1t carefully, IT was short
merely containing an inslnuation that
the lady in question had bestowed her
heart, and would willingly give her
hand, to suitor fan below her rank
In life, and whoever married her might
rest assured that his wile's affection
was already bestowed on, and would
be retained by, the individual in ques'
tion.
"Got such thing as microscope
In the house, old fellow?" asked BERTHE
after a prolonged examination of the
letter.
"lGh! microscope? Yes, think so
but what the deuce has that got TO dc
with it?"
"show you dircctly-fetch the affair
willyou?"
Obedently, but thoroughly puzzled
Heriot rose from the table, left the
breakfast room, and in few minutes
returned with small mahogany box.
Hasn't been used for years" he
remarked as he handed II to his
friend; mot since was bitten with
IN chronological craze at college"
"Neyer mind, it'll answer our pur
pose, dare say" and BERTHE opened
the box as he spoke, placed the micro
scope in position, and then carefully
focused its tube on the letter, cnch line
of which he examined carefully.
Thought so," he at length eXclalm.
ed. Nov Just come and have look
here, old man. See anything peculiar
about that mp"
Heriot peered through the micro.
scope for moment or two, and then
said:
DO you mean that line across the
middle stroke?"
"Yes, do, Now look at the next
I'M two lines below"
Heriot did so and found the same
slight malformation of the letter
"lIut what does all this lead to?" he
asked.
"l'll tell you--t's only my theory,
"" hh'N' b"l lunNN ~ " WORK OUL'
l believe that little line is caused by
n small piece of hair, or something OF
that sort, which by accident has ad.
hered to the surface of the letter"
"Well?"
"Now, don't you get impatient. old
fellow. We've got to do little bit OF
detective business. and | fancy irll be
rather fun, and keep MS busy for a
week or two. This thing" and he in.
dicated the letter on the table, "has
been written with new Circle type.
writer ! can recognize the peculiar
style of letter, but It's only very re.
Gently introduced, Now we've rot ia
find out who have purchased Circles
2 OF Tracked by typewriter ..,....
recently and next which of those
machines has an m which cores.
ponds with this"
"And do you think we can do it?"
"At any rate we can try. Now come
along TO the library, and wen take the
first step"
A curtly worded letter was sent Ia
the agent Of the Circle typewriters
asking for price lists. etc, and speci
men of the work done by the machine;
and by return of post came lot
OF descriptive pamphlets, etc, and O
courteous letter from the manager
written by the machine. which he, OF
.l... L IL.