Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-09-05
thought -Hantlin, keeping her we'll In
view, IT thought you bent just trito
too much and walked just little too

thought .Hantlin, keeping her we'll IN
view, IT thought you bent just trit1o
too much and walked just little too
old''
Quickly as the detective walked, 1t
needed his best speed to Keep the wo-
man In view, without getting near
enough to cause suspicion.
On she went, through street after
street, away, over to the east end OF
tn. city, end, after her, keeping her al
ways In sight, walked William Hant-
lin, and, strangely enough. the mover
pursuit gave him a new and singular
pleasure, quite apart from tire pleasure
CT tracking mystery to it's source.
and all the time the dark, beautiful
Ln"n before him, and to send strange
and hitherto unknown sensation
through all his being
BY this time the woman had reached
that portion of the city which was be-
ginning to be known as the Italian
quarter" and which was already well
known as one of the lowest and West
haunts of vice in the metropolis. Sne
had Just crOsHed a narrow street ana
had paused for a moment, as II uncer-
tain how to continue her way; 'no
Hantlin paused, also, until she should
decide; when, at tire very moment she
moved on again, there was a sudden
movement caused by horse falling
down as it rounded a corner of the
street; and when Hantlin had forced
himself through the throng and found
himself on the other side of the street,
the woman with the basket was gone
not a trace of her to be seen. any more
than If the earth had opened and swal-
lowed her ur.
Rage, disappointment, chagrin. took
possession of the baf'led detective.
"That woman is fated to make foo!
of mel" he mutte1e d, in a voice of des-
pair; and thcn, turning away, he be-
gan to retrace his steps, determined to
pass the rest of the night thinking the
whole matter over, and making carefuf
notes of the entire case, as far as 1t
had gone.
On the following day, having carried
out the above programme before going
to bed. and having subsequently been
refreshed by several hours sleep, De-
tective Hantlin felt encouraged to new
effort, and determined to unravel the
mystery he had un 1er:aken.
He vas Just, preparing tn so out
when a card was brtr ght to him, and
the servant informed him that the lady
was waiting down stairs in his private
parlor.
CHANGING at the card, Hantlin read
the name-"N1rs. Kate Martin"-and
fastened tc receive h.c.
Mrs. Martin was walking about the
room in state of suppressed excite
ment, which found vent in words the
moment the detective entered.
ct have brought this to you, sir" SHE
said, presenting the miniature of Clar-
ice which she had found in Shirley
Austin's possession. 'It is the missing
miniature stolen from my brother.
That there might be no room for doubt.
I have been to the artist who painted
it, and he Immediately recognized his
own work."
She then, in the briefest manner pro-
ceeded to tell the detective all of the
facts connected with it, and how she
same to find it,, concluding:
"And now, sir, the murderer is i'll my
house, and think can help to MAKE
any further search unnecessary"
"Your information is most valuable,
madam, and thank you deeply. Now,
a few words, if you please. This per-
son-Sh!rley Austin--he is a handsome.
blonde man, with long golden hair?"
mot at all. He is somewhat dark
rather olive-complexioned, with dark.
brown hair and large, dark eyes,"
"Ah! then his hair is quite short, and
artificially colored-or perhaps he wears
a wig?"
"By no means I have means of
knowing for certain, as I applied ice
and cold-water bandages to his head,
under the Doctors directions"
cat least he is unoommonly tall?"
"a couple of inches above your own
height, should say, SIR
'Then, madam. he is not the man we
are in quest of. He may be in league
with the murderer. The possession OF
grant you, land he may be able to tell
us who the criminal is. Stay! When
did you say the young man was taker
ill at your house-at what hour?"
''In the evening; it was not yet
dark"
Mrs. Martin answered almost angrily.
she was furious because f1dnLlll Ulu
not at once accept her theory as to
Shirley Austin's guilt.
"Then it is quits certain he is not our
mani" the detective replied, with de-
cision, remembering his experience of
the night before. Il am infinitely
obliged to you, madam, and I have lit
tie doubt bat the finding of the minia-
ture will aid us. And now l must beg
you will excuse me. was going out
when your card was brought to me-"
Mrs. Martin with difficulty, controlled
her annoyance: then, bidding the de-
tective a civil "Good-morning" hast.
ened away.
"How she hates that lovely sister-in-
law of hers!" thought William Hantlin.
looking about for his cane and gloves,
and leisurely drawing on the latter as
he sauntered into the street.
He had not reached the first turning
when he felt his coat sleeve pulled, and
a familiar voice exclaimed:
"Helro, boss! I've somethin' to show
you!''
"Why, Jacky" Hantlin exclaimed,
good naturally, as, turning. he met the
gaze of Humpy, the bootb.ack What
is it, and where is it?"
1--WE ARMED the five-dollar gold
10 in1 f0