The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-10-26

man on the steps of Philip Grayson's
house-why, then, the fellow was no
lover Of Leonce, nor Of her mistress,
and had, probably, nothing to do with
the murder, but was merely amusing
himself counting a pretty girl!
In tina case, what a fool to spend
time thus, following up a wrong clue.
while the real murderer walked the
streets in safety. ,
On the other hand, II this man, the
Marquis del Castellani, was, indeed,
the man sought for, what was the Sc
cret Of his apparently confidential in
timacy with Philip Grayson's niece?
The affair was becoming more ana
more complicated, or else 1t was a
wrong scent entirely. r..
The more the Deceive thought oven
the matter the less light was shed upon
it. He longed for Jacky's return. and
determined to be guided by whatever
information the boy brought him.
Then he fell into a respondent frame
of mind, as clever people are very apt
to do when the nervous system is
taxed too far, and told himself he had
adopted q wrong calling-he had really
no talent for the business of a detect
i've, the powers Of his mind seemed to
be leaving him, and above everything
and beyond everything, the beautiful
eyes of a dark, lovely woma seemed
to shine on him, coming between him
and all that had once been Of interest
to him.
Eyes, I love her." he thought. "She
haunts me like a vision. For her sake
I could be mad and desperate like 9TH
err mentor her sake I could be great
and noble, and for her sake I will go
mad and die unless I a win her"
He flung himself desperately on the
nearest chair, and bowed his head de-
jectedly on his hands.
At the same moment a peculiar
sound, like the subdued cry Of a cat-
bird, vas audible under his window.
It was the signal agreed upon some
time before to Jacky's pres
ence on any occasion when he wished
to see his employer.
Hantlin jumped up and rang the bell.
He's back soon; he must have some
news" he thought. "Come I'M" to the
servant who knocked. "send the boy
a bootblack-who is outside in the
street, directly to me-"
The young man, who understood the
detectives business and was accus-
toned to prompt obedience, fastened
to obey; and in a few moments. Jacky
entered, looking very crestfallen..
After a slight whistle Of surprise at
the detectives appearance, though he
was beginning to get accustomed to
his protean changes, he said, detected
~: s.
"Guess I'll 'arn no more sinners from
you, boss; but I couldn't help 1t. I fol-
Tered 'em close, hut they took the L
train for Harlem, an this blamed leg
o. mine give a turn jest's I was gofn'
through the gate. an I fell. Fore I
could git up the strain was OF, an they
was gone afore my eyes,"
"Thunder. and lightning!" exclaimed
Hantlin, in a tone of desperation.
It was wholly unlike the cool n I'M
damonstrative n he had so long
cultivated, to give such a sign of i'm
patience and disappointment. and in
the next moment he had subdued all
outward traces of his feelings.
eff this man really is the criminal I
am after" he thought, ut must be the
devil protects him., I had such
ill-luck with any cas- in my life. Con-
found it all. I will have him yeti"
He set his teeth. together with a de-
termined click, and his steel-blue eyes
emitted a pale, fiery CLEAN that made
Humpy Jack feel very uncomfortable.
Don't look like that. boss!" the boy
said. "Blest IL I wouldn't ruther a.
broke that darned old leg than disap-
p'inted' yer. But I'll find 'em yet an
track 'em home. Tn almost all over
this ERE metropolis in the course o tn
day."
THAT'S right, Jacky," said Hantlin;
"pluck up your spirit. Better luck next
!, time. What's that in your hand?"
s'Somethin' the gent dropped. in his
hurry. I told the guard I was a-hur-
ryin' to give it to him, but he wouldn't
believe me; an then I run away with
1t, COS he wanted to take It hisself."
The boy held out a delicate white
handkerchief as. he spoke. It was a
plain, hemstitched border, but unusu-
ally fine, and, from It's size, 'Hantlin
saw that It was a mans handkerchief.
He took it, and glanced quickly at
the several In n was writ
ten the NAME. "Leonce "A: Beaupre."
An electric shock seemed to pass
from his hand to his heart. He
clutched the handkerchief in q tight
grasp.
.You may go. now. Jacky." he said.
kindly. ...I'll keep this. II you e that
man again. keep your eye on him. and
come and tell me when 0 think there
Is anything interesting
Jacky had observed the frightened
grasp oh the handkerchief, and won
dered; but he obeyed In silence. de-
termined to find some way Of earning
the promised sinners"
Hantlin turned the key In the door
and dropped into a chair In front 81
the writing desk, at which he often
worked out plans. real and imaginary,
Of his various cases" He used to say
1t gave him ideas and helped him ~
following out q clue.
He spread out the handkerchief be-
fore him, and his gaze became. fastened
as II fascinated. on the name in ths
corner. Xsa %5
Her loyer!!'' b e unused. Her lover
mot that Of her NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. does
he carry about y handkerchief bearing
her name? Isss he the murderer then
or wal his presence ~ mere coincf;
a dence? I must know. - that maj
II killed Philip Grayson, mine shall b
1.-The hand 10 give him VI 9 Justice
swear i II! Does she love him? Ru1
whysdo AK? Il III such mMensas u
That turn angels intossdeYlls and 81,
own eye ~ her ter1or GoEghim. ohs