The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
$50, 600 in Gold or
the Fatal Hand ia.

was swathed in spiints and bandages so
that the hand was entirely concealed. but
the left, which lay upon the counterpane.
was slender and well formed, with the sec
ond finger extending the usual length be-
yond the others. II only the other hand
were visible. What mysteries did those
bandages conceal? He longed to tear them
away and satisfy himself. If this man was
guilty. he was fast spending the money of
the express company. If he was not. the
detective was losing valuable time. But
there was nothing to do but wait A wrong
accusation would discover his plans to the
world and bring down ridicule instead Of
praise. He mentioned meeting a girl on the
stairs, and saw a new light come into the
mans eyes. But those Of the woman
flashed with hatred. II sent her away"
she said CURLY. "She annoys the baron
with her attentions. She Is nothing but
street waif at the best. and not worth one
Of the many pains he is suffering for his
foolhardy adventure"
'I told you 1 would like to see her when
she came again, Mollie," he said, weakly.
She frowned at tie name and apologized
for him.
"a pet name the baron has given me. He
forgets there rs a stranger present"
The baron turned his head on the pillow.
and Maitland thought he saw the shadow OF
a smile fit across his features. Then he
turned his attention to the woman, and
was successful in winning from her an in
vitation to call again the next day.
That night thieves entered the baron's
lodgings and carried away some $500 in
gold that he had secreted under the floor.
When Maitland heard of 1t he FASTENED to
his new acquaintance to offer his sympa-
thies. He was shown the place where the
carpet had been ripped up to get at the hid
den treasure. And there, in the dust upon
a board, was the imprint of a hand-the
hand with the long third finger.
''They were not very sharp" said the
baron. carelessly, or they might have found
MORE" Then he sent for a clerk OF a bank.
had his man remove some bricks from the
chimney and take out $4,000 in gold twenty
dollar pieces, which he had deposited to his
credit.
That this was the money taken from the
express car Maitland felt confident, and yet
he had no proof. If the man on the couch
was the real bandit how came the imprint
of that hand in the dust? Had he robbed
himself to create a sensation, or was he,
after ALL innocent2 That hand under the
bandages! He must see that at any cost
and without delay. Mollie went out and left
them slipping wine together. Maitland looked
across the table at the arm lying sin In it's
splints and bandages. Then he got up and
went to the window, standing with his back
to his companion. When he returned there
was a look of stern determination on his
face. Let as drink to the health of the
little flower girl" he cried. what a little
beauty she IS"
"a strange creature. surely" replied the
other with interest. IT had hoped to see
her and thank her for the flowers she
sends But Mollie has frightened her SO
that she dare not come. When this cursed
arm is out Of the splints shall be free. and
then"
'And then you will find your little adj
mirer ready to receive you. Cad, baron,
you are a lucky fellow. And patient. too.
If were in your place should be tempted
Your arm must be well knit by this time
That's how II seems to me, but he is an
obdurate old ass
L WISH L. mlguI nave lOOk dt yOuI
bruised member" said Maitland. carelessly.
'T studied surgery once and might find
reasons for disasreeing with this old saw
bones. 'Spose we take a look at 1t, any
way?"
Gould you put It up again so that he
wouldn't suspeot?''
Right and tight as a package Of tee"
said the detective. draining his glass.
The baron poured out some brandy and
drained 1t at gulp. ITO it then before
Mollie gets back. I bali suspect she stands
in with the doctor to keep me housed up
here for fear will see the little GIRL
Maitland needed no second invitation.
With his penknife he quickly cut the
stitches and rapidly unrolled the bandages.
His hand shook and bis face flushed as fold
after fold was wound away. The other
watched him cooliy without once wincing
At last the splints lay bare. Maitland
lifted them gently away. his gaze riveted
on the myers.
whats the matter with you. man? It's
the arm that Is broken. up here. The fin
gers are all right
1.-The fingers are all right" repeated the
detective. setting his teeth to hide his dis
appointment IL icL TIC cdlitC at oil.
What isn't the same? They haven't
changed hands on me, have theyT'
II could almost believe they had" Matt
land rejoined under his breath. But say,
you don't need to be cooped up here any
longer. That old doctor is a fraud Your
arm Is In fine shape. I'll put on the band
age and We'll go out together for an air
ing. What do you say to a drive out to
the hill to see Mabel?"
I'm with you,'' cried the other. Hurry
up and we'll get off at once
That night Maitland paced his room for
hours. trying to find the end Of the thread
that would unravel this mystery. The
deeper he had gone into 1t the more he was
puzzled. The hand OF the baron was not
the hand of the robber. OF that he was
certain. And yet the money he was spend
I'm 1F