The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-12

YES he broke in, Il know they were
| on rather distant terms last year, but since
Van Cruger's return from Paris close
friendship seemed to exist between them
why, yes, he continued, as he bent over
| the bust II am sure he was kissing its
! lips, and believe there is n m,lstache
hair there now"
Sure enough, almost hidden from sight
but lying between the half-parted lips
was fine, dars-brown hair took it away
carefully by the aid OF my pencil, 1t was
| too fine for mustache hair.
! My eyes caught sight of the little brush
which the doctor had put down by the side
! of the bust. The hair was Enthusiastically
! from It.
| | finished my search and found no indi-
cations of anything out Of the way. Inc
chief smiled as reported and said:
| Il thought so, but Miss Maitland was 20
disturbed and so positive Of foul play"
| went home, and after dining and smok-
ing was about to 90 out when there was
whistle from the speaking tube connected
with the door which called my attention.
| "Who is therep" asked
| "Is Mr.. Carroll in?' feminine voice
asked.
| replied: yes" Opening the door.
| ] found beautiful woman in street attire.
whose veil, flung hastily aside, disclosed
a face bearing marks of mental anguish.
| She stepped inside. closed the door behind
her, and said:
| "You are Mr. Carroll. the detective?'
| Yes"
1T am Helen Maitland, and have been
| F. Qr,y, IF
lust given me at the Office OF the chief Of
| police In the case of MIR. Van Cruger. Ever
since was told Of his death. l have been
sure he was murdered
What possible reason was there for the
murder OF Mr.. Van Cruger" 1 asked.
He had no enemies"
| He had an enemy, a cruel, revengeful
en- envy, who had sworn to kill him before
he would soc me his wife, she said, with
such a cry Of anguish that went to my
heart.
waited a moment for her to collect
herself, and then said, as kindly as 1 could
| aThat is a strange statement, Miss
NJ a1tland.'
at is the truth, but his name shall never
pass my lips until the truth is discovered,
he sobbed again.
| stood with my hands in my coat pockets
1 felt something unusual and drew out
the little brush had found in the sculptor
| room.
| Did YOU ever see such an article in Mr.
| Van Cruger's studio?' I asked, holding
It out to her
Why asked I don't know. She took it.
| looked at 1t, and said;
! NO, don't remember
She attempted to place It on desk close
by her side, but it fell from her trembling
hand. My cat, Dandy, a beautiful Maltese
| seized 1t in her mouth and sprang away
! from my grasp. let her go, as l said:
| But, Miss Maitland, 1t Is your duty to aid
us in our search by telling us everything
that might have possible bearing upon
! it,"
with her, and, finally, she said: well,
/ will tell you. I was once half engaged
to MIR. Hamilton.
| ale loved me, l believe, deeply and
passionately. His is nature to sacrifice
| anything to gain an object upon which
! he has set his desire.
! AT Newport this summer, while Alex
was in Paris, Mr. Hamilton told me he
would kill any one who aspired to become
! INV husband and swore terrible oath
of vengeance against Alex. | was angry,
| forbade him the house and refused to meet
him until Alex came back.
What power he exercised over Alex
1 do not know. but they became great
friends.
But, look, look!" she cried, pointing to
| Dandy who had given one bound into the
air, and then fell motionless on the rug
where she had been playing.
A tremble ran over her body, and my
\ Ina at ma
brush she had seized with the brush end
In her mouth. Instantly the whole deviish
! scheme flashed across my mind, and, turn
ing. I said to Miss Maitland:
SYou are right. He was murdered
poisoned There is the proof, and on that
brush is the confirmation OF 1t.
She reeled and fell into my arms.
laid her down and rang for the janitor
Taking decanter Of brandy l poured
a little into q glass and forced it between
her lips. As the janitor came in she re-
vived little.
my carriage, my. maid, she faltered.
The ianitor hurried to the stairs, and
presently returned with young woman
who had come with Miss Maitland, anc
had waited below with the carriage. The
maid and I half helped, half carried he
down the stairs and got her into the
carriage.
/ returned TO my room, took the brusl
from the floor where it had fallen from
the released jaw Of the cat, wrapped II care
fully in paper, put it securely in large
photograph book and fastened to the rooms
OF one Of the best chemists in the United
States. told him the incident,
Come with me- he said, and we wen
into his little laboratory.
He soaked the brush in alcohol. A rev
moments testing with various reagents
a rapid changing OF colors and the cherns
turned to me and said