The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-08-09

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Boston and the story told about him
removed the diamond Just thel
there was a knock at the studio door
Unlocking IL 1 admitted DR.. Everett.
Hardly thinking. 1 gave him tn,
brush and asked him IL he had evel
seen Van Cruger using such a hrus!
in his work, for he was an intimate
fried OF the dead sculptor and otter
visited him while he worked.
| Why. no." he answered. Il dom
know that L ever have, and 1 cant
imagine what he could do with il here
for ne never used colors or OIL
That called his attention to the bust
and he said:
How lovingly Alex worked upon
that Clytie. Yesterday afternoon Ham
ilton and 1 came in here. and. as We
| pushed aside the portiere 1 really be-
lieve he was kissing the statue"
| Hamilton" I exclaimed, L thought
Yes" he broke in, II know they
were on rather distant terms last year.
but since Van Cruger's return rom Pa
ris close friendship seemed to exist
, between them.
why, yes" he continued, as he bent
over the bust. II am sure he was kiss
! ing it's lips. and I believe there IS a
mustache hair there now"
Sure enough. almost hidden from
sight. but lying between the half-part-
ed lips was a fine, dark-brown hair.
I took IL 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
OF lxo hIxy from, IL
I finished my search and found no in
dications of anything out of the way.
The chief smiled as reported and said,
II thought so. but Miss Maitland was
so disturbed and so positive OF foul
play"
1 went home, and after dining and
smoking was about to go out when
there was a whistle from the speaking
tube connected with the door which
called my attention.
Who is there?" 1 asked.
Us Mr.. Carroll imp" feminine voice
asked.
L replied: Yes" Opening the door.
/ found a beautiful woman in sttcet
attire. whose veil, flung hastily aside.
disclosed a face bearing marks of
mental anguish. She stepped inside,
closed the door behind her, and said:
Yes"
at am Helen Maitland, and have been
sent to you for confirmation OF the re-
port just given me at the office of the
chief of police in the case of Mr.. Van
Cruger. Ever since I was told of his
death. I have been sure he was muir
dered.''
What possible reason was there for
the murder of Mr.. Van Cruger?" /
asked. He had no enemies"
He had an enemy, a cruel. revenge
full enemy. who had sworn to kill him
before he would see me his wife," she
said. with such a cry of anguish that
it went to my heart.
1 waited a moment for her to collect
herself. and then said. as kindly as I
could:
THAT is a strange statement, Miss
1T is the truth, but his name shall
never pass my lips until the truth is
discovered" she sobbed again.
I stood with my hands in my coat
pockets. felt something unusual, and
drew out the little brush L had found
in the sculptor's room.
Did you ever see such an article in
Mr.. Van Cruger's studio?" 1 asked, |
holding it out to her.
Why I asked / don't know. She took |
1t, looked at II, and said:
mo, / don't remember"
She attempted to place il on a desk |
close by her side, but it fell from her |
trembling hand. My cat, Dandy, |
beautiful Maltese. seized it in her
mouth and sprang away from my |
grasp. I let her go. as said:
But. Miss Maitland, it is your duty |
to aid us in our search by telling us
everything that might have a posi- /
BILE bearing upon it,
IL cannot" she faltered. but I |
pleaded with her. and. finally, she |
said: well, 1 will tell you. 1 was
once half engaged to Mr.. Hamilton.
He loved me. 1 believe. deeply and |
passiOnately. His is a nature TO sac
rifice anything TO gain an object upon
which he has set his desire.
AT Newport this summer. while /
Alex was in Paris. Mr.. Hamilton told
to become my husband, and swore a
terrible oath of vengeance against Alex.
l was angry, forbade him the house and
to meet him until Alex came
back
What power he exercised over Alex |
I do not know, but they became great
friends
But. look. look" she cried. point
ing to Dandy, who had given one bound
into the air. and then ell motionless
on the rug where she had been playing.
A tremble ran over her body. and
my pretty pet was dead. She still held
the brush she had seized with the
brush end in her mouth. Instantly
the whole devilish scheme flashed a
cross my mind. and, turning. 1 said
to Miss Maitland:
You are right. He was murdered
poisoned. There is the proof, and on
that brush is the confirmation of it."
She reeled and fell into my arms. 1
laid her down and rang for the jan
itor. Taking a decanter of brandy
I poured a little into a glass and fore
ed IL between her lips: AS the jani-
tor came in she revived a little.
My carriage. my maid" she falter-
ed.
The janitor hurried to the stairs. and
presently returned with a young wo-
man who had come with Miss Maitland,