Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-19
THE TEETH OF THE WOLF.

81 count on your accepting" said Vande-
leur.
but why?' I asked, with some impa-
tience II have never heard anything Ia
vorable with regard to Mrs. Bensasan. Her
cruelties to her animals are well known.
Granted that she is the best tanner of wild
animals in Europe would rather not know
her"
THAT has nothing to do with the case In
point replied Vandeleur. Mrs. Bensasan
and Madame Sara are working one OF
madames worst plots. I have not the least
doubt on the subject. 1t is my business TO
solve this mystery and l want your aid
"Of course, if you put it in that way l
c9n ~efuse longer" was my response.
But what do you mean?"
.,l.nply ms. AS Vandeleur spoke ne
leant back IN his chair and drew long
puff from his meerschaum. Il am acting
in the interests of Gerald Killers You have,
of course heard of the missing girl?
your enigmas become more and more
puZzling," L replied. Il know but little OF
Gerald Killers. And who Is the girl?''
Il have rather a pretty story to entertain
you with. This Is the state OF things, as
nearly as can narrate it, Mrs. Bensesan,
the owner of Bensasan's menageries, is IN
some ways the talk of London. She has
dared to do what hardly any other woman
has done before her. She runs her shows
herself, being always present at important
exhibitions. Her lion-taming exploits were
remarkable enough to arouse general at
tention in Paris last year, but now in Lon
don she is going an altered track. she is
devoting herself to the tanning Of even
wilder animals to MANAGE mean wolves.
"But what about the girl and your friend
Hiliers?'
II will explain. But first let me tell you
about Mrs. Bensasan 1 must describe her
before l go any farther. She is built on
10 heinp feet
She has strong features, prominent eyes
and a ringing, harsh voice. Her mouth
is remarkably large and wide understand
that Madame Sara has supplied her with
a perfect set of false teeth, so we'll made
that they defy detection, but altogth Their she
is disagreeable to look at, although the
very essence of strength. Now, this Wo-
man is a widow and has one only child
Of the name of Laura, a girl about nine
teen years of age, who Is in all respects
as unlike the mother as daughter could
be, for she is slight, fair and gentle-look ng,
with a particularly attractive face. MISS
Iaura has had the bad taste, according to
Mrs Bensasan to fall in love with H1ners,
whereas the mother wants her for diner
ent bridegroom. / have known Killers Tor
years, and his father Is friend of mine.
He is a nice. gentlemanly fellow, with
good commercial prospects. Now, although
it is more than probable that Killers will
be a rich man, Mrs Bensasan does nor
wish for the match. She wants Laura to
dwarf of the name of Rigby. So far as L
can ascertain Rigby is half Jew, half Greek,
and he has evidently known Mrs. Benasan
for many years. He lives in expensive
lodgings near Cavendish square, drives a
mail phaeton, and has all the externals
that belong to rich man. His face is as
repulsive as his body is misshapen. The
girl cannot stand him. and what the moth
er sees in him is the most difficult part of
the problem which 1 have got to solve. 1t
may be case of blackmail. If so, must
prove it. There is not the slightest doubt
that this extremely strong and disagree
able woman fears Rigby although she pro-
fesses to be a great friend of his.
'In addition, Madame Sara Is Mrs. Ben
sasan's friend. She spends a great deal OF
her time at Cray Lodge, the pretty little
place near Guldford, where the Bensasans
live. These two women are evidently hand
in glove, and both have resolved to give the
poor girl to JOS. Rigby; as things are at
present Gerald Killers stands poor chance
of winning his bride"
''You say the girl is missing?"
Eyes. About a month ago, Gerald wrote
to Mrs. Bensasan asking her for Laura 6
hand He had quite civil letter in reply,
stating that the matter required considera-