New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-07-18
The Haunted Man

The doctor said it was singular
case, but by no means rare one. Cor
don Combs by namea bachelor Of ]
thirty five, wealthy and taking life
easy, had suddenly become possessed
of the idea that he was haunted.
Just what sort Of feeling is this
that comes over you?'' was asked.
1T is easily described. 1t is as If
one were waiting for dear friend to
die-a feeling of awe-a state Of sus-
pense, and now and then find myself
bringing, as if some one was aiming a
blow at me-"
Crash! Zipr'
''That was from an air gun,'' said the
doctor after throwing up the window
and looking out, and then turning to
the bullet imbedded in the wall
'sAnd fred at me-" added Combs
Undoubtedly, as you ,Tere facing
the window and I could Rot be seen.
Your enemy is in one Of those houses.
He fired from roof or window. One Of
them Is a rooming house, and it was
likely from that"
L.
suggested the patient.
Possibly, but don't think so. Your
case has gone beyond me. Put it into
the hands Of the police
Combs went to the police and report
ed the affair as probably an accident,
but asked that they find out if any
boy or man living in any of the houses
1nl 4
port and no powder smoke. Inside Of
two days detective assured him that
such thing as an air gun had never
been seen about any of the houses. The
bachelor made up his mind that it was
an accident, but that the shooter had
lied about it, and he tried to dismiss it
from his mind. He had the feeling Of
fear yet, but he did not go back to the
doctor. He determined to fight against
and conquer it. Two days later at the
club he ordered a drink, which was not
brought to him Immediately, as the
waiter had to serve another order first,
When the wine came it sat at his ell
bow untasted while he conversed with
an acquaintance who had just come in.
Hello said the gentleman, as his
eyes lighted on the glass, "but the col
or of that wine is way off tonight Let
me see''
He held it up between his eye and
the light for a moment and then said:
II don't like the looks Of this at all.
Let me take it to Peters and have him
analyze it,
''For what?'
'For knockout drops"
"Bosh! And in our own club too!'
Next day the chemist reported that
the wine had been poisoned. The waiter
explained that he had left it moment
unmatched before bringing it to Combs,
but neither he nor any of the others had
seen strange person about The mat
ter was kept secret between three or
four members Of the club, and Combs
did not go to the police until a fort
night later. Then he went because
third attempt had been made
"You have got deadly enemy" said
the detective to whom the case was
given, land you must set your memory
at work and try to give me pointer.
This unknown is doubtless a man, and
he wants your life mighty bad What
man have you ever had serious trouble
WITH
mo man on earth, and 1 pledge you
my honor on that was the reply.
"Well, then, what woman?'
"None-absolutely none"
"Well, here are three dastardly at
tempts and no clew I don't see what
we can do but wait for the fourth and
hope that something may turn up"
Combs waited. He could do nothing
but wait Three weeks later, as he
went to the stables for his horse and a
gallop in the park, he accidentally dis
covered strong pin thrust through the
hap OF his saddle in such way that it
must have sharply pricked his leg had
he mounted. No man about the sta bles
knew OF the pin, and yet a chemist
said that its point had been STEPPED in
deadly poison. Then the detective
suggested that the victim make a Sc
cret departure from the city and go
abroad for few months This advice
was followed. The man was fast be-
coming nervous wreck, and he real
lied that he must get from under the
shadow or collapse. No one could have
made more secret departure, and yet
when the steamer bound for London
was three days out he discovered that
his box OF favorite cigars had been
meddled with and probably poisoned.
On landing in London Combs, en-
ployed a private detective to accom-
pany him and started for Switzerland.
Every precaution was used in getting
away and in reaching a place of the
travelled route, and for month the
hunted man had peace. There was no
other guest at the chalet where the
+, two found lodgings, and 1t was some
! miles to the nearest village or hotel
One day the bachelor, who was now re.
| gaining his lost flesh and spirits, went
| up the mountain to a peculiarly shaped
spot called the basin. It was quiet
| retreat, and it had become his habit ia
| read and smoke there when the wealth.
er was pleasant. On this day the de.
| tectivQ Isl acnnynnanind hin, h,,< bod