Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-09
ByGeOrge Bar ton.

FV-~ iiI reputation una the future
career OF promising young
American diplomat depended
upon the solution Of the sud
den and mysterious disappearance of
his suit case The newspapers were
full Of It at the time; but none of them
ever learned the inside facts. and they
are noe presented in their entirety for
the first time.
The incident upon which the story
hinges can be briefly summarized.
Francis Lane consul general to Flora
Islands, had been summoned from his
post to appear at Washington to am
swer charges Of gross fnvorltlsm IL
not corruption, In the management OF
his office. Tho charge had been made
by the powerful Consolidated Cocoa
nut company. and although Lane was
absolutely innocent OF wrongdoine the
corporation had managed to make out
o. very plausible ease against him.
BY rare good fortune Lane got pos
session of black covered letter hook
belonging To rival company which
furnished a complete vindication of his
official acts. He packed II in his suit
and during the voyage over never let
X out OF hts sight, He held the suit
case IN his hand when the Capricorn
reached her dock. When the gang
plank was lowered he hurried or to the
wharf, and the first person to greet
him was Helen Thomson, his fiance.
The sight of her bright brown eyes and
hlushing checks threw the young diplo-
rnat into an ecstasy of deight. InVoluu-
fHfily he dropped the suit case aud
rushed over to greet the girl The next
minute he turned to pick up his valu-
nble piece of property. 1t was gone
had disappeared as completely as II the
wharf had opened and swallowed II.
Lane. frantic at his loss, hurried 10
the custom house and told his story to
Barnes, the chief Inspector When he
had concluded. Barnes sat back in the
revolving chair in front of the HAT top
desk IN his Office and carefully scrutin-
ICED q fly that was slowly making It's
way across the decorated ceiling. From
the intensity of his glance It might he
supposed that the fate of nations de-
pended upon the certainty with which |
the insect made its journey. But al |
though Barnes eyes We're on the fly |
his thoughts were elsewhere. 1t was
simply one of the methods he employed |
to concentrate his mind and TO regu- |
late and quicken his mental process.
Presently the chief turned to Lane aud |
said abruptly;
Might / ask what passed between !
you and Miss Thomson"
1T was purely personal,
But what was IT,
The diplomat hesltatcd for a moment,
then spoke unreservedly:
.'She said John Buckingham. her
guardian, was opposed to my engage
ment with her. She said he was a
VSry positive man, and / said | cond
be very positive. too-where she was
concerned
Haven't you even slight clew to
the theft2" asked Barnes mnaingly.
Lane laughed ironically.
"One of the Inspectors said he saw
n man leave the wharf with suit
case
what was he llse?'
He didn't know, except that he had
on red crarat and wore long rain
cont
After a long silence the chief said,
indulgently.
Come see me this afternoon; there |
IL nothing you can do just now.
Once outside Lane started in the d.
rection for the purpose Of calling OH |
Miss Thomson Arriving at the brown
stone residence he handed his card to
the grave faced butler. Presently that
returned with the reply
that Mr.. Buckingham, as the guardian
OF Miss Thomson, was aware of the
fact that Mr.. Lane was at present un- |
der cloud and in view OF that fact
would respectfully request that MI.
Lane discontinue his visits and ac-
with Mr., Buckingham
ward"
The unoxpectedness of this blow made
Lane gasp FOR breath. He was IN
stantly filed with resentment against
John buckingham. What right had
that person to treat him In such a
scurvy manner? lie would return and
have II out with him like n man, So
her second thought, however convinced |
him that he was under a cloud and thet
Il careful guardian had perfect right
TO look after the interests of his ward.
Early In the afternoon Lane returned
10 Barnes Office hourishing IA letter.
"IVe just received this at my ho~
tel" he said eaeitedly. Possibly you
can make something out OF Il; can't
Barnes examined the letter carefully, |
The name and address We're typewrit-
ten on plain envelope, which was free
from any other printed or written mat
ter The mark of the cancelling ma
chine indicated that Il had been mailed
at the main postoiiice at s o'clock the
might before lnslde the envelope was
q round brass check and plain bristol
board visiting card. The metal check
was numbered and had the imprint Of |
the package room Of the Grand Trunk |
railroad station The card had on 1t |
in old Gothic type these words: