The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-10-15

out some criminal design OF his own or
else that he was trlcked into doing II
as part OF the plot that was his un.
doing.
THE knife thrust through the table
seems TO suggest either pure bravado
or an excess OF murderous passion
that Is not borne out by any other evil
dence Of struggle in the room. The
satin slipper and the telephone call are
the points of evidence added by the
woman. She may have stepped into
the blood and shaken off the slipper,
not to avoid being tracked. for she
thereby left dangerous clew, but be-
cause II would be easier to explain a
lost slipper than one soaked with
blood. But here was faced by
stone wall and I could go no further"
Absolutely nothing" | said blankly.
"Of course not; but read this and
see II II throws any light on II. I
clipped II from this mornings paper"
II was an item from the personal in.
telllgence column and It said: Capt.
Fitzhugh Graham. the famous English
orchid hunter. arrived in the city yes.
terday after six months stay In the
Philippines and is registered at the
Auditorium Annex"
Capt Fitzhugh Graham" said
Clarke TO the clerk at the desk. ten.
dering our cards
The captain hastily cleared two
chairs for u.s. "Mr. Clarke | under
stand then is a fancier OF orchids" he
said as his eyes wandered inquiringly
from one to the other of us.
The captain hung over the back of
his chair with boredom written on his
face. There was no flaw In his acting,
IL acting II was. as he carelessly re.
piled:
You have been well informed. Mr..
Clarke. but ! regret to say that the
Odontoglossum stood the trip badly.
as you know they nearly always do.
IL was not such a specimen as / would
care to offer. In fact had deter.
mined not to spoil Hoppington's col.
lection with II. even II he had not been
murdered, and this morning | had the
slavey throw II out II that is all YOU
will kindly excuse me and will CON
tinue my packing as | am leaving for
London this afternoon"
Clarke glanced quickly from Graham
to me. and | thought detected warn.
Ing In his eyes. The captain watched
him with apparent nonchalance. but
there was something In his attitude
which suggested the crouch OF a tiger
ready for the leap.
And so the servants threw the
odontoglossum outY How sad. do
not believe there are two specimens
In Chicago"
Clarke suddenly reached over and
threw open the door OF the humidor
Within there was an orchid OF sur.
passing beauty.
Yes. there are three. and Captain
Graham, you have lied"
The metamorphosis to the tiger was
sudden and complete. Full half the
length OF the room the captain leaned
knocking over two chairs In his flight
through the air. while his long sinewv
fingers closed around the throat Of
Clarke. IL WAS so sudden that scarce.
ly seemed able to gather the Thought
necessary to bring my finger TO the
trigger OF the revolver In my rocket
As soon as | saw Clarke's hand go
up and encircle the captains straipIng
wrist ! recognized one OF Clarke's IN.
vorite tricks OF jlu jitsue. A look of
intense pain crossed the captain's
face, the arm became nerveless and
In a moment more his huge bulk of n
body swung around and Clarke bore n
easily and gently 10 the floor then
reaching for the other hand. clicked ON
the beautiful little pair OF nickel.steeI
handouts. dainty as lady's bracelet
that he always carried IN his hin
pocket.
Then the coming OF the chief re.
lieved a situation that was becoming
tense.
Captain Graham stood baughtlly at
the door waiting the chiefs win.
Whatever battle had been raging IN his
mind evidently had ended In mastery,
for he quietly interprosed
Mr.. Clarke. ask that you take no
further steps. II is useless. | alone
am guilty At the proper time will
tell ALL
Clarke. Clarke, I've got her" / al.
most shouted, thrusting the paper at
him.
The Item was under the head OF
Society Notes and read Among the !
occupants of the boxes at the perform. |
ance OF Aida by the Metropolitan
Grand Opera company at the Auditor.
lum last night were Captain FItzhugh |
Graham and Countess Evelyn scrym- |
gour OF London"
Quick, telephone" ordered Clarke.
and the obsequious waiter set an in
strument on the table and ca Injected II |
with the wall switch. He soon had my |
old newspaper office and asked fer the |
society editor.
Here" he said, handing me the re.
ceiver. ASK her where the countess
Is staying"
The Victorian, J believe" came the
answer.
1t was only a step away and We paid |