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

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among the countless
cases In which have
'x107, been associated with
Nxxu Carlton Clarke the one
vNzzx2NxcD that will best make a
story. At the time OF
which this story deals his fame as an
untangler OF mysteries had gone far
and wide and our Oak street quarters
often presented regular procession
OF clients as early and as late as
Clarke was willing to receive them.
Many OF my readers doubtless will
recall when the city was shocked by
the mysterious murder OF the Honor
able Algernon Sydney Hoppington.
Such was the sensation at the time
that II seems almost unnecessary now
to go into the details The crime, for
crime II was upon the face, was dis
covered about four o'clock I'm the
morning. and so great was the figure
that the Honorable Algernon Sydney
had cut during his three years resi-
dence In Chicago. where he had come
from England TO claim the fortune
running well into the millions gra-
ciously founded there by great.
uncle, that the newspapers held on
their entire mechanical force for
doublecolumn extra.
| opened the door to admit our old
friend. late Inspector, now Chief,
Ship. Il was not his first call at
our humble quarters. for he had long
since discovered where to come for
| quiet tip that demanded none of the
Official credit In return, and many a
stubborn case had he laid before
| Clarke.
We had him back into the dining
room. Clarke merely nodded and con-
tinued to sip his coffee and pun at his
cigarette. while he watched the chief
and waited for him to speak.
well, Mr.. Wizard, suppose you
know what I'm here for before tell
YOU" began the chief.
yes | should say It is the Hop
pington case. | am afraid win have
20 revise the estimate of the affair
was just delivering to MIR. Sexton,
here. Not so simple as II looked then.
Tell us about Il. Haven't the servants
put you on the right track?'
mot within thousand miles OF the
track. They don't know anything.
Hoppington was writing in his library
at eleven o'clock. He called the but.
ler Blfiin, to get him bottle OF wine.
Half an hour later he came out TO the
dining room, where Bifin was with
Bryson, the other man servant, and
handed them the bottle one-fourth full
and told them to finish It. They did
and that is the last they remember.
Dragged. | suppose. have the bottle
with the few drops that were left and
will have them analysed. The three
maids had been entertaining company,
some OF my men. II appears, In the
kitchen. They had just let them out
the back way and had gone into the
buffers pantry 10 get bite to eat be-
fore going up TO bed when the door
slammed and they heard the bolt shot
and they we're locked In. About an
hour afterward. as near as I can
gather from their hysterlcai memory
OF what happened. they heard pierre
ing female scream ring through the
house
And look herel Found Il on the
lower step Of the stoop." and the chief
drew from his pocket a bundle and on
unrc Hing II displayed a tiny white
satin slipper d No. A. II was liter
ally soaked In blood.
"A vomans work. you think?
queried Clarke
AT the Hoppington number we found
one OF those square red stone man.
sions typical OF the period immediate
ly following the fire.
"Ah he was fancier OF orchids, /
see" remarked Clarke.
"Humph" snorted the chief "Pm
sure ! don't know what you are talk.
Ing about, but II you're looking for
clews there are the knife and the slip.
per. that are worth more than all your
old orchids put together for my pur-
poses"
Once out of the house Clarke ex.
claimed:
Quick. Sexton. cab. Wen beat
the chief az that little game"
hniled passing hanson and
Clarke directed the driver to get to the
Auditorium hotel in tae quickest pos.
sible time
And can you really lay your hands
on the couple within an hour?"
oh, OF course IL is always wen TO
make these things strong when talk.
Ing to one of the chiefs caliber, but
here Is the case as | see It. II may
need several reyisings before we come
TO the end. admit. when confronted
with the evidence OF the knife through
the table. the blood,stained slipper and
the mysterious telephone call. 10 say
nothing OF the drugged wine and the
servants carefully rendered hors de
combat, ! couldn't see ray of light
from them. II was evident Hopping.
ton had been entertaining man and
q woman; that either he disposed OF
the servants himself In order TO carry