The Virginia enterprise., 1909-10-08
Soul off I { the Blue Bokhara
C=7 By FRANK LOWELL NELSON G-"7
One of Carlton Clarkes Solutions


daughter and Ranleigh Harcamp were
the first upon the scene of the murder.
We became connected with the case
through my acquaintance with Col
Inns, friend Of my youth and one OF
the best reporters in Manhattan.
Clarke and I were discussing. the
strange mystery which had grown out
Of the case.
A knock on the door put an end to
our conversation. It was Collins, to
whom had giyen q quiet tip to stay
with us through the case.
Another knock followed almost i'm
mediately, and admitted Ranleigh
Ha:camp, whose face showed the first
smile |; had seen him give when he
rel'tol the ease with which he had
e1M!cd Clancy's shadows.
We drew our chairs up to the table
from which the maid had removed the
breakfast tray and Harcamp's face
again saddened as the conversation
earned to the one great topic, the trag
edy Of the night.
Now, Mr.. Harcamp," began Clarke,
= W.ct You to tell us exactly what
hap! one:l last night"
II cannut,' said Ilarcamp, between
So tpriil
"'rhan l will have to tell you. Sit
t!O%n, Mr. lIarcamp.'
fiarcanp' had risen with an angry
;:**>ji,,>, hut he sank into his chair
.:"":n. fascinated under the battery of
<'la:! piercing eyes.
"I%i:rn YOU and Miss Drcxlau re-
t1unl.! fro;n the theater," continued
<, ,N', "Nr. DrcXlau met you and a
:::'..'':.: ecvnc occurred. Is that right?"
"lcs; l s..pposc Fogarty has told
iu,'.
Miss Dl leN'a,l. at her fathers orders.
t!"",iE Went TO her room in tears"
- SEQ b. the papers Togarty was
,2v>'s'. .... ling commented lIarcamD.
.!>:n YOU and MI. DrcXlau cooled
,.,Wn. lEc suggested that you go into
i:.> billiard room and amusc yourself
N':i'~ I've sm::!:rd a cigar, and maybe
81 ,.vu11 both see things in diff
il l,i,a" Icing some difficult mlasse
Shot anil stayed for some time
How III the name Of heaven do you
know all that?"
"Very simple. Balls carefully
placed in line along the side rail, tip
Of cue badly damaged, your fingers
covered with chalk. You were just
about to attempt the shot after repeat
ed failures when you heard Mr.. Drex-
lau fall. You rushed into the hall
and saw fleeing up the stairs"
Harcamp rose with clenched fists
and white face. stop; you lie! No
man on Gods earth knows whom
saw"
"Ha, I thought I was right. You
saw Miss Drexlau."
Harcamp groaned and buried his
face in his hands. "She didn't do it.
She didn't do it. o. why didn't
confess to it and save her?"
Clarke went over and laid hand
on his shoulder Nov, brace up,
Harcamp," he said. 1T may not be
as bad as you think. There is one
thing that may save her."
"Tell me, for Gods sake!" moaned
Harcamp.
THE blue Bokhara," answered
Clarke
Just then messenger arrived with
telegram. It was for Clarke and he
tore it open feverishiy. AS he read his
face broke into smile of triumph.
AT last can act" he cried. "Quick.
Mr.. Collins, call cab. You know the
nearest stands. Mr.. Harcamp, we
will save her.
Collins was soon at the door with a
carriage. Clarke gave the driver his
directions, and we all got in.
Where are we bound for!" I
asked.
I'VE are in pursuit OF the blue Box
hara," was all that Clarke would vouch-
safe.
We drew up before a large store in
Broadway devoted exclusively to orien-
tai rugs, and hurried in.
did you ever see Blue Bokhara?"
asked Clarke Of the proprietor.
YES" he replied, but we haven't
one. In fact l never saw but one 1
believed was genuine, and that didn't
bring very good luck to the man that
bought 1t, for I hear he's just been
murdered"
"Yes, yes, that's the one!" said
Clarke, exultantly.
did he get it here?"
mo, he didn't. He picked it up
from a small dealer, but there was
considerable talk about it among rug
men, and 1 went around to see it. I've
seen many so.called blue Bokharas
but never one like this. It was the
softest shade of blue and Of the finest
wool mixed with silk. The sheen was
perfect"
"Yes, yes," interrupted Clarke; "but
can you tell me the name Of the shop
that sold it," --~>
certainly: 1t was Agnossis, on
lower Washington street; but he
hasn't anything like It. Let me show
you some particularly fine Bokharas
l have justttmported."
But we were gone on our way to
Agnossi's before he recovered from his
surprise, I suspect. ,~,~
Agnossi was q ,dark-eyed Armenian
who kept a small stock. He was
proud of having. sold tho most wonder
ftlf rug In New York; proud Of having
known the murdered man and anxious
to tell all about both. ----
but while 1t was in your hands did
You repair IT." asked Clarke, inter
ruptinR his flow of description. -e~s