Willmar tribune., 1909-03-17
- ARLTON CLARKE and
./T\. y were in New York; knew
aV.1.W not why-at the time Col.
MM James Watson Dcexlau, an
NSL,af immensely wealthy New

through my acquaintance with Col
Inns, friend of my youth and one of
the best reporters in Manhattan.
Clarke and | were discussing the
strange mystery which had grown out
Of the case
A knock on the door put an end to
our conversation. 1t was Collins, to
whom l had given a quiet tip to stay
with us through the case.
Another knock followed almost i'm.
mediately, and l admitted Ranleigh
Harcamp, whose face showed the first
smile | had seen him give when he
related the ease with which he had
eluded Clancys 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
turned to the one great topic, the trag-
edy Of the night.
Now, Mr.. Harcamp," began Clarke,
4 want you to tell us exactly what
happened last night
Il cannot said Harcamp, between
set teeth.
Then l will have to tell you. Sit
down, Mr.. Harcamp."
Harcamp had risen with an angry
gesture, but he sank into his chair
again, fascinated under the battery of
Clarle's piercing eyes.
When you and Miss Drexlau re-
turned from the theater," continued
Clarke, Mr. Drexlau met you and a
violent scene occurred. Is that right?"
Yes; l suppose Fogarty has told
YOU
Miss DreXlau at her fathers orders,
finally went to her room in tears
Il see by the papers Fogarty was
eavesdropping," commented Harcamp.
Then you and Mr.. Drexlau cooled
down. He suggested that you go into
the billiard room and amuse yourself
while he smoked a cigar, and maybe
you would both see things in a diff
ferent light. You became interested
In practicing some difficult masse
shot and stayed for some time"
How in 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 l
saw"
"Ha, 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 a hand
on his shoulder. "Now, brace up
Farcamp," 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 a messenger arrived with
telegram. 1t was for Clarke and he
tore it open feverishiy AS he read his
face broke into smile OF triumph.
AT last l 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?"
asked.
I'VE are in pursuit OF the blue Box
hara," was all that Clarke would vouch
safe.
We drew up before large store i1
Broadway devoted exclusively to orien
tai rugs, and hurried in.
Did you ever see Blue Bokhara? p
asked Clarke of the proprietor.
Yes he replied, "but we haven,
one. In fact l never saw but one
believed was genuine, and that didn',
bring very good luck to the man tina,
bought it, for hear he's just beer
murdered"
"Yes, yes, that's the one!" said
Clarke exultantly.
did he get it here?"
mo, he didn't. He picked it ur
from a small dealer, but there was
considerable talk about it among rue
men, and 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 wal
perfect"
Yes, yes,' interrupted Clarke; but
can you tell me the name of the shoI
that sold it,"
"Certainly; it was Agnossi's, on
lower Washington street; but he
hasn't anything like it. Let me show
you some particularly fine Bokharas
l hare just imported"
But we were gone on our way to
Agnossi's before he recovered from his
surprise, l suspect.
Agnossi was a dark-eyed Armenian
who kept small stock. He was
proud of having sold the most wonder.
full rug in New York, proud of having
known the murdered man and anxious
to tell all about both.
But while it was in your hands did
you repair it?" asked Clarke, inter.
rupting his flow of description.
"Oh, no. gentlemen, it was perfect,
perfect. l have been dealing in rugs
al ~,1y lfo o~I