The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-03-18


There was something refreshing in
Hartmore, who recognized the typical
American girl. smiled for the first
time in months. AS for the young
lord, he folded his fiancee in his arms.
Miss Dorothy spent several hours
one morning with Lady Hartmore,
notebook and pencil in hand, asking
innumerable questions and noting the
replies. Then she asked to be intro
duced to Stanwood Berks. He was In
vited to dinner. Dorothy when the
function was over said she didn't like
him.
The Hartmores went to their home
in the country, and Dorothy remained
in London. What she did there she
kept to herself. After awhile she
wrote Lady Hartmore that she and
her mother were going to follow out
their itinerary In trip to Scotland.
The Hartmores had relatives in Edin-
burgh, and Dorothy asked for letter
Of introduction to them. The letter
was sent, and Dorothy went to Scot
land. There she chatted glibly with
the branch Of the Hartmore family to
whom she had been introduced and
when she departed was spoken Of as
''that inquisitive American"
Lord William was to meet Dorothy
In London. and Dorothy wrote him to
bring the blank certificate Of his moth
er's marriage with him. When he ar
rived he asked her what she intended
to do with 1t. She put her head on one
side and, looking at him saucily. said
"Don't you wish you knew?"
but surely you will tell me, your
6ance."
"Do real detectives go about telling
people of their clews?"
Il won't tell any one"
Certainly not. because you won't
know. They say woman can't keep
secret. but a woman detective must
He got no satisfaction and was
obliged to content himself with the
part of lover, leaving whatever was
serious to his american girl" as he
called her.
One morning MIR. Stanwood Berks
received letter from Miss Dorothy
that sent him to London posthaste.
| and he was closeted with the young
lady for an hour. What transpired be-
tween him and her she kept to herself
| with all the rest of the moves she was
making. When Mr.. Berks returned
and again met his cousins. the Hart
mores. he was very much changed.
He had aged ten years. He was silent,
| \ l,<1 oil 81,
ial in him. He got away from them as
soon as possible.
Dorothy's last move had been made.
and she was ready to report results.
She wrote that II convenient for Lady
Hartmore she would spend few days
with them. when she would have
something of Importance to communi-
cate. Lady Hartmore responded ia
vorably. and one morning the detec.
tive appeared. Gathering the earl, his
wife and their son in room and lock-
ing the door, she said to them:
1--WE worked it all out"
i what have you worked out?" asked
the countess.
"How did you do it?" asked Lord
William.
Come. tell u.s." said the earl impa.
tiently:
"Well, you know. got lot of in.
formation before ! started in from
you. Lady Hartmore. consulted law.
yers and found out all about the
marriage laws in your country. Some.
thing learned put me in mind OF
your visit to Scotland soon after your
marriage. so, as you know, went
there. met lot of people who re
membered your visit and asked many
questions. They called me the inquisi
tive American. Wasn't it funny? Al
last | found an old friend of yours
Lord Hartmore. to whom you intro
duced Lady Hartmore as your wife
That, according to the Scotch laws
made her your legal wife"
) Upon my word. you are right" ex
claimed the earl. delighted. "Wht
was the manY'
John Murchison. classmate O
yours at Oxford"
;. John Murchison! Will he swear it?
"Here is his affidavit"
While the earl read the paper Their
:. was a triangular embrace among tn
others; then Dorothy continued:
''You know, didu't like Mr.. Berk
and got an idea that he had tampere'
with the marriage certificate. state
: the case to chemists. and one Of Their
!. told me that certain-here 1t is,
:. drawing slip Of paper-"solution 0
iodide of starch when used for writ
:, ing appears much the same as ord
nary ink. but completely disappears i
the course of few weeks. and nott
- ing will restore 1t. Having learne
from you that Mr.. Berks had take
= the clergyman after the wedding to
desk Of his own choosing on which t
:" fill out the certificate. concluded tlla
he had filed the inkstand with thi
y iodide Of starch. ! asked the chemis
II 1t would leave any trace. and b
said 1t would. ? took your certificat
v to him. He tested it and found trace
le Of what expected"
8 Dorothy was interrupted here by e:
- CARNATIONS Of surprise and indignatio
~ and on the part of the earl one {
= mingled pain and sorrow.
AZ Il sent for Mr.. Berks," continue
~ Dorothy. "and showed him what ha
y DONE On my promise to tell this to I
CT one but you three and to pledge 'yc
not to prosecute him he signed th
~ confession
We ySo,,.. ,,od ,,loldo<1 Or, thu <or,pfo ito