The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-03-01

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the five years since he was
last in New York. Down the Row few of
the squat structures facing the Post-ofice had
given way to the inevitable sky-scraper, the
Bridge had shot out solid extension almost
into the Park itself, the well-remembered
"Tribune building had climbed bit nearer
to the clouds, the Hall looked trile less
grimy than Of old. Otherwise, everything
was pleasantly familiar.
Moving leisurely onward he again stopped
at the Bridge entrance to the Subway for
another look at the scene that had so often
fascinated him in the days when he was him
self one of the workers on Newspaper Row
Then he heard his name called.
"Hello, Howard Oh, l say, Howard
Kingston! Where did you drop FROM"
Turning he met the outstretched hand of
young man, almost as tall as himself. square
shouldered, clear-eyed, and in his face the
ruddy glow of the athlete. Kingston smiled
recognition.
"Back from London Yesterday" said he,
"and always glad to see an old friend. But
what brings you to New York, Dick Will
loughby? They told me at the club last night
that you were buried somewhere in the coun-
try, practising strokes to win back that lost
golf championship"
Willoughby's eyes twinkled.
81 got good beating, all right" he &C
knowledged. "two down at the turn, and I'd
hate to say how many when the game was fin
ished didn't think Sloane had it in him
either. But COLTS the least of my troubles
nowadays"
What is it now? Football? Working
out new play to help Harvard get the mas
terry of Yale? l suppose you are booked to
coach as usual?"
"Well, perhaps Ill go up to Cambridge for
week-but no longer. I'm in business now,
and really working As for yourself"
"Still travelling, my dear Dick, travelling
and studying I've been in good many
parts Of the world, seen not a few strange
things, and learned little, though very little
after all. If live
There came into his eyes far-away, serious
expression.
''Seems to me" said Willoughby, "you've
learned vast DEAL l remember something
in the papers while ago about discoveries
you made with regard to the religion of the
ancient Maoris-or was it Hottentots? And
l noticed an editorial praising your contribu-
tons to the science of psychopathology-
jaw-breaking word! Not doing any detective
work now, are you'"
"Any what?"
Detective work? I'll never forget the way
you handled that Rutledge mystery when you
were on the World. Reason ask" and his
tone became grave, "is because l am very
much in need of detective myself just now.
Fact is, I'm in New York to secure one"
Explain"
"Can't here. It's too long story Come
down to my quarters, and I'll tell you all
about it. Perhaps you can help me, old man.
know you will if you can"
Ten minutes later the two friends were
seated together in richly appointed Office far
above the din of Broadway. Kingston,
lounging comfortably in deep armchair,
listened with an impassive countenance while
the younger man, leaning forward, spoke hur-
riedly and earnestly.
cts this way. My father, you know, is
like myself intensely fond of outdoor life. He
has place in the Catskills, and every once in
while we run up there for few days of golf,
tennis, mountain climbing, and all that sort of
thing. We've been there nearly week now,
with half-a-dozen friends, and were having a
capital time until, day before yesterday, the
governor found this on his writing table,
Willoughby fumbled in an inside pocket,
drew out several envelopes, selected one, and
passed it to Kingston.
"You see it's written in lead pencil, and ad-
dressed simply to George Willoughby. But
read what it contains"
A single sheet of letter paper was in the en-
velop, scrawled across with the words:
Italians made your money for you, and now Ital-
lans must have some OF it. When you go to dinner
tonight leave $1,000 in gold in bag this table.
And leave the window open. Take warning and
obey.
THE BLACK HAND.
Kingston looked up, a slight smile playing
about the corners Of his lips.
Sounds like joke, doesn't it ?" said VIII
loughby. "but can assure you it was no joke.
The governor sent for me, read it, and we
talked the situation over. He is railway
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