davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08

safe was not blown! 1t was closed
and locked, exactly as had left it,"
Mr.. Grimm was idly twisting the seal
ring on his little finger.
"Just as left i'll" Senior Rodriguez
repeated excitedly. Last night after
| locked the safe door l tried 1t to
make certain that 1t was locked. /
happened to notice then that the
pointer on the dial had stopped pre-
cisely at number forty-fve. This
morning, when l unlocked the safe
and, Of course, didn't know then that
the money had been taken-the point
er was still at number forty-five."
He paused with one hand in the air:
Mr.. Grimm continued to twist the seal
ring
1T was all like-like some trick on
the stage" the minister went on,
like the magician's disappearing lady.
or-or-! It was as though l had not
put the money into the safe at ALI"
did your" inquired Mr.. Grimm ami
ably.
did II" blazed Senior Rodriguez.
why, Senior! I did!" he concluded
meekly
Mr.. Grimm believed him.
who else knows the combination
OF the safer" he queried.
No one. Senor-not living soul"
Your secretary, for instance?'
Not even my secretary"
Some servant-seme member Of
your family?'
Il tell you, Senior, not one person
in all the world knew that combina-
ton except myself" Senior Rodriguez
insisted.
Your secretary--a servant-some
member Of your family might have
seen you unlock the safe some time,
and thus learned the combinations"
Senior Rodriguez did not quite know
whether to be annoyed at Mr.. Grimm's
persistence. or to admire the tenacity
with which he held to this one point.
You must understand, Senior
Grimm. that many state documents
are kept in the SAFE" he said finally,
therefore It is not advisable that any
one should know the combination. l
have made 1t an absolute rule, as did
my predecessors here, never to IN
lock the safe in the presence of an
other person"
State documents" Mr.. Grimm's
lips silently repeated the words. Then
aloud: Perhaps there's a record of
the combination somewhere? II you
had died suddenly, for instance, how
would the safe have been openedT
There would have been only one
way, Senor-blow 1t open. There is
no record"
We'll. II we accept all that as true"
observed Mr.. Grimm musingly, ut
would seem that you either didn't put
the money into the safe at all, or
please sit down, there's nothing per-
sonal in this-or else the money was
taken out Of the safe without It being
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER I-Count di Rosini, the Itai-
Ian ambassador, is at dinner with diplo-
mats In the national capital when mes
eenser brings a note directing him to
come to the embassy at once. He obeys
end meets a beautiful young woman who
{nIorms him that she wishes him to OBJ
She hands him a sealed note; he reads 1t
And assents. asking her in what name
the card shall be made out. She declares
she has no name, and he suggests one
the name Isabel Thorne being agreed up
on.
CHAPTER II-whlle Miss Isabel
Thorne was awaiting her card to the dip
lomatic ball, Chief Campbell of the secret
service, and Mr.. Grimm. his head detec-
tive. are warned that plot OF the Latin
races against the English speaking races
Is brewing in Washington among the for
sagn ENJOYS.
CHAPTER III-Grimm goes TO the state
ball In his quest for information. In a
eonservatory his attention is called to a
beautifully dressed lady who he learns Is
Miss Isabel Thorne. Grimm goes for an
Ice for his companion. the Senorits Rod
Tiguez Miss Thorne and her companion
the conservatory he finds it deserted.
Just then revolver shot startles the
president and his guests, and Campbell
ana Grimm hasten to room down the
hall to md that Senior Alvarez OF the
Mexican legation, has been shot. wo-
man ala II and fed, they learn.
CHAPTER y-Grimm is assured that
Miss Thorne shot Senior Alvarez and that
q man helped her to escape.
CHAPTER VI-The secret service men
discover that Senior Alvarez was robbed
or a paper. Grimm visits Miss Thorne
and she admits that she saw the shooting
and carried away the revolver and fed
TO shield the real culprit. Grimm demands
the name OF the man. the stolen paper
and the revolver. A man suddenly steps
Into the room with a revolver. He states
that he did the shooting. that he Is
secret agent OF the Italian government
and that his name Is Pietro Petrozinnl.
He L 49, .-ndcr arrest
AT mteTt 81 IN winch ADMIRATION, even,
played a part
Your name?" he asked finally.
"Pietro Petrozinni," was the ready
reply AS say, l accept all respon.
sibility."
A few minutes later Mr.. Grimm and
his prisoner passed out of the legation
side by side. and strolled down the
street together, in amicable conYersa.
ton. Half an hour later Senior Al
varez identified Pietro Petrozinni as
the man who shot him; and the maid
servant expressed a belief that he was
the man who slammed the door in her
face.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08
CHAPTER TX.
Fifty Thousand Dollars.

Mr.. Campbell was talking.
For several months past" he said,
the International Investment Com
pany, through its representative, Mr..
Cressy, has been secretly negotiating
with Senior Rodriguez for certain as
phalt properties In Venezuela. Three
days ago these negotiations were sue
cessfully concluded, and yesterday aft
ernoon Mr.. Greasy. in secret, paid to
Senior Rodriguez, fifty thousand dol
lars In American gold, the first OF
four payments of similar sums. This
gold was to have been shipped to Phil
adelphia by express to-day to catch a
steamer for Venezuela"
Mr.. Grimm nodded.
THE fact that this gold was In
Senior Rodiguez's possession could not
have been known to more than half
a dozen persons. rs the negotiations
throughout have been in strict Sc
crecy," and Mr.. Campbell smiled be-
nignly so much! Now, Senior Rod
riguez has just telephoned asking that
| send a man to the legation at once.
The gold was kept there over night
or perhaps l should say that the senior
intended to keer II there ever night"
Mr.. Campbell stared at Mr.. Grimm for
a moment, then: Miss Thorne, you
know, Is guest at the legation, that
is why am referring the matter to
YOU"
Il understand" said Mr.. Grimm.
And ten minutes later. Mr.. Grimm
presented himself to Senior Rodriguez.
The minister from Venezuela, bub-
bling with excitement was pacing
forth and back across his office. ruff
fling his gray-black hair with nervous,
twining fingers. Mr.. Grimm sat down.
"Senor." he inquired placidly. "fifty
thousand dollars in gold would weigh
nearly two hundred pounds, wouldn't
it?"
Senior Rodriguss stared at him
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08
CHAPTER VII.
The Signal.


And the original question remains
unanswered remarked Mr.. Campbell
The original question:" repeated
Mr.. Grimm.
Where is Prince Benedetto Abruz.
a. the secret envoy?" his chief re.
minded him.
Il wonder!" unused the young man.
III the Latin compaSt Is signed in
the United States-?"
THE Latin compact will not be
signed in the United States Mr..
Grimm interrupted. And then, after
O moment: Have we received any
further reports on Miss Thorne? I
mean reports from our foreign
agentsT
The chief shook his head
Inevitably, by some act or word,
she will lead us TO the prince, de-
clared Mr. Grimm, and the moment
he Is known to lis everything be-
comss plain sailing We know she is
secret agent expected a denial,
but she was quite frank about It. And
| lad 10 intention whatever OF placing
her under arrest. knew some one
was in the adjoining room because OF
q slight noise in there, and | knew
she knew II, She raised her voice a
little, obviously for the benefit OF
whoever was there From that point
everything | said and did was to com
pei that person, whoever it was, to
show himself"
His chief nodded, Understandings
Mr.. Grimm was silent for little, then
went on:
THE last possibility in my mind at
that moment" he confessed, was that
the person in there was the man VINO
shot Senior Alvarez. Frankly | had
half an idea that--that it might be the
prince in person" Suddenly his mood
changed: And now our lady OF mys-
terry may come and go as she likes be-
cause ! know, even if dozen OF our
men have ransacked Washington IN
vain for the prince, she will inevitably
lead us to him And that reminds me:
/ should like to borrow Blair, and
Hastings, and Johnson. Please plant
them so they may keep constant
watch on Miss Thorne. Let them re-
port to you, and. wherever ! am, | VIII
reach you over the phone"
by the way, what was in that seal
ed packet that was taken from Senior
Alvarez Campbell inquired curiously,
st had something to do with some
railroad franchises" responded MI.
Grimm as he rose. 81 sealed II again
and returned 1t to the senior. Evident
~ 1t was not wha, Signor PetroZinni
expected to flnd-in fact, he admitted
Il wasn't what he was looking FOR.
For little while the two men gazed
thoughtfully, each into the eyes oil the
other, then Mr.. Grimm entered his
private office where he sat for an hour
with his immaculate boots on his
desk, thinking. A world-war-he had
been thrust forward by his govern
ment to prevent it-subtle blue-gray
eyes-his Highness, Prince Benedetto
d'Abruzzi--a haunting smile and scar
lot lips.
At about the moment he rose to 20
put Miss .Thorne. closely yelled '=S1
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08
CHAPTER VIII.
Miss Thorne and Not Miss Thorne

Miss Thorne and Not Miss Thorne.
From a pleasant, wide-oren bay-win-
dow of her apartments on the second
floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon
the avenue with inscrutable eyes. Be
hind the closely drawn shutters of an
other bay-window, farther down the
avenue, on the corner, she knew a
man named Hastings was hiding; she
knew that for an hour or more he had
been watching her as she wrote. In
he other direction, in a house near
the corner, another man named Blair
was similarly ensconced, and he, too,
had been watching as she wrote. There
should be a third man. Johnson. Miss
Thorne curiously studied the face of
each passer-by, seeking therein some
hing to remember.
She sat at the little mahogany desk
and note with the ink yet wet upon
it lay face up before her. 1t was ad.
dressed to Signor Pietro Petrozinni In
the district prison. and read:
MY Dear Friend;
Il have been waiting to write you
with the hope that l could report
Senior Alvarez out Of danger but his
condition I regret to say. remains I'M
changed Shall send an attorney to
you? Would you like book Of any
kind? Or some delicacy sent in from
a restaurant? Can l be of any service
TO you in any way? II | can please
drop me line.
Sincerely,
ISABEL THORNE."
AT last she rose and standing In the
window read the note over, folded it,
placed 1t in an envelope and sealed 1t.
maid came In answer to her ring,
and there at the window, under the
watchful eyes of Blair and Hastings
and, perhaps, Johnson-she handed
the note to the maid with instructions
to mail 1t Immediately. Two minutes
later she saw the maid go out along
the avenue to a post-box on the cor.
ner.
Then she drew back into the shad-
ow of the room, slipped on a dark-col-
CiSu wrap, duu, Stduuiu6 away iiOhi
the window, safe beyond the reach of
pry.ns eyes, waited patiently FOL the
postman. He appeared about Ave
o'clock and simultaneously another
man turned the corner near the post
box and spoke to him. Then, togeth.
er. they disappeared from view around
the corner.
so that's Johnson. Is it?" unused
Miss Thorne, and she smiled little.
Mr.. Grimm certainly pays me the
compliment Of having me carefully
watched"
A few minutes later she dropped
into the seat at the desk again. The
dark wrap had been thrown aside and
Hastings and Blair from their hiding
places could see her distinctly. After
q while they saw her rise quickly, as
an automobile turuAd infn the avenue.
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08


,ini6cKeu. RMS last wouIu nave peen
a miracle, and this is not the day OF
miracles. therefore,"
Mr.. Grimm's we'll modulated voice
trailed off into silence. Senior Rodrl-
guez came to his feet with blaze OF
anger in his eyes; Mr.. Grimm was
watching him curiously
II understand, Senior" said the min
lister deliberately, that you believe
that I-s-!"
81 believe that you have told the
TRUTH interrupted Mr.. Grimm placid
ly, that is the truth so far as you
know It. But you have stated one
thing in error Somebody besides your
self does know the combination.
Whether they knew 1t or not at this
time yesterday l can't say, but some
body knows 1t now"
Senior Rodriguez drew a deep breath
of relief The implied accusation had
been withdrawn as pleasantly and
frankly as 1t had been put forward
Il ran across chap in New York
once. for instance" Mr.. Grimm took
the trouble to explain, who could un-
lock any safe-that is, any safe of the
kind used at that time-twelve or
fourteen years ago. So you see.
doubt II he would be so successful
with the new models, with all their
improvements, but then! You know
he would have made an ideal burglar,
that chap. Now, Senior, who lives here
in the legation with your"
my secretary, Senior Diaz. my
daughter Inez, and just at the mo-
ment, a Miss Thorne-Miss Isabel
Thorne," the senior informed him
Also four servants-two men and two
women"
I've had the pleasure of meeting
your daughter and Miss Thorne," Mr.
Grimm informed him. Now, suppose
we take look at the safe?"
Certainly"
closed door just as there came tim
i'd knock from the hail. He glanced
at Mr.. Grimm, who nodded, then he
called:
Come in!"
The door opened, and Miss Thorne
entered. She was clad in some filmy.
gossamer-like morning gown with her
radiant hair caught upon her white
neck. At sight Of Mr. Grimm the blue
gray eyes opened as If in surprise,
and she paused irresolutely
Il beg your pardon, Senor," she
said, addressing the diplomatist. 81
did not know you were engaged. And
Mr.. Grimm!" She extended slim,
white hand, and the young man bowed
low over It, 1--WE are old friends" she
explained, smilingly, to the minister.
Then Il think I must have dropped
my handkerchief when | was in here
yesterday with Inez. Perhaps you
found it?"
Isl, Senorita," replied Senior Rod
riguez gallantly 1T is on my desk
In here. Just moment"
He opened the door and passed into
the adjoining room. Mr.. Grimm's
eyes met those of Miss Isabel Thorne.
and there was no listlessness in them
now, only interest. She smiled at him
5.
Rodriguez appeared from the other
room with the handkerchief.
NIL gracias, Senior" she thanked
him.
No hay de que, Senorita," he re-
turned, as he opened the door for her.
Monsieur Grimm, au revoirl" She
dropped little curtsey, and still smil-
ing, went out.
She Is charming, Senor," the diplo-
matist assured him enthusiastically,
albeit irrelevantly. Such vivacity.
such personality, such-such-she Is
charming"
THE safe, please" Mr. Grimm re-
minded him.
Ito be continued.)
The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-03-08

On the morning Of the second day
following, Senior Rodriguez, the min
ster from Venezuela. reported to the
Secret Service Bureau the disappear
ance of fifty-thousand dollars in gold
from a safe in his private Office at the
legation.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02

ing In the Nome Nugget Mrs. Daven- ports statement published by you at her request. If one can be pleased at all over such a very sad occurrence I lm glad to know it is the unquestioned judgment of the post physician that rho lieutenant met his death from freezing after extreme exhaustion. and that there is no possibility his death oc- cured through ptomaine poisoning or rom any other unnatural cause.
 The physicians statement that ptD- maine poisoning does not develop m side of about ten hours. is of course convincing against that having occur red in this instance. and this is further substantiated by the fact that Mrs Davenport ate the same food daco3 sel did that morning and was not affected It is manifest that she having moat,y sat in the sled without exercise and hence, not perspiring, is what saved her. and in spite of the very greet hardships endured. she evidently cx- ercised splendid sense in he- trip in the early morning to the roadhpuse in not exercising to the extent f over precipitation.
 I have learned from othe" sources that the lieutenant unfortunately was clad too heavily. having had on many pairs of socks and very heavy und.r and over clothing so that the great exertion of following and i ling tie sled through the snow and breaking the trail ahead of the dogs resulted Tn copious precipitation. SD that the awful blizzard and the extreme cold, froze his underclothing and socks. This of course brought on the characteristic pre- freezing. comatose and morbidly drowsy and lethargie condition of a desire in tho victim to lie down. rest or go to sIee?.
 His death Is indeed extremely unfor- tunate and is universally regretted. but, as stated, I am glad the matter is thoroughly understood, and therefore. there will ho n" necessity of holding any inquest Very truly yours.
 B. s. RODEY.
 Y. s. Attorney.
 II will be noticed that the post phy- sician stated in his report to Col. Van Vliet that he had examined the bo !y externally"
 With all due acknowledgement Of the ethics of "the" profession, there are some skeptical people who believe that a body must be examined internally as well as externally before it can be fin- ally ascertained whether one has died as the result of ptomaine poisoning or
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
RACE TO BE
 RUN SUNDAY
SEVEAL NEW TEAMS WILL COM
 PETE FOR HoNoRS.

Following Is list of entries for next sundays dog race. which win be run over the same course which was us,d hy the reindeer drivers. The entry breaking the time record established 5' the reindeer will he pIesentd w,u Ses. In the event thar :nor. than one h! ..i,- The record the one making the fastest time will win the prize. The race will start al 2 o'clock from the foot of Lanes way. Following are the names of the owners and drivers of the teams already entered. CJSe nm. self. Allan and Darling Allan C. Johnson self. Arthur Jett. Split the Wind: Oliver and Kirk Kirk: and SI Warran. Grre Rose.
 Thera win be no entrance r,c rharg- sd the contestants
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
NOVELTIES WHISTLE
 WITH COMBINATION

IT one happened to drop in al the po~toTrc-that k the new one-this morning. Le. or she. would have wit messed some curious sights. A stranger might have concluded that a cymnastic class was iu session but such was not the case The fact of the matter is that the strange sights were none other than several agitatod patrons who were en- deavoring to work the combinations on the new rostoiice locx boxes.
 one frolicsomc old individual with gray hair. executed a double hand spring in an cndeavor to reach the height of his private box. Upon arriy- inG at the scene oi his mail safe the veteran Of many snows. struggled man fully in an endeavor to make turn six times to the right and then back fifty times to the left" open the box.
 But not SO The combination refused to combine. For several minutes this opponent of combinations. gnashed his teeth, tore his few hairs. and then tried again.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
Special Nugget Service.


 VANCOUVER, B c. March 2- About s2o.ooO in money orders cash and stamps was stolen from the reg istered mail bag aboard the steamship Princess Beatrice wh1o she was rI.lrg between this city amt ssaewus. hast night Although no clue wa- tu b.. the thief the government s,,r., ~.t- vice officials believe that they know the identity of the perpetrator. and that they will have him under lock and key within the next twenty four hours.
 The robbery was daring in its way. nasmuch as th. lootcr wa, compelled To pass several .hIp.- officers oa his way to the room in which the register od mail is kept
 It is believed hy th, officials. that the thief is moi novice in his craft and that he Is well acquainted with the mail system.
 The United States government loci, on the pouch was filed. Before the thief was able to reach thc bag he was forced to open an old iron strong box. m which the sack of valuabIcs was kopt while on shiphoard This he did with
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
any other stomach trouble.

any other stomach trouble.
 It has been acknowledged that the late Lieut.. West was attacked by cramps before he succumbed to the cold. The Nugget has been informed by authorative parties that the deceas- eds face was horribly distorted and that the lower lip had been bitten se- verely as one does when in lain. It was further ascertained that one hand "f the deceased was clenched, when the body was found, all of which facts point toward death struggle. Those who are authority on the sub
 ject, state that there is no pain con
 nected with death by feezing. The Nugget will draw no more con. clusions It is not the Nuggets duty.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
"PELUK" ARRESTED
 ALLEGED TO BE MAcouE

Charles Nystion. better known about town as "Peluk." was arrested vester- day afternoon by officers McVaitty and Campbell. charged with macqu, ins 'Pcluk' was brought up for trial today in the municipal court but his case was postponed until tomorrow afternoon al $ o'clock
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
NOMEsHEARS
 NEW RUMOR
MAY START WONDER DRepos as
 SOON AS BREAKUP

l. Is rumored about town that those in charge of the Wonder dredge on Discovery and 1 below on Wonder creek. have received word from the outside to start in work as soon as the Hreak-up. Although this information has not been confirmed it is undoubted- ly founded on some facts.
 The Wonder dredge is a little wonder in its own exclusive way and many would not be surprised to see it making an effort to pull up dirt before spring.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02
DID YOU KNOW THAT

James n'Sullivan. r n. Winter cap. Carlson, Billy Green. Frank Schow Dick Dawson and Jean Winter are all m Frisco.
 Jack McAllister and Christ Lawton gre in Nevada city mining.
 Louis Rochet Is visiting in Pasadena.
 Harvey Edgington is running the Beleyedere hotel, q modern hoStlery in Portland, for Mr. KruSe, who was recently married to Mrs Daggett. for merly of the Golden Gate hotel at Nome
 'opN and Bard are making money in Portland selling liquid hops and fire water at first class emporium.
 Charles Dinger and his wife are stin residing in Fresno enjoying city life to the greatest extent.
 Dan Calvin is in san Antonia. Tex, Iie has a corner lot saloon and is rak- ing in the shckels He has met all of the old soldier boys who used to be stationed here They are now located in Dams city.
 Mrs. F. K. Brown and husband are in Seattlew now. "See Me" Felix Is in the wholesale liquor business
 Dave Jckel arrived at Seward Nltn the Goodwin party on March l. He reports that all are well and tha; their Journey was verp pleasant.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-02

Then there was % delightful maiden who Was trying to solve puzzliug combination which stood between her and several letters from her sweet heart "t II-4s aud over again. lc repeated slowly. hut without success. The stubborn "combo" Was Nexing
 Then there was busy business man who made Hcrculcan effort to open his lnck box with a simple twist of the wrist He. too. failed in the first at tempt.
 Finally an old sourdough entered the office and all stopped to gaze upon what they believed would also prove to be victim of tho elusive combination.
 The sourdough walked up 10 his box. gave a simple turn. pulled open the little door. grabbed bunch of mail. and walked away as if nothing start ling had happened.
 A he passed through the outer door he turned back and remarked to the surprised spectators: "Tts anrully easy. lwhen you know how"