Tombstone epitaph., 1916-01-30


 detective agency to come at once to that city to assist the local operatives in unraveiing a particularly bafling case; a case. it may be added. that still remains one among many of the eastern metropolis unsolved riddles. The circumstances tended to show that on the morning of September 2 David Bardeene. master fnancier and power in Wall street, had been stabbed to death by a mysterious woman who had not as yet been ap- prehended and whose identity was unknown to the police. Bardeene's widow had enlisted the aid of the SUtherlands not only to find the wom- an. but to clear up an unpleasant scandal that. since the supposed mur- der, was beginning to cloud the dead milliouaire's name.
 The summons fell in admirably with Hazards plans. because his confrere and friend. Helen Bertel. was spend ing her vacation in New York, and he anticipated some pleasant times in her company. He reported promptly at the New York office, where he was supplied with full details of the case. Almost at once Hazard was struck by what he considered a suggestive factor; this was the ease with which the mysterious woman had gained ac- cess to Bardeene's private office. Guarded by an army of clerks and office attendants, the financier was 1f ha nS Unless by previous appointment. sell dom if ever was anybody admitted to his presence; strangers were barred utterly.
 The unknown woman, 1t would seem. on the presentation of her card, had been instantly ushered into the Inner sanctum.
 And here arose another singular cir constance. It was no other than the chief clerk himself who took the card: but be could not recall the womans oane. and the card itself could not be found. AS for her appearance, she had been stylishly gowned. she seemed to be young, or not more than middle aged, but her features were concealed ty 6 heavy veil.
 She remained with Bardeene per haps thirty minutes altogether. Some thing like five minutes before she de- parted the buzzer rang for George Destin, the chief clerk, who went at once into the private office. He reap peared in the outer office a minute or so later pale and trembling-in fact. Lat ..sr aF Ia aes force noticed his perturbation and commented among themselves that "the old man had been giving Destin a srilling."
 He was a much feared "old man"
 Then a minute or two later the yelled woman reappeared and passed at a normal gait through the outer room, where the office force was en- sconced. That was the last seen of her
 During the next few minutes it was noticed by his subordinates that Des- tin was uneasy and fdgety. He fun- bled aimlessly and nervously with the papers at his desk, and by and by he rose with an air of having steeled himself to the performance of an un- pleasant task and went into the pri. yate office.
 Next instant he came reeling back. white as a sheet and making queer, incoherent noises in his throat. The office was thrown into confusion; but presently the others made out that he was trying to cry Murder. And then 1t was that the fatality was dis covered.
 Having ascertained all the details from Hehernan, the New York opera tive who had charge of the case for the Sutheriands. Felix Hazard meant first to find Helen Bertel and then devote his attention to the dead fnan- cjer's Wall street offices. He was just starting for the elevator when an office boy came up and handed him . sealed envelope bearing his name. Hastily tearing 1t open, he found. on a slip of paper, the following typewrit' ten message:
 David Bardeene met only his just deserts. If you value your peace of mind don't. from . mistaken notion of duty, try to bring retribution upon .he rssserable instrument of vengeance who killed him. This is not a threat, but wise counsel"
 Hazard wheeled upon the boy Where did you get this?" he sharply demanded.
 T four 1t in the letterbox among the office mail"
 "B'm, Then anybody could have drocped it there at any time" He handed the slip to Henernan- Some body wants us to keep hands on; al far as you went. did you run against any opposition!
 Hereruan studied the uncompromis ,n. bit of paper and slowly shook hi! head.
 aReesrdIess of the disclaimer tha ,his is . threat" he commented, f {. nevertheless. nothing else Befor' you 20 much further l bet you'h re ceive another more to the point
 q believe you" agreed Hazard ~The case promises to be interesting Well. I must be on."
 Au hour later he and Helen Berte