The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-07-10
''TheCreviice"
Bv Vim, ]. Burns and Isabel Ostrander


III he had met with any accident
his identity would have been discov-
cred and we would be notified, unless,
as in the case when he was run down
by that motor car, he did not wish to
d let you know for fear Of worrying
: you"
Blaine watched the young girl mar
4 rowly as he spoke. Was she aware
Of the two additional attempts only
the day before on the life Of the man
she loved? \
He merely followed dear, unself-
ish impulse because he knew that in
a few hours at most he would be with
/ me; but now it is morning! The
I dawn Of new day, and no word from
him! Those terrible people who tried
to kill him that other time to keep
. him from coming to me in my trouble
have made away with him. am sure
OF it now"
The detective breathed more freely,
Evidently Ramon Hamilton had had
tho coed sense to keep from her his
recent danger
you car be sure Of nothing, Miss
LeWto2 rave he feet that Mr. Hamil-
ton is nc, ee~d Henry Blaine said
earnestly "Icr DO not realize, per-
haCs, the orc salient fact that Grim
inal experts who zeal with cases of
disappearance have long since recog-
n.zed-the most difficult of all things
to conceal or do away with in large
city is a dead body"
Anita shivered and clasped her
hands convulsively, but she did not
speak, and after scarcely perceptible
pause, the detective went on:
You must not let your mind dwell
on the possibilities; it will only
entail useless, needless suffering on
your part. My experiences have been
many and varied in just such cases
as this, and In not one in fifty does
serious harm come to the subject Of
the investigation. In fact, in this in
stance, think it quite probable that
Mr.. Hamilton has left the city of his
own accord, and in your interests"
In my interests?" Anita repeated.
reused from her lethargy of sorrow
by his words, as he had intended that
she should be. Left the city? But
why?"
When he called upon me yesterday
morning / told him of commission
which ! wished him to execute for
me in connection with your investiga-
ton. | gave him some preliminary in
structions and he was to return to
me In the afternoon for letter Of in
PRODUCTION and to learn some minor
details of the matter involved. He
did not appear at the hour of our ap-
pointment and concluded that he had
taken the affair into his own hands
and had gone Immediately upon leav-
ing my office to fulfill his mission"
"Oh, perhaps he did" The young
girl started from her chair, her dull,
fearless eyes suddenly bright with
hope. THAT would be like Ramon;
he is so impulsive, so anxious to help
me in every way! Where did you
send him, Mr.. Blaine? Can't we tele-
phone, or wire and find out If he
really has gone to this place? Please,
please do! I cannot endure this
agony of uncertainty, of suspense,
much longer!"
Unfortunately, we cannot do
that" Blaine responded, gravely.
ITO attempt to communicate with
him where | have sent him would be
10 show our hand irretrievably to the
men we are fighting and undo much
of the work which has been accom-
plished. He may communicate with
you or possibly with me, if he finds
that he can contriye to accomplish 1t
safely"
Safely? Then If he has gone to
this place, wherever 1t is, he Is IN
danger" Anita faltered, trembling,
"By no means. The only danger
is that his identity and purpose may
be disclosed and our plans jeopar-
died." the detective treasured her
smoothly. Il know it is hard to wait
for news, but one must school oneself
TO patience under circumstances such
as this. 1t may be several days be-
fore you hear from Mr.. Hamilton and
you must try not to distress yourself
with idle fears in the meantime
but it is not certain--we have no
assurance that he really did go upon
that mission" The light OF hope died