The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-09-16
1.-THE CreviCe'
By VIM. J. Burns and Isabel Ostrander

My profession has ethics, too. Doc.
tor, although you may not have con.
ceived It," the detective reminded him,
quietly. Even more than doctor or
priest, professional Investigator must
preserve inviolate the secrets which
are impaired to him, whether they
take the form of light under bushel
or skeleton in a closet. In the cause
of justice, only, may he open his lips.
hold safely locked away In my mind
the keys to mysteries which, were
they laid bare, would disrupt society,
drag great statesmen from their pedes-
tails, provoke international complica-
tons, even bring on wars. II you
know anything pertaining to the mat
ter Of which ] wrote you, justice and
the ethics of your profession require
you to speak"
II agree with you, sir. AS said,
am not certain that my adventure
for 1t was quite an adventure for re-
tired man like myself, assure you
has anything to do with the case you
are investigating, but we can soon es-
tablsh that. Do you recognize the sub
ject of this photograph"
The doctor drew from his pocket
a small square bit of cardboard, and
Blaine took 1t eagerly from him. One
glance at 1t was sufficient, and It was
with difficulty that the detective re-
strained the exclamation Of triumph
which rose to his lips. Upon the card
was mounted tiny, thumbnail photo
graph of face-the face of Ramon
Hamilton! 1t was more like a death
mask than living countenance, with
it's rigid features and closed eyes, but
the likeness was indisputable.
81 recognize 1t, indeed, Doctor That
is the man for whom | am searching.
How did it come into your possession"
81 took 1t myself, last night" The
spare figure Of the elderly physician
Strengthened proudly in his chair.
when your communication arrived,
did not attach much Importance to it
because it did not occur to me for a
moment that should have been select
ed, from among all the physicians and
surgeons of this city, for such case.
When the summons came, however,
remembered your warning-but l an
ticipate. Since my patient Of last night
is your subject, may as well tell you
my experiences from the beginning.
My name is Alwyn-Doctor Horatius
Alwyn-and | live at Number Twenty.
six Maple Avenue. Until my retire
ment seven years ago was a regular
practising physician and surgeon, but
since my breakdown suffered a
slight stroke-I have devoted myself
to my books and camera-always a
hobby with me.
"Well--late last night, the front
door-bell rang. 1t was little. after
eleven. and my wife and the maid had
retired, but | was developing some
plates in the darkroom, and opened
the door myself Three men stood
there, but could see scarcely anything
Of their faces. for the collars of their
shaggy motor coats were turned up.
their caps pulled low over their eyes,
and all three wore goggles
doctor Alwyn?' asked one of the
men, the burliest of the three. advanc-
ing into the hall. want you to come
out into the country with me on
hurry call. It's a matter Of life and
death, and there's five thousand dol
lars in 1t for you. but the conditions at.
tached to 1t are somewhat unusual.
May we come into your office, and
talk II over?
81 led the way, and listened to their
proposition Briefly, it was this a
young man had fallen and injured his
head, and was lying unconscious in
sanitarium in the suburbs. There were
reasons which could not be explained
to me, why the utmost secrecy must be
maintained, not only concerning the
young mans identity but the location
of the retreat where he was in seclu-
sion They feared that he had suffer
ed concussion of the brain, possibly
a fractured skull, and my diagnosis
was required. Also, should deem an
operation necessary, must be prepar.
ed to perform 1t at once. They would
take me to the patient in the car, but
when we reached our destination.
was to be blindfolded. and led to the
sickroom, where the bandage would be
removed from my eyes. ! was to re-
turn in the same manner. For this
service, and Of course my secrecy, they
offered my five thousand dollars.
Although that would not have been