Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-28

Lorne have been under surveillance
all day and have been followed here.
Look at THAR He hung the letter
kom. glancing at 1t. saw printed in
rude, illiterate letters upon the en-
velope the ono word "Cleek." The
identity Of Capt Burhage' was
known to some one. and the secret Of
the house in Charges street was q
secret no longer!
"Purposely disguised. you see. No
one. not even q little child. would make
as that" Cleek said. as he took the
letter UP and opened It. The sheet 1t
contained was lettered in the same
uncouth manner and bore these
''Cleek. take a fools advice and don't
accept the Chepstow case. Be warned.
II you interfere. somebody you care
more satisfactory to buy . wedding
bouquet than a funeral WREATH"
'Oh." shuddered the two ladies in
one breath. How horrible! How cow
ardlyi" And then, feeling that her last
hope had gone. Lady Chepstow broke
into . At Of violent weeping and laid
hcr head on Ailsa's shoulder.
ooh. my baby! My darling baby
boy!" she sobbed. "And now they are
threatening somebody that you, too,
love. OF course. Mr.. Cleek. can't ex-
pect you to risk the sacrifice Of your
own dear ones for the sake Of me and
mine. and so--and So. Oh. take me
away. Miss Lorne! Let me go back
to my baby and have him while I
may"
Good night. Mr.. Cleek." said Ailsa,
stretching out q shaking hand to him.
Thank you SO much for what you
would have done but for this. And
you were our last hope. tool"
why give 1t up. then. Miss Lorne?"
into her eyes. why not 60 on letting
me be your last hope-your only
hopper"
yes but they-they spoke Of a
funeral wreath
And they alsho spoke of a wedding
bouquet! I am going to take the case.
Miss Lorne-take it. and solve it, as I'm
ming eyes uplifted in deep thankfulness
and her shaking hand returned the
pressure of his. NOW. just give me five
minutes time In the next room-its my
you whether 1 shall begin with Capt.
Hawksley or eliminate him from the
case entirely. You might go in ahead.
Mr.. Narkom, and get the acid bath and
the powder ready for use. Well see
what the finger prints Of our gentle
correspondent have to tell. and. II they
are not in the records OF Scotland Yard
or down In my own private little book,
We'll get a sample Of Capt. Hawksley's
in the morning."
Then, excusing himself to the ladies,
he passed into the inner room in COM
pany with Narkom, and carried the let
ter with him. When he returned II was
still in his hand. but there were grayish
smudges all over it.
There's not finger print in the lot
that Is worth anything as q means OF
Identification. Miss Lorne." he said.
But you and Lady Chepstow may ac-
cept my assurance that Capt. Hawksley
Is not the man. The writer Of this let
ter belongs to the criminal classes: he
is on his guard against the danger OF
finger prints. and he wore rubber gloves
whom he penned this message. When I
who has had dealings with the police
before and whose finger prints are on
their records. I don't know what his
game is nor what he's after yet, but
will inside Of a week. I've an idea, but
it's SO wild q thing I'm almost afraid to
trust myself to believe II possible until
/ stumble over something that points
the same way. Now. go home with Lady
Chepstow and begin the work Of help
"Heipine you. Oh, Mr.. clesk. can
wef IL there anything we can do to
yes. When you leave the house, act
as though you are in the utmost stata
of detection and keep that up indsA-
nitely. Make 1t appear. for I am cor
tain you will be followed and spied
b.. - y hal .iee,inei he Case.