The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-09-28
CHAPTER CXXXVII.
A Dead Hand.

Den0 hano.
Swan hastened to the stairs in
answer to the summons which had
some to him from above. 1t was
not the first time that he had visit
ed the Poison House, and he had a
very fair idea of the disposition of
the rooms. He met no one, and the
whole place seemed unworthy silent
What is it?" asked the detective
bresthlessiy. Have you found any
thing"
I'VE found these on the floor by
the bed" The captain lifted up
delicate stocking, which had evil
IDENTIFY belonged to a little girl,
and boys cap. Dropped in the
hurry of moving" he continued.
They must have been lifted out of
bed, wrapped up somehow and their
clothes bundled together to be put
on at leisure. 1t strikes me they
cannot be moved far in that con-
dition-"
jackson has gone next door, of
course?" inquired Swan anxiously.
81 believe that there is communion
ton between the two houses"
Eyes. We shall hear what he has
to report presently. In the mean
while look at this"
He pointed to a small object
which lay on a table beside the bed
1t was a hypodermic syringe. There
was also an empty cup which con-
tained a sponge. Swan lifted the
cup to his nose.
"Chloroform." he said.
Yes. The children have evident
~ been chloroformed. Whether to
make it easier to carry them and to
prevent their crying out or for
some other purposes. it is impossi-
BILE to say at present"
What do you make OF the
springer"
The inspector shrugged his Shout
ders. I'VE will confiscate IT," he
said "a doctor may be able to
find out what it has contained. You
think that the children were stolen
ty the man who rents this house
for its owner?"
Stolen for him-yes."
THE actual abductor was
gypsy girl named cara He. him
self-as 1 have often point outs
connected with a certain tribe of
gypsies, and his real name is Va
lenski. He passes here as the
Count Won Schonheim. He is one OF
the most dangerous characters in
town. though you chaps of the regu-
lar force have always refused to
admit the fact Perhaps you will
see your way to have him arrested
now"
He shall certainly be arrested
II we can catch him. There is evil
dence, too, that the proceedings in
this house should be put stop to-"
Shutting the stable door too late,
as usual" rallied Swan 81 gave
notice Of the purposes to which
this place was put years ago. But
you fellows never take action TIL
the mischief is done" He spoke,
as he-felt, bitterly.
I'VE had no complaints" said the
captain shortly. at is impossible
20 interfere without reason. We
have a reason now"
There is something else which
needs immediate attention" said
the police captain. Come. and
VIII show you"
He led the way to another room
on the same floor. This was fur
nished as a kind of study. and was
evidently used by a man OF scIen-
IL
lined with book shelves-the other
half. curta!ned Of usually. but row
fully visible-was evidently used as
a kind OF laboratory. The shelves
here were filled with bottles and
glasses of curious shapes, test tubes
in stands. -Tetorts, and wash bot
ties. There was a small sink in
one corner and the water was still
running in Ct 4 human skeleton.
EsUnt and grinn:nE. occupied the
other corner. and close beside u
large book. with colored diagrams,
stood open upon a reading desk.
Swan remembered Valenski's
room in the tUrret Of the castle IN
the CarPathians. and the recoIIec-
ton of it-how he had broken the
bottles and made his way through
the noHious fumes-sickpned him.
The man is devil" he NUT
tered, "and this is his lair. II we
could but lay hands upon him.
What do you make OF itT' asked
the captain. turning to Swan.
obviously there has been
struggle here" chair lay over
turned in the front part Of the
room. and there were fragments Of
broken glass on the floor where q
lamp had been overturned and had
been broken. The table had been
pushed aside and the books were
In disorGer. Swan stopped and ex-
amined a dark stain upon the floor
close To the overturned chair.
Blood" he said.
"And recent" returned the can
tain. Nov the question is: Where
is the wounded person.
1T hardly seems possible that
any one, bSdly hurt, should have
got far away" said Swan. Have
your men searched the whole
house?"
As he spoke two policemen en-
tered the -oom.
Nov perhaps we shall know
something" said Captain Marshall.
Have you searched the whole
house. Green?T
Yes. sir.
And have you found any onA!"
Two or three servants in bed
though they look - IL they bun
died in at a moments notice. They