The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-05-18
The Mystery of
theSilverDa Dagger
By Randall
Parrish
Author Of
"The Strange Case
of CayendiSh"
Copyright, By Randall Parrish

was to be paid out to the authorized
party through man named Krantz.
Who was Krantz7 There was a WELL
known banking firm, Kulb, Krantz 4
Co., In Wall Street, and 1t was quite
probable these might prove the ones
involved, although to my knowledge
they had no outward junta connec-
lions of this nature. "Gans" was evil
IDENTIFY a street, although could recall
none bearing so peculiar appellation,
while the password was In itself proof
almost positive as to the South or Cen
trail American sympathies Of the con-
spirators.
These facts were fairly clear as I
thus weaved them together, but they
were rendered more damning by the
other name mentiOned-WaldrOn. II
this was Ivan Waldron, l had good rea-
son to know the fellow, and to con-
meet his activities with any scheme
destined to embarrass the government.
He was a professional agitator of the
most pronounced type, a socialist radl-
cal. who in the past had openly advo-
Gated opposition to all law and order.
Moreover, the fellow had a large and
desperate following, to whom he was
high-priest. He was reported to be a
Russian by birth, but spoke English
without an accent, and felt no doubt
but what sufficient amount Of money
would engage his interest In any des-
perate cause. The desire to "get him"
added zest to my interest In the affair.
II he was actually at the head Of these
fellows. these plotters against the neu-
trality of the United States, the catch
would be worth while.
As soon as possible next morning l
sought out Burke, the manager Of the
hotel, with whom had a speaking &C
quaintance, and, without confidlng the
extent of my discovery, questioned him
relative to the mysterious box, and the
guests who left it behind. Two men.
he said. both we'll dressed. but with
nothing particularly to distinguish
them, had registered together late In
the afternoon Of Friday. September q,
and on request had been assigned to
one room with twin beds and a bath.
The larger man, who had inscribed him
self as Up. s. Horner, Detroit" alone
had a bag; his companion. known to
the hotel as "Gustave Alva, Toledo,
Ohio" being without baggage. The
bill was paid the next morning by
HOrner, and the two departed together.
1t was an hour later when the cham
bermaid on that floor reported finding
the box in the room vacated. After
holding 1t for day or two In expec-
tation that 1t might be called for, no
such inquiries being made, the hotel
endeavOred to trace the men. but to
no avail. The fellows had either false
ly registered, or were entirely unknown
where they claimed residence The
first was the most probable condition.
After thirty days, and having exhaust
ed all reasonable efforts to find the
rightful owner, the hotel felt legally
justified in selling the trinket. That
was all Burke knew Of the matter, and
his interest in 1t was not keen.
l am inclined to think now that
went at the problem without much
system, and that any success achieved
was through pure accident. During
the forenoon l dropped in upon Glenn
ent Breckenridge, cashier of the Do
ver's National bank. We had been
classmates at college, and generally
called on him when in the city. This
time l led the conversation to Kulb,
Krantz & Co., on the pretense that I
had received mail from them relative
to some recommended investment.
Clement knew Krantz well and favor
ably. and my probing elected the in
formation that the man was Austrian
by birth. but naturalized citizen,
rather deeply interested in political
matters. If his sympathies were at all
revolutionary he had carefully re-
Trained from any such open express
sion. The firm had made speciality
of handling South American business,
and had intimate financial connections
in both Rio and Buenos Aires. The
company ranked high in financial
circles.
"The present war must have cost
them a rather heavy lOss." hazarded.
However, this Is nothing to me. BY
the way. Clement. do you chance to
know of Cans street in this town.
"Gans? That Is a new one on me-
Try the city directory--there on the
adya NJ tho dcSlx"
The name was not to be found, nor
any other approaching it in sound OF
spelling, and l finally drifted out onto
the street. really no wiser than wher
l first entered. made one more effort
however. telephoning to a detective
sergeant whom knew well, as to the
present whereabouts Of Ivan Waldron
The last heard Of Waldron. he was II
West Virginia, speaking to strlkin.
miners; that was less than weel
ago; he had not been seen In the cit!
since.