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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (May 22, 1908)
STORY 3 r ,, , 'Trim-' BLINDFOLDED A Mystery Story of San Francisco BY EARLE ASHLEY WALCOTT (CuiyrlKbt ITOfl, the llobusMerrlll Co.) SYNOPSIS. (Jllos Dudley nrrlveri hi Sun KrunclHco to Join lii.s friend and distant relative Henry Wilton, wlioni he was to assist io fin important ami inyatcrlotiH task, anri who accompanied Dudley on tho tVrry boat trip Into tho city. Tho re markable resemblance of the two men Is noted and commented on by paH.sen Keri on the feny. They seo a man with Hii.ike eyeH, which sends a thrill through Dudley. Wilton postpones an explanation of tin straiiKe errand Dudley Is to per form, but occurrences cause him to know It Is one of no ordinary meaning. Wilton leaves Giles in their room, with Instiuetlon to await IiIb return and shoot any one Who tries to enter. Outside there Is heard shouts and curses and the nolso of a quarrel. Henry rushes in and at his request the roommates quickly ex change clothes, and lie hurries mil again. Hardly has he gone than Giles is Htartlod by a cry of "Help," and he runs out to find some one being assaulted by a half dozen men. lie summons a police man but they arc unable to tlnd any traeo of a crime. Giles returns to his room and hunts for some evidence that lulht explain his straugo mission. CHAPTER III. Continued. Then followed some numerals mixed in a drunken dance with half the letters of tho alphahet the ex planation of the map, I suppose, In cipher, and as It might prove a clue to this dreadful business, I folded the sheet carefully in an envelope and placed it In an Inmost pocket. Tho search having failed of definite results, I sat with chair tilted against the wall to consider tho situation. Turn it as 1 would 1 could make nothing good of It. Thero were des perate enterprises afoot of which I could see neither beginning nor end, purpose nor result. I repented of my consent to mix In these danger ous doings and resolved that when the morning came I would find other quarters, take up the search for Henry, and look for such work as might be found. It was after midnight when I had come to this conclusion, and, barring doors and windows as well as I could, I Hung myself on the bed to rest, and I sank into an uneasy slumber. When I awoke It was with a start and an oppressive sense that some body else was In tho room. Tho gas light that I had left burning had been put out. Darkness was Intense. I sat upright and felt for matches that 1 had seen upon tho stand. In another Instant I was Hung back upon the bed. "Wiry fingers gripped my throat, and a voice hissed in my ear: "Where is he? Where is tho boy? Givo mo your papers, or I'll wring the life out of you!" I was strong and vigorous, and, though taken at a disadvantage, struggled desperately enough to break tho grip on my throat and get a hold upon my assailant. "Where Is the boy?" gasped the voice once more; and then, as I made no reply, but twined my arms about him my assailant saved all his breath for the struggle. We rolled to the lloor with a thud that shook tho house, and in this change of base I had the luck to come out uppermost. Then my courage rose as I found that I could hold my man. I feared a knife, but If ho had one he had not drawn It, and I was able to keep his hands too busy to al low him to get possession of it now. Finding that ho was able to accom plish nothing, he gave a short cry and called; "Conn!" I heard a confusion of steps outside, and a sound as of a muflled oath. Then the door opened, thero was a rush of feet behind me, and the Hash of a bull's-eyo lantern. I "roleased my enemy, and sprang back to tho corner where I could defend myself at some advantage. I could distinguish four dark figures of men; but, instead of rushing upou mo as I stood on tho defensive, they seized upon my assailant. I looked " on panting, and hardly able to regain my breath. It was not half a minute before my enemy was securely bound and gagged and carried out. One of the men lingered. "Don't take such risks," he said. "I wouldn't have your job, Mr. Wilton, for all the old man's money. If wo hadn't happened up hero, you'd have boon done for this time.'" "In God's nnme, man, what does all this moan?" I gasped. The man looked at me In evident surprise. "They'e got a fresh start, 1 guess." he said. "You'd bettor get somo of tho men up here. Mr. Richmond sent us up here to bring this letter." Ho was gone silently, and 1 loft In the darkness. I struck a match, lighted tho gas once more, and, secur ing tho revolver, looked to the letter. Tho envelope bore no address. I tore It open. Tho lines were written In a woman's hand, and a faint but pe culiar perfume rose from the paper. It boro but these words: "Don't mnke the change until I see you. Tho money will be ready In tho morning. Ho at the bank at 10:30." Tho note, puzzling as It was, was hardly an addition to my perplexities. It was evident that I had been plunged Into the center of Intrigue, plot and counterplot. I was supposed to have possession of somebody's boy. A powerful and active enemy threat ened mo with death. An equally ac tive friend was working to preserve my safety. People of wealth were concerned. 1 had dimly seen a frag ment of the struggling forces, and it was plain that only a very ricli per son could afford tho luxury of hiring the bravos and guards who threat ened and protected me. The fato of Henry showed the power of those who were pursu ing me. Armed as we was with the knowledge of his danger, knowing, as I did not, what he had to guard and from what ho had to guard it, ho had yet fallen a victim. I could not doubt that he was the man assaulted and stabbed in the alley below, but the fact that no traco of him or of the tragedy was to be found gave me hope that he was still alive. Yet, at best, ho was wounded and in the hands of enemies, a pris oner to tho men who had sought his life. As I was hoping, .speculating;, plan ning thus, I was startled to hear a step on the stair. The sound was not ono that, need be thought out of placo in such a house and neighborhood, oven though the hour was past four in the morning. Hut it struck a chill through me, and I listened with growing apprehension as It mounted step by step. Tho dread silence of the house that had cast Its shadow of fear upon me now seemed to become vocal with protest against this Intrusion, and to send warning through the halls. At "rf.zir me last the step halted before my dem and a loud knock startled the echoes. With a great bound my heart threw off Us tremors, and I grasped the re volver firmly: "Who's thero?" "Open the door, sor; I've news for ye." "Who are you?" "Come now, no nonsense; I'm an officer." I unlocked the door and stopped to ono side. My bump of caution had developed amazingly in tho few hours I had spent in San Francisco, and, in spite of his assurance, I thought best to avoid any chance of a rush from my unknown friends, and to put my self In a good position to use my ro volvor if necessary. The man slopped in and showed his star. Ho was the policeman I had met when I had run shouting into the street. "I suspicion we've found your friend," ho said gravely. "You're wanted at the morgue." "Dead!" I gasped. "Dead as Saint Patrickrest his sowl ! " CHAPTER IV. A Change of "foame. "Here's your way, sor," said tho po liceman, turning to old City Hall, as It was even then known, and loading mo to one of the inner rooms of the labyrinth of offices. Tho policeman opened an office door, saluted, and motioned mo to enter. "Detective Coogan," ho said, "here's your man." Detectlvo Coogan, from behind his desk, nodded with the careless dig nity of official position. "Glad to see you, Mr. Wilton," he said affably. If I betrayed surpriso at being called by Henry's name, Detective Coogan did not notice it. Hut I has tened to disclaim the dangerous dis tinction. "I am not Wilton," I declared. "My iinino Is Dudle"- -Giles Dudley." At this announcement Detective Coogan turned to tho policeman, "Just stej) Into Morris' room. Car son, and tell him I'm going up to tho morgue." "Now," he continued, as tho police man closed the door behind him, "this won't do, Wilton. We've had to over look a good deal, of course, but you needn't think you can play us for suckers all the time." "Hut I tell you I'm not" l began, when he Interrupted me. "You can't make that go here," he said contemptuously. "And I'll tell you what, Wilton, I shall have to take you Into custody If you don't come down straight to business. Wo don't want to chip In on tho old man's play, of course, especially as we don't know what his game is." Detective Coogan appeared to regret this ad mission that he was not omniscient, and went on hastily: "You know as well as we do that wo don't want any light with him. Hut I'll tell you right now that if you force a fight, we'll make it so warm for him that he'll have" to throw you overboard to light on ship." Here was a fine prospect conveyed by Detectlvo Coogan's picturesque confusion of metaphors. If I persisted in claiming my own name and person I was to be clapped lno Jail, and charged with Henven-knows-what crimes. If 1 took my friend's name, I was to invito tho career of adventure of which 1 had just had a taste. And while this was Hashing through my mind, I wondered idly who the "old man" could be. The note I had re ceived was certainly in a lady's hand. Hut If the lady was Henry's employer, it was evident that he had dealt with tho police as the representative of a man of power. My decision was of necessity promptly taken. "Oh, well, If that's the way you look at it, Coogan," I said carelessly, "It's all right. I thought It was agreed that we weren't to know each other." This was a chance shot, but It hit. "Yes, yes," said the detective, "i remember. Hut, you see, this is seri ous business. Here's a murder on our hands, and from all I can learn It's on account of your confounded schemes. We've got to know where we stand, or thero will be the Old Nick to pay. Tho papers will get hold of It, and then well, you ro member that shake-up we had three years ago." "Hut you forget the 'old man,' " I re turned. The name of that potent Un known seemed to be my only weapon In the contest with Detective Coogan, and 1 thought this a time to try Its force. "Not much, 1 don't!" said Coogan, visibly disturbed. "Hut If It comes to a choice, we'll have to risk a battle with him." "Well, maybo we're wasting time over a trifle," said I, voicing my hope. "Perhaps your dead man belongs somewhere else." "Come along to the morgue, then," said he. "Where was ho found?" I asucd as we walked out of the City Hall. "Ho was picked up at about three o'clock in the back room of tho Hur ricane Deck tho water-front saloon, you know near the foot of Folsoin Street. Detective Coogan asked a number of questions as wo walked, and in a few minutes we came to tho under taker's shop that served as (ho city morgue. "Hero it is," said Coogan, opening a door. The low room was dark and chill and musty, but its details started forth from the obscurity as ho turned up tho lights. Detective Coogan's words seemed to come from a great distance as he said: "Here, you see, he was stabbed. Tho knife went to the heart. Here ho was hit with something heavy and blunt; but it had enough of an edgo to cut the scalp and lay tho cheek DRY FALLS The Disappointment of the American Tourist Was Great. Southey's description of Lodore has given to that charming friend of holi day days a reputation which is a little unfortunate. It has brought to Its course worshippers from afar, when thore has not been a cupful of wator to perform as much as the meanest of feats which tho poot describes. Ono such visitor was'an American. Ho had seen Niagara again and again. Ho read Southoy on the wonders of Lo dore, and onco more visited tho vast cataract of his native land. Then, feeling that, after all, Niagara must bo very small potatoes compared with tho fallB of which tho poet had sung, resolved to consecrate his holiday to tho contemplation of its boaullos and open. 'I wo skull Is broken, -. here " I summoned my resolution and looked. Disfigured and ghastly as It was, I recognized it. It wan the face of Henry Wilton. The next I knew I was sitting on a bench, and the detectlvo was hold lug a bottle to my Hps. "Thore, take another swallow," ho said, not unkindly. " 1 didn't know you weren't used to It." "Oh." I gasped, "I'm all right now." And 1 was able to look steadily at tho gruesome surroundings and thu dreadful burden on the slab. ."is this the man?" asked the de tecllve. "Yes." "His name?" "Dudley .lames Dudley." I was not quite willing to transfer tho whole of my Identity to tho dead, and changed tho Giles to James. "Was ho a relative?" I shook my head, though I could not have said why I denied It. Then, In answer to the detective's question, I told tho story of the scuffle In the alley, and of the events that followed. "Did you see any of the men? To recognize them, I mean?" I described the leader as well as I was able (he man with the face of the wolf that I had seen In the lantern-flash. Detective Coogan lost ills llstlo.HH uir, and looked at me In astonish ment. "1 don't see your game. Wilton," ho said, "I'm giving you the straight facts," I said sullenly, a little disturbed by his manner, and tone. "Well, in that case, I'd expect you to keep tho straight facts to your self, my boy." It was my turn to he astonished. "Well, that's my lookout," I said with assumed carelessness. "1 don't see tlu'ough you." said tho detectlvo with some irritation. "If you're playing with me to stop this Inquiry by dragging In well, wo needn't use names you'll find your self in tho hottest water you ever struck." "You can do as you please," 1 said coolly. The detective ripped out an oath. "ir I knew you were lying, Wilton, I'd clap you in Jail this minute." "Well, if you want to take tho risks " I said smiling. He looked at me for a full minute. "Candidly, I don't, and you know It," he said. "Hut this is a stunner on me. What's your game, anyhow?" 1 wished I knew. "So accomplished a detective should not lio at a loss to answer so siinplo a question." "Well, there's only one courso open, as I see," he said with a groan. "We've got to have a story ready for tho papers and the coroner's jury " This was a new suggestion for mo and 1 was alarmed. "You can just forget your little talo about tho row In the alloy," ho con tinued. "There's nothing to show that it had anything to do with this man here. Maybe it didn't happen. Anyhow, just think It. was a dream. This was a wator-rront row tough saloon killed and robbed by parties unknown. .Maybe we'll have you be fore tho coroner for thu identifica tion, but maybe It's better not." 1 nodded assent. My mind was too numbed to suggest another course. The gray dawn was breaking through the chill fog, and peoplo were stirring in thu streots as De tective Coogan led tho way out of tho morgue. As wo parted he gave mo a curious lock. "1 suppose you know your own busi ness, Wilton," he said, but 1 suspect you'd bo a sight safer if I'd clap you in jail." And with this consoling comment he was gone, and I was left In tho dawn of my first morning In San Francisco, mind and body at the nadir of depression after tho excitement and perils of the night. (TO UK CONTINUICD.) OF LODORE. grandeur. Hot sot out tho moment ho reached Keswick, and long walked and toiled over rocks and boulders. Ho could not find tho falls. Ho, rested, and asked: "Can you direct mo to tho Falls of Lodore?" "Why, you'ro a slttln' on 'em," was the heart-breaking answer. Tho falls of irll the adjectives wore dry! St. James' Gazette. Good Management. Generally it Is good to commit the buglnning of all great actions to Ar gus with a hundred oyes; and tho ends of them to Urlareus with a hurt dret1 hands; first to watch and then to siyot-u -Lord Hacon. Girls Wanted. Since the beginning of this year Pvo male immigrants have lauded In New York city to two fomule immigrants. And the Moon Man Laughed. They were Jogging along tho old md cupid was so busy that tho I ,,S m, dropped tho lines oltfior T B , lu "''""t- It was then side of tho run.. , ,., ',, ' that tho wise old t,,rne(l la7lly around. , "What are you looking nt?" querlfti tho -owl by the roadside. "I am reading between tho llnea," laughed the old nag as sho gayo a horse laugh and showed her long jrI low teeth. How's This? Wo offer Ono II ti mired Dollars Uewnrd for nr ISAM flf Cularrli that rnnnn Iia rnrml t. 1fii Catarrh Curo. F. J. CHUN KY A CO., Tolodo. O. wo, tun vimierilKiieil. liRto known F. J. Client Tor llio lml 15 yasrn, nntl helluva lilin perfectly hon ornlilo In ,1 Imatnnis Iritiiufvc.tlunii and (lnnnclstlt oblo to carry out any otilhrstlntiK uisdo by tit linn. tl ... tr ....... ... a . . ... . . Wholoaalo DriWKUts, Toledo. O, i is imiiu in wiiii; llllUI IIHIIT HUH K lilrfwtlv mum Hi li1n,wl a ml mitMi -aMa n .-. system. Tet;uimillii sent free. 1'rlco 73ccnt pot botlln. 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