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. Sold tir nil lriiKKtt
Take Hull's lVmlly fills foi
for coanllpatloo.
Forgiveness.
''Tho state!" sneered tho comt&t
od anarchist. "What do I caro fae
tho state?"
"Tho slate," replied tho court, "!
not Inclined to repay your harshness
in kind. It will caro for you for &
year." Philadelphia Ledger.
Do You Eat Pie?
If lint VOII life IIIIhmIiii- llltlf Mm llli.liuilrr. nf
life. JuHt order from your Kt'ocor u fow
niK'luiL'i'H of "OIJII.IM I.V mill Imifii limu
OIIHV It lM til IllllIlK l.nmilll l'lmi'il!iit. nn.l
C'liHtnnl plea tliut will plonso you. If your
urocor won't supply you, k to ono who will.
t-ui mi oy Li-aurut L.O., Kociiuaicr, N.Y."
Physical culuturo Is excollont, but
don't neglect to exorcise your discre
tion. -Pooh Richard, Jr.
The
Genera! Demand
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efficient liquid laxativo remedy of known
value; n laxativo which physicians could
sanction for family uso because its com
ponent parts arc known to them to bo
wholesome and truly beneficial in effect,
acceptable to the system and gentle, yet
prompt, in action.
In supplying that demand with its ex
cellent combination of Syrup of Figs and
Elixir of Senna, the California Tig Syrup
Co. proceeds along ethical lines and relic
on tho merits of the laxative for its remark
able success.
That is ono of many reasons why
Syrup of Figs and Elixir of Senna ia given
tho preferenco by tho Well-informed.
To get its beneficial effects always buy
tho genuine manufactured by tho Cali
fornia I'ig Syrup Co., only, and for sale
by all leading druggists. Price fifty ccntu
per bottle.
SICK HEADACHE
Positively cured by
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They ixIho rellc.ro DIh
trrHHfroiu I)yHeimln, In-
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They regulate tho UowcIm. l'uroly Vctfutnble.
SMALL PILL, SMALL DOSE. SMALL PRICE.
Genuine Must Bear
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REFUSE SUBSTITUTES,
What a 8ettlor Con Seoure In
WESTERN CANADA
160 Acres Craln.Growlnf Land FREE.
20 to 40 Buiheli Wheat to the Acre.
40 to 00 Buihel Oatt to the Acre.
35 to SO Butheli Barley to the Acre.
Timber for Fencing and Building FREE.
Good l-w with Low Taxation.
Splendid Railroad Facilities and Low Rates.
Schools and Churches Convenient.
Satisfactory Markets for all Productions.
Good Climate and Perfect Health.
Chances for Profitable Investments.
Borne of the cholecBt prnln-jiroduelntf lands In
RiiHlir.tehewiin mill Alliertiv may now be no
quired In t)ienc mobt healthful and prouperoun
Kvctioiiu under the
Revised Homestead Regulations
by which entry may tie innde by proxy (on cer
tain cotidltloim), by the futlier, mother, hoii,
diiuchtcr, brother or aUter of luteudlng homo
tender. Entry fee In eueh ense 1h JI0.00. For pnmphlet,
"LiiHt lleHt Went, "part leulurtuiH to ruten, routes,
beat time to K" mid where to locate, upply to
W. V. BKNNETT,
Nl York Life Bulldlm. Omsls. Ntbrsila,
$60,000 Value Given Away
WW RW'VfU' 1" W.i pressure
1i'm Mrfiln mi chain. It ruiui And imIiiiIih
hill miller tliun otlirr bleyrlvs. In tlio
Urui-xt xi'lllllif Ulyll-Krado wtienl III till)
world. Will iKKtnllfiitlins. Wmimku no
elll'UIl ltAI.'YL'LKH hilt Villi (Mill LTl't VOIIfl
AT FACTORY PRICES 'J
lot; ami nuninlilet xtU Kiikie. ft tollinlxiut
Uik It u'vci.k uud how to Ket tlib $00,000.
MANUFACTURERS OF THE RACYCLE, MIOOLETOWN, 0.
CARTERS
Vittle:
CARTERS
BRITTLE
WlVER
I PILLS.
msii w i .i sk
WIDOWS'undorNCW LAW oblnlnM
" w VtIT wVYwr by JOHN W. MORRIS,
PENSIONS wiwuiugtou, u, o. .
