C$L
BLINDFOLDED
A Mystery Story
of San Francisco
BY
EARLE ASHLEY WALCOTT
(Copyright 10, the Hobbs-Merrlll Co.)
SYNOPSIS.
GI1P3 Dudley arrived In San Francisco
to Join his friend and distant relative
Henry Wilton, whom ho was to nsslst
in an important nna mysterious msK,
nnd who accompanied Dudley on the
ferry boat trip Into the city. Tho re
markable resemblanco of tho two men
Is noted and commented on by passen
gers on the ferry. They sec a man with
niiake eyes, which sends a thrill throush
Dudley. Wilton postpones an explanation
or tho stranj;o errand Dudley la to per
form, but occurrences cause him to
know It Is one of no ordinary meaning.
Wilton leaves Giles In their room, with
instruction to await his return and shoot
any one who tries to enter. Outsldo there
is heard Bhouts and curses and tho nolso
of a quarrel. Henry rushes in and at
his request the roommates quickly ex
change clothes, and ho hurries out analn.
Hardly has ho gone than Giles is
startled by a cry of "Help," and he runs
out to find some one beliiK assaulted by
a half dozen men. Ho summons a police
man but they are unable to find any
trace of a crime. Giles returns to hla
room and hunts for somo cvldenco that
might explain his strange mission, lie
finds a map which he endeavors to de
cipher. Dudley Is summoned to the
morgue and there finds the dead body or
his friend, Henry Wilton. And thus Wilt
on dies without ever explaining to Dud
ley the puzzling work he was to perform
In San Francisco.
CHAPTER V.
Doddridge Knapp.
It was past ten o'clock of the morn
ing when the remembrance -of the
mysterious note I had received the
preceding night came on me. I took
the slip from my pocket, and read Its
contents once more. It was perplex
ing enough, but It furnished mo with
an Idea. Of course I could not take
money intended for Henry Wilton
But here was the first chance to get
at tho heart of this dreadful business.
The writer of the note, I must sup
pose, was tho mysterious employer
If I could see her I could find the way
of escape from the dangerous burden
of Henry Wilton's personality and
mission.
But which bank could bo meant?
The only names I knew were the
Bank of California, whose failure In
the previous year had sent echoes
even into my Now England home, and
the Auglo-Californlan Bank, on which
I held a draft. Tho former struck
mo as tho more likely place of ap
pointment, and after somo skilful
navigating I found myself at the cor
ner of California and Sansome streets,
before the building through which the
wealth of an empire had flowed.
I watched clOBely the crowd that
passed in and out of tho treasure
house, and assumed what I hoped was
an air of prosperous Indifference to
my surroundings.
No one appeared to notice me,
There were eager men and cautious
men, and men who looked secure and
men who looked anxious, but neither
man nor woman was looking for me
Plainly I had made a bad gues3. A
hasty walk through several other
banks that I could see in tho neigh
borhood gave no better result, and I
had to acknowledge that this chance
of penetrating the mystery was gone.
I speculated for tho moment on what
the effects might be. To neglect an or
dor of this kind might result In the
with-drawal of the protection that had
saved my life, and In turning mo over
to tho mercies of the banditti who
thought I knew something of tho
whereabouts of a boy.
As I reflected thus, I came upon a
crowd massed about the steps of a
great granite building In Pine Street;
a whirlpool of men, It seemed, with
cross-currents and eddies, and from
tho whole rose the murmur of excited
voices.
It was the Stock Exchange, tho
gambler's paradise, In which millions
wore staked, won and lost, and ruin
and affluence walked sldo by sldo.
- As I watched the swaying, shout
ing mass with wonder and amuse
ment, a thrill shot through me.
Upon the steps of tho building,
amid the crowd of brokers and specu
lators, I saw a tall, broad-shouldered
man of fifty or flfty-flvo, his face
keen, shrewd and hard, broad at tho
temples and tapering to a strong jaw
a yellow-gray mustacho and imperial
half-hiding and half-revealing tho
Arm lines of tho mouth, with tho
mark of tho wolf strong upon tho
whole. It was a face never to bo for
gotten as long as I should hold mem
ory at all. It was the faco I had seen
twelve hours beforo in tho lantern
Hash In the dreadful alley, with tho
cry of murder ringing In my ears.
Then it was lighted by the fierce fires
of rage nnd hatred, and marked w?ih
tho chagrin of harried plans. Now it
was cool, good-humored, alert for the
battlo of tho Exchange that had al
ready begun. But I knew It for tho
same, and was near crying aloud that
here was a murderer.
I clutched my nearest neighbor by
tho arm, and demanded to know who
it was.
"Doddridgo Knapp," replied tho
man civilly. "He's running tho Choi
lar deal now, and If I could only, guess
which side ho's on, I'd mako a for
tune in tho next few days. He's tho
King of Pino Street."
While I was looking at tho King
of tho Street and listening to my
neighbor's tales of his operations,
Doddridgo Knapp's eyes mot mine.
To my amazement there was a look
of recognition In them. Yet he made
no sign, and In a moment was gone.
This, then, was tho enemy I was
to moot! This was the explanation of
Detective Coogan's hint that I should
be safer In jail than free on the
streets to face this man's hatred or
revenge.
I must have stood In a daze on tho
busy street, for I was roused by some
ono shaking my arm with vigor.
"Come! are you asleep?" said tho
man, speaking In my ear. "Cau't you
hear?"
"Yes, yes," said I, rousing my at
tention. "The chief wants you." His voice
was low, almost a whisper.
"The chief? Who? Whero?' I asked.
"At the City Hall?" I jumped to the
conclusion that It was, of course, the
chief of police, on tho scent of tho
murder.
"No. Of course not. In tho second
olllco, you know."
This was scarcely enlightening.
Doubtless, however, it was a summons
from my unknown employer.
"I'll follow you," I said promptly.
"I don't think I'd better go," said
the messenger dubiously. "lie didn't
say anything about it, and you know
ho's rather "
"Well, I order It," I cut in decisive
ly. "I may need you."
I certainly needed him at that mo
ment If I was to And my way.
"Go ahead a few steps," 1 said.
My tone and manner impressed
him, and he went without another
7W &y&EFND CkVfF, ' rX4tO
word. I sauntered after him with as
careless an air as I could assume
My heart was beating fast. I felt
that I was close to tho mystery and
that the next half hour would deter
mlno whether I was to take up Henry
Wilton's work or to find my way In
safety back to my ow:. namo and per
son.
My unconscious guide led the way
along Montgomery Street into an of
flco building, up a flight of stairs, and
into a back hallway.
"Stay a moment," I said, as he had
his hand on the door knob. "On sec
ond thoughts you can wait down
stairs."
He tur ml back, and as his foot
steps echoed down tho stair I opened
the door and entered tho office.
As I crossed tho threshold my heart
gavo a great bound, and I stopped
short. Before mo sat Doddridgo
Knapp, tho King of tho Street, tho
man for whom above all others In
the world I felt a loathing and fear.
Doddridgo Knapp finished signing
his name to a paper on Mr desk bo
fore ho looked up.
"Come In and sit down," ho said.
The voice was alert and business like
the voice of a man accustomed to
command. But I could find no trace
of feeling In It, nothing that could tel
mo of tho hatred or desperate purpose
that would inspire such a tragedy as
1 had witnessed, or warn me of dan
ger to come.
"Do you hear?" ho said impatiently;
"shut the door and sit uown. Jus
spring that lock, will you? We might
bo interrupted."
I was n t at all certain that I shoum
not wish very earnestly '.hat ho might
bo Interrupted In what Bret Harte
would call tho "subsequent proceed
Ings." But I followed his directions
Doddridgo Knapp was not less lm
presslve at close view than at long
range. Tho strong faco grev stronger
when Been from tho near distance.
"My dear Wilton," ho said, "I've
como to a place whero I've got to
trust somebody, so I've como back to
you." Tho voice was oily and per
suasive, but tho keen gray eyes shot'
out a glance from uuder tho bushing
oyobrows that thrilled mo as a wnrn-
Ing.
"It's very kind of you," I said, swal
lowing my astonishment with an ef
fort.
"Well," said Knapp, "tho way you
hondled that Ophtr matter was per
fectly satisfactory; but I'll tell you
that It's on Mrs. Knapp's say-so, as
much as on your own doings, that 1
selected you for this job."
"I'm much obliged to Mrs. Knapp,"
I said politely. I was In deep waters.
It was plainly unsafe to do anything
but drift.
"Oh, you can settle that with her at
your next call," ho snhi good hu
morodly. Tho Jaded nerves of surprlso re
fused to respond further. If I had re
ceived a telegram Informing mo that
the dispute over the presidency had
been settled by shelving both Hnyes
and TUden and giving the unanimous
vote of tho electors to mo, I Hhould
havo accepted It as a mattor of
course. I took my place unquestlon
Ingly as a valued acquaintance of
Doddridgo Knapp's and a particular
friend of Mrs. Knapp's.
Yet It struck me as strange that
tho keen-eyed King of the Street had
failed to discover that ho was not
talking to Henry Wilton, but to Borne
one else v ho resembled him. Thoro
wcro enough differences In features
and voice to distinguish us among
Intimate friends, though there wore
not enough to bo seen by casual ac
quaintances. I had the key in tho
next sentenco ho spoke.
"I havo decided that It Is bettor
this tlmo to do our business faco to
faco. I don't want to trust messen
gers on this nffalr, and oven cipher
notes nro dangerous, confoundedly
dangerous."
Then we had not been close ac
quaintances. "Oh, by tho way, you havo that
other cipher yet, haven't you?" ho
asked.
"No, burnt it," I said uublush
ingly. "That's right," ho said. "It was
best not to take risks. Of course you
understand that It won't do for us to
bo seen together."
"Certainly not," I assented.
"I havo arranged for another office.
Hero's tho address. Yours is Room
15. I have tli3 key to 17, and 1G Is
vacant between with a 'To Let' sign
on it. They open Into ench other.
You understand?"
"Perfectly," I said.
"You will bo there by nine o'clock
for your orders. If you get none by
twelve, thoro will bo none for the
day."
"If I can't bo there, I'll let you
know." I was off my gucrd for a mo
ment, thinking of the possible do
mands of Henry's unknown em
ployer.
"You will do nothing of tho kind,"
said Doddridgo Knapp shortly. Ills
voice, so smooth and businesslike a
moment before, changed suddenly to
a growl. His heavy eyebrows came
down, and from under them flashed
a dangerous light. "You will bo there
when I tell you, young man, or you'll
havo to reckon with another sort of
customer than the one you've been
dealing with. This matter requires
prompt and strict obedlenco to or
ders. Ono slip may ruin tho whole
plan."
"You can depend on me," I said
with assumed confidence. "Am I to
havo any discretion?"
"None whatever."
I had thus far been able to get no
hint of his purpose. If I had not
known what I knew, I should have
supposed that his mind was concen
trated on tho apparent object beforo
him to secure tho zeal and fidelity
of an employe in somo important
business operation.
"And what am I to do?" I asked.
"Bo a capitalist," ho said with an
ironical smile. "Buy and sell what I
tell you to buy and sell. Keep under
coyer, but not too much under cover.
You can pick your own brokers. Bet
tor begin with Bocksteln and Eppnor,
though. Your checks will bo honored
at the Nevada Bank. Oh, here's a
clphor In caso I want to write you,
I suppose you'll want somo ready
money."
Doddridge Knapp was certainly a
liberal provider, for ho shoved a hand
ful of twenty-dollar gold pieces across
tho desk In a way that made my eyes
open.
"By tho way," he continued, "I don't
think I havo your signature, havo I?"
"No, sir," I replied with prompt
confidence.
"Well, just wrlto It on this slip
then. I'll turn It into the bank for
your identification. You can take tho
check-book with you."
"..nythlng more?"
"That's all," ho replied with a not
of dismissal. "Maybo It's to-morrow
raybo It's next month."
And I walked out Into Montgomery
Street, bowlldored among tho con
lllctlng mysteries In which I had been
ontangled.
CHAPTER VI.
A Night at Borton's.
Room 15 was a plain, comfortable
office la a plain, comfortable building
on Claf Strcot, not far from tho heart
of tho business district. It was oil
tho second floor, and Its ono window
opened to tho rear, and faced a deso-
lato assortment of bnck yards, rear
walla, and rlckoty stairways. Tho
floor had a worn enrpot, and thoro
was a dosk, a few chairs and it shelf
of law books. Tho place looked as
though It had belonged to a lawyer
n reduced clrcumstancps, and 1 could
but wondor how It had come Into tho
possession of Doddridge Knapp, and
what had become of tho former occu
pant.
1 tried to thrust r.sldo a spirit ol
molnncholy, and looked narrowly to
tho opportunities offered by tho room
for attack and dofonso. Tho walla
were solidly built. Tho window-casement
showed an unusual depth for a
building of that height. Tno wall had
been put in to withstand an earth
quake shock. Tho door opening Into
tho hall, the door Into Room 1G, nnd
tho window furnished tho three ave
nues of possible attack or retreat.
Tho depression of spirits that pro-
grossed with my survey of tho room
deepened Into gloom as I flung myself
Into tho arm-chair beforo tho desk,
and tried to plan somo way out of the
tangle In which I was Involved. How
was I, single-handed, to contend
against tho powor of tho rlchost
man In tho city, and bring homo
to him tho murder of Henry Wilton?
could look for no asslstanco
from the police. Tho words of
Detective Coogan wero enough to
show that only tho most convincing
proof of guilt, backed by fear of pub
lic sentiment, could bring the depart
ment to rniso a ilngor against him.
And how could 1 hope to rouse that
public sentiment? What would my
word count against that of tho King
of tho Street?
Whero was tho motlvo for tho
crlmo? Until that was made clear I
could not hopo to pleco togothor tho
scraps of evidence Into a solid struc
ture of proof. And what motlvo
could thoro bo that would reconcllo
tho Doddridgo Knapp who sought tho
llfo of Henry Wilton, with tho Dodd
ridgo Knr.pp of this morning, who
wns ready to engago him In his con
fidential business? And had I tho
right to accept any part In his busl
ness?
Fatigue and loss of sleep deoponed
tho dejection of mind that oppressed
me with theso Insistent questions, and
as I vainly struggled ngalnst It, car
ried mo at last Into tho oblivion of
dreamless slumber.
Tho next I knew t was awaking to
tho sound of breaking glass. It was
dark but for a feeble light that camo
from tho window. Every bono In my
body nched from C cramped position
In which I had slept, and it seemed
an age beforo I could rouso myself to,
act. It was, however, but a second
beforo I was on my feet, revolver in
hand, with tho dosk between mo and
a possiblo assailant.
Silence, threatening, oppressive,
surrounded me aw I stood listening,'
watching, for tho next movo.
"I thought tho transom was opon,"
said a low voice, which still soemed
to bo struggling with suppressed
laughter.
"I guess it woke him up," said an
other and harsher voice. "I heard a
nolso In there."
"You're certain ho's thoro?" asked
th first voice with another chuckle,
"Suro, Dicky. I saw him go in,
and Porter and I havo taken turns to
watch over since."
"Well' It's time ho camo out," said
Dicky. "Ho can't be asleep after that
racket. Say!" ho called, Harry!
What's the matter with you? If you'ro
dead let us know."
They appeared friendly, but I hes
Rated in framing an answer.
(TO UI3 CONTINUED.)
BEARS EXPECT HARD WINTER.
Besides, Trees Are Putting on Extra
Thick Bark.
Jim Tompkins, tho Mt. Hood woods
man whoso prediction last fall of a
hard winter was verified, is again
out with a pronunclamento to tho of
feet that tho coming winter will dls
count that of last year and will In ef
fect bo a "peolor."
Mr. Tompkins again bases his pre
diction on tho habits of tho bears,
which ho states aro moro numerous
in tho lower valley than last year and
aro foraging nlmost In the dooryard
of ranchers to fatten up for a "pow
erful spell of klllln' weather."
"Them snowstorms wo had last win
ter," says Mr. Tompkins, "won't bo a
marker to what we'll kotch this win
ter. Every sign known to natur' Is
hollerln' It out loud, and tho bears
comln' In cIobc to town Is a sure sign.
"Another Is tho bark on the trees
Whonovor It gits as thick as It is now
look out. Git plenty of wood, friends,"
concluded the woodsman, "and git it
quick, for you'll huvo uso for It mighty
sudden." Portlund Oregonlan.
Edwin, aged three, who fondled his
small cat overmuch and unwisely, ap
poured beforo his mother ono day,
his little face guiltily pained and a
scratch upon his hand.
"What happened?" sho asked.
"I bent tho kitty a little," ho Bald
brlofly. .
Disposing of the iaby.
Llttln Freddy was tho only child In
tho family. Ho had no little sisters or
brothers to play with him, so when
ho was told that a baby sister had
come, ho was very happy. But ho soon
found that fatuor and mother did not
pay so much attention to him as they
formerly had, nnd that baby seemed
to bo considered of more account
than he. Thla worried Freddy; but ho
Biultionly thought of something which
would help him out of his trouble
Somo weeks beforo his fathor had put
a sign up: "Ashes to Give. Away; In
quire Within." Freddy remembered
that a man had como nnd taken tho
ashes away. So ho got to work, and
ono day surprised his fnthor by dis
playing another sign, hung In a promi
nent place: "A fhiBy tO glvo awuY,
INqulre oF FroJMY."
Laundry work at homo would be
much moro satisfactory If tho right
Starch woro UBod. In order to got the
doslrcd stiffness, It is usually neces
Bary to uso bo much starch that tho
beauty nnd flnonoss of tho fabric ia
hidden behind a panto of varying
thickness, which not only destroys tho
appearance, but ahio affects tho wear
ing quality of tho goods. Thla trou
bio can bo ontlroly ovorcomo by using
Defiance Starch, as It can bo applied
much rnoro thinly bocnuso of Its groat
er strength than other makes.
Selfish Etiquette.
Somo rules In an old book on eti
quette seem to encourugo a practlco
commonly called "looking out for num
ber ono." Hero aro two of them:
"When cako is passed, do not fin
ger each pleco, but with a quick
glanco select tho best.
"Novor refuse to taste of a dish bo-
causo you aro unfamlllnr with It, or
you will loso tho tasto of many a del
icacy whllo others profit by your ab
stinence, to your lasting rogrot."
Youth's Companion.
Deafness Cannot Be Cured
t)7 local implications, as tiler ennnut roach Mia til
eased portion of the our. Thero U only imo way to
euro djnfnosit.nnd that Uby constitutional remedial.
nearness in enured ny an inilamcu condition or tno
mucous lining of tlio KusUcblnti Tulio. When tlili
tubo la Inflamed you have n rumbling found or Im
perfect honrlnir, nnd when It I entirely cloned, Deaf
ness Is tho remit, and unless tho InlUuiiniitlon can ha
taken nut nnd this tubo restored to Its normal condi
tion, hoartnit will ho destroyed fororert nliio cases
out of ten nro cuusod by Cntnrrh, which Is nothloit
but nn Inflamed condition of tho mucous surf aeon.
Wa will Klvo Oun Hundred Dollars for nny eaxo or
Dcnfnoss (canned by cntnrrh) thnt cannot fin cured
by Hall's Catarrh Curo. Bond for circulars, free.
K. .1. C1IKNKV A CO., Toledo, O.
Hold ujr unionists, 73c.
Talco Hull's 1'amlly l'llls for constipation.
Successful Demonstration.
Romulus was founding Roiuo.
"What I'm trying to do," ho ex
plained, "Is to show that It Is possiblo
to start a big town without building
it around an oil well or a copper
mlno."
At this Inopportuno momont RemuB
broke In with a remark that tho now
city was a Butte, all right; and ho got
It In tho neck, as you find fully Bot
forth In your Latin reader.
The extraordinary popularity of fino
whl to goods this summer makes the
cholco of Starch a mattor of groat im
portance. Dofianco Starch, being free
from all lnjurloiiB chemicals, ia tho
only ono which is safo to uso on fino
fabrics. Its great strength as a stiffen
or makes half tho UBual quantity of
Starch necessary, with tho result of
perfect finish, equal to that when the
goods were now.
Man falls to make his place good
In the world unless ha adds something
to the common wealth. Emerson.
Truth and
Quality
appeal to the Well-Informed in every
walk of lifo and aro essential to permanent
success and creditable standing. Accor
ingly, it is not claimed that Syrup of Figs
and Utixir of Senna is tho only remedy of
known value, but ono of many reasons
why it is tho best of personal and family
laxatives is tho fact that it cleanses,
sweetens and relieves tho internal organs
on which it acts without any debilitating
after effects and without having to increaso
tho quantity from timo to time.
It acts pleasantly and naturally and
truly as a laxative, and its component
parts aro known to and approved by
physicians, as it is free from all objection
ablo substances. To get its beneficial
effects always purchaso tho genuine
manufactured by tho California Fig Syrup
Co., only, and for sale by all leading drug
gists. ITS
tou sartor from Fits. Falllna Blcknoee or
ftpasms, or have Ohlldrou that do so, my
New Discovery and Treatment
will give thorn Immediate relief, and
all you aro ueked to do Is to scad for
a Froo liottlo of Dr. Uay'e
EPILEPTICIDE CURE
Jnne 30vlt WO. f'omnieto directions, ulitta
tltnonlnU of OUKKH, oto.. FJtKK by mall.
Hrprtit I'rcptiil. lilro AUK and full uddresa
W. M. HAT, ft D., 548 Furl Strut, tliw York.
man it
"VWilThompion't Eye Wttcr
