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Show (Copyright, by W. U. Chupmun.) On certain morning toward the end of September In the year 1897 1 received the following letter: Dear Sir: I have been asked to call on you by a mutual friend. General Cornwallis, who accompanied my stepdaughter and myself on board the Osprey to New York. I hope to call to see you or send a representative about eleven o'clock today. Tho general thinks that you can give me advice on a matter of Importance. 1 am a Spanish lady. My homo Is In Brazil, and I know nothing of New York or Its customs. 1 w:sh to take a Louse near New York and to settle down. This house must be isolated, and In tbe midst of large grounds, and must have extensive cellars or basements, as my wish Is to furnish a laboratory In order to carry on scientific research. The general said that as you were a scientist yourself you would understand Just what I wanted and be willing to advise me. "Yours sincerely, STELLA SCAIFFE. The letter was dated from the Man-to- n hotel, and I smiled as 1 read it It was so like old General Cornwallis to Imagine Just because a lady was Interested In scientific pursuits that I should at once become Interested In her to the degree of adopting the role of a real estate agent and spend valuable time chasing around in the endeavor to find a house which would suit her. But it so happened that a cousin of mine, who was extremely 111 and under my care In a hospital, was hard pressed for money and wanted to rent an and somewhat gruesome mansion he owned which was situated In a lonely part of the Bronx. It occurred to me that this house might suit the general's acquaintance and that I could do both her and my cousin a good turn at the same time. At eleven oclock my servant handed me a card bearing the name, Lilas Muriel Scalffe, and a few moments later a slight, English girl entered the room. She Informed me that she was Mrs. Scaiffes and that she had come to see me in reference to the house, which they were desirous of renting within a week. The girl was pretty, and her smile was wistful and sweet, although with a tinge of melancholy In It On the whole, she Impressed me favorably, and 1 Informed her that although such matters were hardly in my line; It so chanced that there was a house belonging to a relative of mine, called The Rosary, and situated In a somewhat Isolated spot in the Bronx, which I imagined would suit her 1 also told her that If slie wished 1 would meet her there at three o'clock on the following day, when she could view the Interior of the mansion for herself. To this she agreed, and at the appointed hour I presented myself at the gates of The Rosary. A carriage was waiting, and as 1 approached a tall lady With dark I saw at a eyes stepped out of had not the that young lady glance accompanied her. and when she introduced herself as Mrs. Scalffe we proceeded to view the house. The Rosary had been unlet and neglected for a considerable time, and the grounds had a desolate and gloomy apappearance But the Spanish lady iiuc-rluthe with well pieabud peared as well as the exterior of the place, and particularly wuh the numerous cellars, one ot which she prououncea exactly fitted lor a laboratory. My brother, Scnor Mcrello joins na here next week," she said He 1 and are scientists, Dr. Halifax, and trust scientists ot no mean order. We have come here for the purpose ot conducting experiments, and this house is the one of all others lor us Everything went oil without a hitch The Rosary passed Into the hands of Mrs. Scalffe and those of her brother, Senor Mcrello. a tali, dark, handsome man. A week or two passed by, when one afternoon l was astonished to receive a visit from Muriel Scalffe. "1 have come to see you on a matter ot vital Importance, Ur. llalliax,- she now even for 1 cannot said linger, followed. You are a 1 fear 1 am Digby. the fabesom friend ol mous discoverer and travel r, for ho 1 told me so. It was on that account come to you persuaded mother to falr-halre- d step-daught- st?p-mothe- r. it know nothing about us. I have grave reasons for what I say. When we took The Rosary I did not know that matters were so awful; Indeed, I was aware then that Mr. Digby was returning to New York. But last night 1 overheard something I cannot say more. Only keep Oscar Digby away, and if possible do not betray me. Yet If there Is no other way, tell him that , Muriel Scalffe, said so." She rose and stood regarding me piteously for an Instant "I must fly, she said. If this visit Is discovered iny life Is worth very little. After she had gone I sat In amazement pondering over the strangeness of the occurrence. It seemed to me that the girl must be temporarily insane, but nevertheless I was haunted and disturbed by her mysterious caution. And when on the next day Digby, whom I had not seen for years, called unexpectedly, I recalled Miss Scalffes visit with feelings of decided Before Digby went apprehension. away he and I had been very close friends, and I was delighted to see him again. Ills broad forehead, his keen blue eyes, hts strong, muscular hands, all denoted strength of mind and body. "Well, Halifax, he said, "I have a good deal to tell you. I have made an amazing discovery. I do not know whether you are sufficiently conversant with places on the Bat, anyhow, I want to Inglobe. form you that there is a wonderful region, little known, which lies on the watershed of tbe Essequibo and Amazon rivers. And there 1 have discovered a spot close to Lake Amacu that Is simply laden with gold. The eetl mates computed on my specimens and reports make it out to be the richest place In the world. The whole thing Is as yet a close secret, and 1 have come to New Yorlf to put It Into the hands of a big financier. A company must be formed with a capital of 20;- 000.- 000 to work It "Have you charta of the location !" 1 asked. "Yes, but those I would rather not disclose, even to you, old man. Just 1, chart Mrs. Scalffe did not press him further, and the evening passed away without any event of Importance hating transpired. During our Journey back to the city I mentioned to Digby that Lancaster had wired to say int hp would be at his office prepared for a meeting on Friday. This was Monday night. Also, I again impressed on him the fact that I did not trust Mrs. Srlaffe or her brother, and warned him to keep the chart out of their hands. He promised, nnd I left him. On Tuesday I saw nothing of Digby, and on Wednesday evening, when I returned home late, I received the following letter: Do not think I am mad. I have bribed the kitchen maid, the only American woman in the whole house, to post this for me. I was forced to call on Mr. Digby and to engage myself to him. I atn now strictly confined to my room under pretence of Illness. In reality I am quite well, hut a prisoner. Mr. Digby dined here again last night, and under the influence of a certain drug Introduced into his wine, has given away the whole of his discovery, except the exact location. He Is to take supper here again late night (Thursday) and to bring the chart. If he does, he will never leave The Rosary alive. All Is "Then what are we to do? I asked. "Leave the matter in my hands until I make a few Inquiries, said Frost. "In the meantime you might see Digby and try to persuade him not to go to The Rosary. That would simplify things a whole loL I will call at your house at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Tbe next morning I called on Digby and found him at breakfast. I would like to have you make a run out of town with mo, Digby, I said. We can get hack in time for our Interview with Lancaster In the morning. "Sorry, Halifax," he responded, but the fact la I have an engagement to cat a late supper at The Rosary tonight. I wish you would not' go, I said. Digby, If ever people were playing to gee you fhto their hands, they are. Why, haven't you already told them most of yoor secret? I don't know how you happen to know that, he said. Impatiently, but 1 admit its truth. Mrs. Scalffe and Mcrello will join me In this matter. I see no reason why things should be kept dark from them. It doesn't strike me as exactly fair to Lancaster, I remarked. "He can't objkct to possible wealthy returned Digby. "And shareholders, once for all, old man, remember that I dislike being interfered with, and that I believe in the Scalffes. So goodby I will see you In for the present. Lancaster's office tomorrow at 1L I saw that farther argument was useless and went back home. At five that afternoon Frost made his appearance and I narrated the matter in which Digby had repulsed my well-meaadvice. You have done all you could, comNow for my part of mented Frost the business, I must tell you that the affair promises to be of the most serious kind. I have been busy since 1 saw you, used the cables a bit, and through the kindly assistance of a nt the man we were expecting slighted from it. Frost stepped up and uwch-e- d I am a pohim on the shoulder. lice officer, Mr. Digby, he said, as Oscar wheeled around and faced film. Your friend here. Dr. Halifax, has warned you not to go Into that house. 1 repeat his warning. There is danger in wait for you. For answer Digby thrust his hand fhto his pocket, produced a note and handed it to me. "Read that, Halifax, he said, and you will see why 1 cannot refuse to enter the house. I tore the letter from its envelope and read in the moonlight. "Come to me. I am snfferlag and in danger. Do not fall me. MurieL "You are mad, Digby, I said. "That note Is a forgery. "All the same, I am going," he said, crisply, "and alone, too. I dont want any outside Interference In what promises to be a family affair. "Since you are determined, then," said Frost, remember that in case of trouble we will be here to help you. Furthermore, I may as well tell yoa that it you are not out of the house by one o'clock we shall enter it and make sure that all is right. Digby merely nodded, and walked We watched quickly up the drive. him ring the bell. The door was opened by the negro servant, and he entered. Frost and 1 settled down to our long wait with the best patience we could summon for the occasion. The minutes seemed to crawl, ll o'clock sounded from the steeple of a distant The bouse church, then half-pasremained wrapped in silence. Once FTost whispered to me, and we listened attentively. It certainly eeemed to me as though a dull muffled sound, as of pounding or hammering, was faintly audible, but whether It came from the house or not, it was impossible to tell. Ai a quarter of twelve the one remaining window with a light In It became suddenly dark. Still there was no sign of Digby. Midnight chimed and the remaining moments wenff-b- y In intense anxiety. As the deep boom of one o'clock was heard the lnspectr or laid his hand on my arm. "Come along, doctor, he whispered. He whistled low as he spoke, and a rustle in the bushes around us told that Frost's assistants were on the alert. We asce-vthe steps, and we could hear tua whirr of the front door bell within, as the inspector pressed the button. In less time than we had expected we heard the bolts shoot back. The door was flung open, electric lights sprang into a glare, and my eyes fell on Mrs. Scaiffe. "Rather an odd hour for a social call, Dr. Halifax, she said, coolly. May 1 inquire why 1 am so hont. ored?" Frost strode forward and laid his hand on her arm with an imperative gesture. 1 am a police officer, madam,'' he said grimly, "and demand to know where Mr. Oscar Digby la He entered here at a quarter past ten tonight From that moment the house has been yet" "Well, Oscar, 1 said the man you require is Horace Lancaster, tbe biggest financier in New York today. He is a good friend and patient ot mine, and if you can satisfy him with your charts and specimens he will undoubt edly float the company. Unfortunately, 1 happen to know that he is at present in Pans, and won't be beck for a week. You are prepared to await his return?" "Yes, if you think it best. he responded. "Will you dine with me st my club tonight, and talk things over? "With pleasure, I responded. "By the way," continued Digby, some friends ot mine, Brazilians, ought to be in New York now; a lady ot the name ot Scaiffe, wltn her pretty an English gin. little 1 should like to introduce you to them. 1 had a letter from Mrs. Scaiffe as 1 was leaving Brazil, telling me that they were en route for Nev York and asking me to look them up In town. Her brother, Senor Merello, is a most charming man." "It l were you, 1 said, gravely, 1 would have nothing to do with those surrounded' and closely watched. He must therefore be here. "Mr. Digby is not In the house, responded Mra Scaiffe defiantly. An adjoining door opened, and Senor Merello made his appearance. She looked up at him and smiled, then said carelessly: Gentlemen, this Is my brother, We found crouching) beoide step-daught- l h!ij';n to Know there whereabouts, and tne Utile girl doeB not Better want you to call on them. take nor advice. Digby; she looked good and true." He gazed at me in evident surprise ar-a trifle put out. "True." sivim-Of course she Is true. l;e tell you, Halifax, i am quite fond ot her. The mother I mean the stepI mother is a magnificent woman. was staying at their Quinta last winter. But don't understand your lias little Murid lot her warning. head? and frightened. She is anxious The whole thing seems absurd. But she certainly was in earnest when she begged me to keep you away from her and I half promised to respect her secret, and not reveal to you where they are at present Digby did not seem pleased at this candid avowal, but he made no comment and took his departure. That evening we dined together, and went Into the subject of his great discovery He showed me his specimens and reabout the house. ports and Interested me so much that 1 "Certainly 1 know Digby," respond- 1, too, began to long for Lancaster's ed "Indeed, 1 may lay claim to being speedy return. Three or four days his greatest friend. Where Is he, and passed and the financier was still detained In Paris. One afternoon Digby what Is be doing? "He Is on his way to New York," rushed excitedly Into my room. Well, Halifax, be cried, "you cant she replied. Even now be mat have landed, lie brings great ucs, and fight against fate. The little girl has the moment he seta foot In this city discovered herself. She came to see he Is In dnnger. He Is your friend, me at my hotel and declared that she and It Is your duty to save him. just couldnt keep away. 1 took her 1 to save him from. Into my arms and hugged her. We am what "But Miss Scalffe? You are speaking wild- will have a wedding when the comand this evening, old ly. Don't make such ambiguous state- pany Is floated, ments, pray. You must be more ex- chap, I dine at The Rosary. You see, I know all about tbe secret retreat of plicit." Scalffes by this time. I dine there Into a the and trembled She dropped tonight, and they want you to come, chair. I am not brave enough to explain too. 1 can only reI was about to refuse, when some more fully, she said. Influenced me to see tbe affair him Tell In Is he Impulse that danger. peat and I consented to accomIf ns. he to with do through, to have nothing mentlors our names, pretend that you pany my friend. We arrived at The r Rosary between seven and eight oclock. Mrs. Scaiffe received us. Diamonds flashed in her raven black hair and glittered around her shapely neck. The pale little Muriel looked quite Insignificant beside this gorSenor Merello was geous creature. a masculine edition of his handsome sister. At dinner we were served by Spanish servants, nr:d a repulsive looking negro of the name of Samson stood behind Lira. Scaiffe s chair. She was In high spirits, and openly alluded to the great discovery. You must show us the eharts, my friend, she said to Digby. As regards anything else, command me, was his reply, but not the pro;-!?- . d rcit-aind- . 1 1 step-mothe- r, the bed. prepared. Dont betray me, but save mm. The letter fell lrom my hands. What did it mean? Was Digby s life really in danger, or was tbe girl who had written mad. Tbe letter was without a signature, but ot course 1 knew that Muriel was the writer. 1 read it over again, and became convinced that It told the truth, and that Muriel was perfectly sane. 1 resolv'd not to disregard the warnng, and late aB tbe hour was 1 left the house and sought , the residence of my Inspector one of keenest the and most Frost, trustworthy rolice offictrs on the New York force. 1 found the inspector, a man of 3', at tall, home and not yet retired. Without mincing matters, I came to the pont at once and narrated the whole, story of the past few weeks. Frosts gray eyes shone with interest, os he perused Muriels letter. "Im glad yon cam" he said, when he had finished nailing. There are four curious points about this case. First, your friend has this valuable secret about the spot where ihe gold is to be 'found, a secret which may be worth anything. Secondly, he Is very Intimate with Mrs. Scalffe, her and her brother. The Intimacy started in. Brazil. Thirdly, be la engaged to the who evidently is being used as a sort of tool, and is herself in absolute terror, and so far as I can make out, is not especially In love with Digby. Fourthly, Mrs. Scalffe and her brother lire determined fit all hazards to secure the chart whlrh Digby is to hand o them evening. The girl thinks this so important that she has practically risked her lire to give you the warning. By the way, didnt you say that Lancaster was to meet yon and Digby at 11 o'clock on Friday morning? Well, 1 suppose that Mrs. Scalffe and her brother know of this. Now, If Digby goes to Tbe Rosary tomorrow evening that Interview with Lancaster will probably never take place. 1 believe, Halifax, that the Scalffes intend to be the sole possessors of that secret, snd mean to get It from him before he sees Lancaster. And the chances are that if he gives It up to them he will never leave that house alive. square-shouldere- step-daught- d United States secret service man who happens to be in Brazil right now on a government case, 1 got some details about the operations of Mrs. Scaiffe and her precious brother. Unfortunately there Is really nothing against them that would Justify us in laying hands on them. But from what 1 have learned 1 judge that they are in a conspiracy with a notorious gang in Brazil to force Digby to disclose the exact position of the gold mine. 1 also know that Mrs. Scaiffe is in coinm:nlcation with some suspicious characters both In New York and Brazil. It's a cinch that she means to get possession of Dlgbys chart when he visits ti house tonight. Now we can't him from going there against his will, he can be perand I dunt suaded to stay away. Therefore, we will be on hand, at The Rosary tonight, a number of my and will have men stationed in tbe grounds as soon as it becomeX'd.qtlt-.- - If Digby insists bn going In.Tbere will be protection outside, at all events, in case of trouble. And If ho doesnt come out after a reasonable time has elapsed, Ira going in after him. The Inspectors plan seemed to be the most feasible that could be adopt ed, and I agreed to accompany him. Digby bad said that he was invited to a late supper, and therefore It was nearly ten oclock when we arrived at The Rosary. As Frost and I passed lane beside the down the dimly-li- t wall, a figure emerged from out the gloom and came toward us. As it approached I saw it was one of the Inspectors sleuths. "Anything new. Boh? queried his k-- produced brandy and gave her a few drops. She taure to in a couple of minutes, and began to moun feebly. After a little while she became calm and finally fell into a deep slumber. Then 1 left her and hastened back to the laboi story, intent on trying an experiment which hud occurred to me on my last visit there. Meanwhile Frost and his men had not been Idle. Convinced that Digby or Digby's dead body was concealed somewhere around the premises, they enbegan a systematic search of the tire house from roof to basement. Pick and crowbar were ruthlessly applied, floorings were tom up end rafters cut through. Walls were pierced and bored through, closets and cupboards ransacked. The very bucks of fireplaces were torn the out, and the chimneys explored. At last Frost called me- upstairs. He was leaning against the- wall, looking bewildered. "This is beyond me altogether, doctor," he said. There is absolutely no trace of Digby. alive or dead. this "Look here. Frost." I said, ont worked' logically. be to has thing If Digby left this house he went up, Up fa out of down, or horizontally. In a If he disappeared (he question. balloon or was shot off the roof be must have teen seen by us, for the He certainly house was surrounded. did not pass through the cordon of men. lie did not go down, for- every cubic foot of basement and cellar has been accounted for, as well as every cubic foot of space In the house. So we come to the chemical change of matter. Dissipation Into gas by heat. There are no furnaces, no ashesv no gar cylinders, nor dynamos, nor carbon points. Tbe time when we- lost sight of him to the time of entrance .. was exactly two hours and If you come with me, I think I can throw some light on the problem. I went down to the laboratory again, followed by Frost. When we reached the basement I pointed to the machine with eteel blocks and the great metal - - three-quarters- tank.. There Is the explanation of Digbys disappearance, I said.. "He Is dead, FYost, and we will never see his body. No Inquest can be held, for there la nothing to hold It on. The winds hare taken him and scattered Jiim In dust on grounds. I arrived at my present conclusion by a process of elimination. Into that tank which contained liquid air, Digby, gagged and bound, must have been placed vl lently,. probably after he had the chart. Death would htiTfe v been Instantaneous, and he woukj have been frozen Into complete solidity in something like 40 minute.' The ordk nary laboratory experiment is to freeze a rabbit, which can be then powdered Into mortar like any other friable stone. The operation here has been the- same. It Is only a question of size. Remember we are dealing with 312 degrees below Fahrenheit That big machine over there is a stone breaker, and on the blocks 'of steel bs longing te It 1 found this. 1 held up a teat tube containing a blue liquid. This is the Guiacum test, FYost. In other words, blood. This fact taken with the facts we already know, that Digby? never left the house; that thn only other agent of destruction of a body, fire, is out of the question; that this tank is the receptacle of that given--awa- Senor Merello. The senor bowed but did not speak. enormous machine for making liquid "Once again, Mra Scaiffe, broke In air In very large quantities; and abovx Ftost "what have you done with Mr. all, the practical possibility of the operation being conducted by the msn Digby? He Is not here, she said, angrily. who are at present in tbe bouse, afford me conclusive proof beyond a posYou can look for yourselves. said Very well," Frost, calmly. sibility of doubt as to what has hap "Then you, madam, this gentleman, pened. The body of that unfortunate and all your servants are under ar- man Is ea if It never had been. "You have proved your case, docrest until we find him. Mrs. Scalffe eyed the Inspector vin- tor, said Frost, fetching a dees dictively but made no reply. Tbe ope- breath when I had finished. "It Is by rations-which followed were conduct- long odds the most extraordinary The establishment, con- crime I ever heard of. Well, there's ed raptlly. sisting of Mrs. Scalffe, her brother, nothing to do but take these- parties two SianlKh two maids, along, and see if we can t g;t. someone of Spanish extraction, and the thing in the way of a confess! jn out ol negro who- had opened the door to us, them." Before 1 left that awful house I were summoned and placed In tne charge of one of Frost's detectives. made arrangements to havn Muriel Mui:el Scaiffe was nowhere to be Scalffe conveyed to a private hospital. sem Then we began to anarch' the Thin was done, and for many weeks houe. in the basement the large she hovered between life ind death. cellar which hud attracted Mrs. Meanwhile Mrs. Scalffe, lj?r brother Scaiffc s pleased surprise, had now and their servants were detained by been fitted up as a laboratory. 1 ex- the police. In the long r m. the avffo amined it closely. It was evidently "servant weakened and ixmressod bis used for tho manufacture of chemi- complicity in the crime, to the extent cals on a large scale. All the latest of fetching the senseless body ot Digby chemical and electrical apparatus, :o the laboratory, after the luttjer had were to be found there, as well as been drugged. Throuyji the evidence several large machines, the purposes given by this witness tor tin.- state the of which were not evident. One in brother and sister wort cun led for particular I specially noticed. It was Digby's murder, but owing t the aba big tank with a complicated equip- sence of the murdered man's body, a ment for the manufacture of liquid sir lecbnical plea by their lawyers result-- I 1 la large quantities. for lingered here ed in a sentence ot quite awhile, and suddenly a hideous life; instead or capital punishment. possibility presented itself to uly mind. Senor Merello, however, gnnnnged to Just then, however, I remembered Mu- - commit suicide In. his cell at the he was t riel, and turned to Join FYost in his Tombs prison the wondering If any harm had have been removed to Sing Sing and Ids sister died within come to the girl. Our search In the upper regions was equally unsuccess- six months after she began serving ful. We were Just going downstairs her sentence, ot typhoid fever The again when Frost drew my attention chart for which, murder had been comto a door which we had aot yet open- mitted never cjwkc to light ngui and ed. It was locked, but we burst It it was supposed that Mrs. Scalffe had Within, we found a girl destroyed it rath r than allow anyone open. crouching beside the bed. She turned, ' else to benefit by tbe Information It saw my face, and suddenly dung to contained. me. It was MurieL Meanwhile Muriel grew better. I Have you found him; Is he safe? was interested In her froia tbe first. A year ago she became my wife. she asked. I I do not know, my dear, I replied, think she Is happy, and know that the trying to soothe her. "We are look- past has ceased to trouble her. I have long ego come to regard her as the ing for him. Did he come to the house? I have beet and truest woman living. i been locked in her all day and heav- men-servant-s, - eu boli-ev- - Iniprls-tMimen- I t day-befsr- superior. Not a thing, was the reply. "Mr. Digby hasnt arrived yeL The Inspector nodded and we passed out Ipto the road together. There Is still a chance of your being able to jiersuade him not to go In)" said FYyt "Suppose you try when he comes? I tell you frankly that I believe his life isnt worth ten cents If he trusts himself In there alone tonight. Yet we cant prevent a man from going into a ily drugged." "He came In. We ere searching for house If be wants to. HI do tho best I can," I said, "but I him, and hope to find him. That you will never do, she cried, don't believe it will do much good. I had scarcely finished speaking and fell fainting on the floor We placed her on the bed. Wont when a cab drove up to the cates, and , More Confortable. Caddie Master-- What kind of cad die do you want, sir? Nervous Novice Well like a boy who know very little about the erI'd game-Sk- e1 t |
