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Show THE SPANISH FORK PRESS, SPANISH FORK, UTAH A Lost Identity good-lookin- Tiktn from tha Notebook of an Old Detective by Charles Edmonds Walk And With Nam and Plicas Hlddan Publlihtd at s Proof That Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction This story throbs with Teal- Ism In the words narrowest meaning. It Is a faithful ren- dering of an authentic experl- once In the career of a 'high official of a detective agency whose name Is a household word throughout the English- speaking world. Real names of persons and places are tome- times disguised. In all other re- apects the amazing, often thrilling, always gripping facts are recorded just as they happened. f ' bearing all the countless little marks of breeding and refinement that a girl cant mistake. Yet somehow it im pressed me that he was not dressed for the part; hie clothes were good, correct as to style, but they bad not been chosen by him. They clashed with his personality do you know what Im trying to say?" I "Mr. Hazard, wait! I want to speak with you." Felix Hazard had just descended the "L steps at Fifth avenue and Madison street, and was hurrying to his office at the Sutherland Detective agency, to take up the labors of the day, when his steps were arrested by a soft feminine voice. He stopped lnBtantly, and not without some surprise wheeled round and met the speakers anxious look. He knew the voice. "Certainly, Helen, he agreed. You sound mighty serious." The two drew closer together and moved under the steps away from the jostling sidewalk throng. Nominally, Helen Bertel was a stenographer at the Sutherland offices; but, besides being a strikingly pretty girl with a Dlanallke length of limb and litheness, she had on more than one occasion, when asked to meet an emergency, shown a capability and adaptability that placed her In the rank with the companys best operatives. Accordingly, she drew an operatives salary. Felix Hazard and Helen Bertel were Indeed, it was hard good friends. sometimes for the man to smother the warm glow that was wont to leap into his eyes at sight of her; he made no attempt to hide his admiration, however. The girl smiled faintly. "Perhaps it Is serious, she returned. "Anyhow, its awfully queer what I want to see you about. Im glad we i met here instead of having to wait till j we got to the office. ? "Last night, as maybe you remember, was beautifu- l- full moon and I was out lots later than I should have been, alone in my canoe, and I went out into the lake lots farther than I 1 had an adshould have gone. venture. Her line gray eyes were dancing with suppressed excitement. "In the middle of the lake? Hazard inquired. But I was far "Goodness, no! enough off shore to make It very strange and mysterious. The was behind me at the time, and once when I looked back 1 saw a rowboat It was white like a shell of alabaster on a path of cold silver fire. Felix Hazard smiled whimsically and remarked: "The moons Influence still lingers, 1 see. What a queer girl you are! She made a little mouth at him and went on: "It was empty, or 1 thought it wae; one doesnt find empty skiffs floating on the lake every night, you know; and of course I turned and paddled straight to where It was. understand. Somebody had ex- changed clothing with him either to hide the victim's identity, to set the police on a false scent, or for the more simple motive that your chap's suit was better than his assailants." "That is it. The young man had recovered his senses, but remained silent. He kept watching me with a puzzled expression, as if be felt he ought to know me but couldn't recall my name or where we had met Indeed, everything he looked at even his hands, the lake, the boat, the moon all seemed Btrange to him. "What is your name? I asked him. "Name? he repeated, looking more puzzled than ever. And what .do you think? be didnt know! I soon realized that I had a charge that was as helpless and dependent as a little child. Fancy! It wae nearly midnight, tool, What did you do with him?" The girl colored, but answered steadily: WTiy, just what I thought you or any gentleman, would have done under the circumstances. I felt a responsibility. When I saw how helpless he was I went through his pockets. And he let me proceed as if it were quite the proper thing to do; just watched me in a bewildered sort of fashion. All I found was some envelopes and a postcard. . . . Did you ever hear of Denver Ed Raw- lings?" The yegg? Dont ask foolish tions. Well, the envelopes and the quespost- - Bertel could observe the customary ceremony no further than to murmur Hazards name, and leave it to the other to identify himself as best he could. The waif, however, was by now perMiss Bertel had fectly felt justified in acquainting him with all the circumstances. He realized hie predicament, and was not without a theory to account for it one which showed that he was neither unintelligent nor wholly unread. He was a man of perhaps thirty, and of a pleasing personality and address. I have been mulling the whole thing over, said he, and have come to several conclusions which may or may not be helpful. "First of all with an admiring, grateful, but withal respectful glance at the girl 1 know that Im deucedly lucky to have fallen into such considerate hands in my present plight. "Ive forgotten everything about my-eeup to the time I saw Miss Bertel looking down at me. I suppose I was hit over the head knocked down and out and that the blow has destroyed my memory. You cant imagine how horrible it Is to realize such a state. I have only a confoundedly sore bump to show for whatever adventures I may have passed through. "I do know, though, that Im not the crook the envelopes in my pocket seem to show I am. I've given that phase of the matter more thought than any other. It is possible, of course, that the blow that brought me to this state also knocked all the crooked kinks out of my character; Ive heard of Inherent depravity being cured by cranial operations; but somehow with me I cant believe such to be the case. AH my instincts and inclinations revolt at the very idea of I gross wrongdoing or lawbreaking. feel that I have always been used to g lf ... moon-glar- e Well, it unconscious wasnt empty. A man lay in the bottom, .his while face turned up ghostly to the moon. I thought he was dead; but even while I was holding the two boats together and peering down at him, he opened his eyes and looked up at me. "It was funny! To save my lie I couldnt think pf a wor to say! The Immediate Effect Was Startling. We just stared at each other like tvo ninnies for all of a minute. Then ke card were all addressed to Edward S. an atmosphere and surroundings radiall at once sat up and groaned. Be Rawlings 'Denver Ed. " cally different from those implied by Felix Hazard relaxed from his at- Miss Bertels description of the Rawcaught at his head with both hanls and toppled forward over one of tke tentive attitude, seeming all at once lings type. I feel that I I it's bard j to lose interest. He said in an indif- to say, but I mean that I'm positive thwarts. that I've been accustomed to an enI knew then that he had been lxrt, ferent tone: "I suppose you turned him over to vironment that would be strange to and I got busy. Would you believe It? this Denver Ed and his friends." He hadnt the slightest idea bow ie the nearest copper?" While the young man was speaking The gray eyes flashed, and she regot Injured, or how he happened to Felix Hazard had been watching him be out on the lake in a rowboat 'at torted warmly: j "I did nothing of the kind! Hes intently. He now nodded thoughtfully, nearly midnight more Denver Ed than I am, but a adding: no was I time this menal making "By "For your peace of mind I can ashandsome young man who needs pronote of everything. He bad an sure as much care as If and tection know you that, whoever else you may baby any wlat appearance, you ever did. Why, I had to take him by be, you are not 'Denver Ed' Rawlings. I mean shirt unfastened, shoes hla collar and tie were lying on the band and lead him! I took him I have some acquaintance with the the grating, and his hat was misukig to a rooming bouse that I know of, gentlemen, and I know. Let me have utterly. Also he didn't have an tar and paid for a night's lodging for him. those envelopes and the card. The young man promptly handed The landlady's a friend of mine; she to his name. "He was too weak to help much, md promised to keep an eye on him un- them over. All bore canceled stamps and were addressed to Raa lings, in til until there wasnt another boat in alght same hand, at Louisville, Ky, genwhat?" the two "Until us out in the away just eral delivery. In addition to the ad"Until you came. silent, moonlit lake. I tied my caioe dress the card bore only one written to the boat and towed it back to the line: II. beach; not so easy to do with onlf a j It was not merely that the girl who "July 2, 9 p. m. Same old place. Ingle paddle." Hazard was Intensely Interested, not asked him to go with her happened to July second, observed Hazard, He fell into a alone because the episode was unusial be Helen Bertel that Felix Hazard "was last Thursday. in Itself, but also because he ktew readily consented to do so, but, more- brown study, while his fingers played that Helen Bertel would not be tellng over, because he bad confidence in with the empty envelopes and the him about it' with so much detaf if her sharpness and common sense, and postcard. At last he roused himself she were not moved by some unier-lyin- g felt that he was not sidetracking busi- and said: "I am inclined to believe all you ness of moment in heeding anything purpose. "Well," be prompted her, "whits brought by her to bis notice. In a few have said, Mr. the answer? j The pause fell flatly; the air of exminutes they entered a typical West Why, on the way to land 1 nade side rooming house on a busy street, pectant waiting was natural and peranother discovery several of tlem, and were going through an unusual suasive. The waifs features lighted to tell the truth. Hs is a young ban form of Introduction, inasmuch as Miss up, and it seemed for an instant as aiy-whe- If he were about to supply the name; but at once the light died away, and the features clouded over with a shadow of melancholy. "It's no use, said the young man, I cant remember." You very nearly did," Hazard encouraged; "you will, too, in time. Keep trying. Fasten on to any flash of memory any little detail,' however fragmentary and it will serve with our help to rend the veil from your past. Only have patience; amnesia to ty no means uncommon. Now, I want to ask you to come with us; Miss Bertel and 1 have to get to our place of business. It may be that you are luckier than you imagined; for we both happen to be in the employ of the Sutherland Detective agency "Sutherland!" the other interjected. Ive heard that name! "Can you recall any dealings that you ever had with us in the past?" The man seemed to concentrate all faculties on the effort of remembering; but in the end he shook his head dejectedly. "No, nothing. It was only a flash; there is no association of ideas whatever. "I was about to add," Hazard pursued, that out of common humanity, if for no other reason, I would help you; but there is another reason, and after Ive had time to turn the matter over in my mind we shall see what can be done." The unknown offered no objections to going with them, and as they progressed downtown Felix Hazard watched him narrowly. Only once did the detective address him directly. Chicago is not wholly unknown to you, 1 see. The man turned to him eagerly. By George! Youve hit upon one clear, definite Impression that I have. Somehow it seems as though Id know my way about town alone; yet I have a feeling that Chicago is not where I belong. If I were in my home town I'm confident that places and street names would be familiar not merely like a printed page that has been once read, but like one that I see every day." g They left their unfortunate charge in a comfortable waiting room, while Hazard and the girl repaired to his private office. "Sit down, Helen," Hazard Invited, and lets go over this thing together. "Doesn't it strike you as being odd that this poor chap should have had four empty envelopes In his pocket, not one of them containing a scrap of the original letters?" I hadnt thought of It before," the girl replied, "but they were placed there purposely." Left there purposely, Hazard corrected. "Those are Rawlings clothes; he bas this mans, or Im sadly mistaken. But the four envelopes they and the postcard are all addressed In the same hand; the envelopes were all postmarked at New York; but the card bearing the latest date was mailed in Chicago. , "And your conclusion is, appended MIbs Bertel, "that a rendezvous was arranged; that the card definitely fixed the time and place. "Exactly. Now, then, heres something you dont know. "The first of this month a contract Is going to be awarded to the successful bidder for the construction cf the Wrye Neck ship canal in Massachusetts a enterprise. Just between ourselves, the Hercules Construction company of Chicago Is the only one among some seven or eight bidders that Is at all likely to be successful, because it Is the only one of the lot that Is able to put up the heavy cash bond required. The others might In time, of course; but the Hercules people have the cash, and thats what counts. ' "Last Thursday July 2, bear in mind Henry Biddle of the Hercules company received word that one John Prince of Prince & Penthouse, a big firm of New York engineers, would arrive in Chicago with certain drawings and specifications that are of vital Importance tn connection with the projected canal work. He should have come Friday morning, and Biddle and one or two others of the company were at the station to meet Prince. Well, be didn't show up. I see, Miss Bertel Interposed. "Prince Is missing and you hoped 1 had found him for you." Correct But your protege is not John Prince; Prince Is a much older man. "Friday went by, and no news from the meesenger. Then Biddle became alarmed. The Hercules people had reason to move cautiously, you under: stand; the matter had been kept as secret as possible; but it began to look as though they had been circumvented by tbelr enemies, if these particular plans and specifications fall into the hands of a certain competing concern it will be all up with Biddle and his crowd. "Well, by the time Biddle got busy on the wire Friday, Prince A Penthouse had closed not to open again till today, because Saturday, the fourth, was a holiday, and then he called us in. We have been scouring the city for Prince without picking up a trace of him. "Stealing those papers Is just the sort of stunt that Rawlings and his gang would pull off. Hazard called police headquarters on the telephone and Inquired whether "Denver Ed Rawlings was known to be In the city. The reply came bock that Rawlings and two confederates well known to the police had been In Chicago at least since the third (Friday), and that they were being watched. ' Pinch the whole mob, Hazard earnestly requested, "Just as soon as you can get the order out Ill tell you chair and caused his grip to relax.. In less than a minute, however, the why you want them by the time young fellow recovered consciousness theyre brought In. and looked about in a dazed, bewilIV. dered way. Helen Bertel and Felix Hazard and Miss Bertel returned to Hazard, who were bending over him, the room where they bad left the un- be Beemed not to recognize at all. Igknown. For upwards of an hour the noring them, he rose unsteadily to his detective tried to assist the young feet. His gaze straightway fell upon man to penetrate the veil that bung "Denver Ed Rawlings securely held over his past, but all to no purpose. between two uniformed men. "You dirty tbugl he gritted. Then Enlarging upon tbe story be bad told Miss Bertel, be repeated numerous to the policemen: "You chaps didnt times all the names that muBt bave get here any too soon; that rascal wasi been familiar to anyone having con- about to drop me Into the river. . . . nection with the firms under consid- Why, hes got my clothes on! in a. eration, or any association with the sudden burst of recognition. "Do you know him? Hazard inhuge enterprise that was of such mo' ' ment to his supposed confreres. The quired. reKnow him! exclaimed unknown sat shaking his head and tbe ether.. peating: "It is all strange to me," or "I know him for a crook and a black"I never heard that name before. leg. Tried to make me believe be Hazard gave up In despair. Where- was Henry Biddle strung me along; upon Miss Bertel, who bad remained a till he got me into this Joint no, this silent but Interested spectator, was Isnt the place, either; 1 must have at once Inspired. She rose and laid been knocked silly. We were on a a sheet of paper an a desk and banded river dock where a lot of small boats a pencil to tbe young man. Outside, were moored. Three huskies Jumped there was almost a constant roar from me at once. Last thing I knew they passing elevated trains. She pointed were tumbling me Into one of tb to the structure and motioned to the boats. You are from Frlnce & Penthouse ? desk. Draw that," she commanded "the Hazard pressed him. The young man returned a quesL span right in front of you. Without demur the young man seat- tioning look, but answered: "Yes. Friable Is my name Carl ed himself at the desk and bent over the paper; but at once he reached out FrlBbie. At the last moment Mr. a hand and groped for something he Prince was taken ill, and I bad in bis stead. Are you Mr could not find. Next Instant he started to hie feet Biddle?" No, but Im representing him. Ill The pencil dropped from his fingers, and like a man suddenly roused from explain everything by and by. Do you sleep he stood blinking at Hazard and remember this lady? Frisbio glanced at Helen and colthe girl. I I 1 can't draw It to scale, he ored with embarrassment "I I I think not," be stammered. stammered, "not without my my "I never saw her before." lie suddenly broke off and shouted: Helen and Hazard exchanged "I know now Im a draftsman! glances and smiled, detecting which Frlsble pleaded: V. "Wbat the dickens does it all mean? Although Felix Hazard and Helen Bertel were both Jubilant over the suc- Ive bad the devils own time since cess of her strategem, tbe unknown landing In Chicago. , "All In good time, Mr. Frlsble; there was ptunged into depths of despondency even more profound than be- are a number of explanations to ne fore. ;nade all round. First, though, about the papers you To think!" he groaned. "I wae almost blinded by the vividness of it were to bring' The other interrupted: all; I had everything In my grasp; By George, that crook didnt get then puff! and the curtain dropped 1 wus theml In closed. veil the rift the taking no chances. Beagain, Hazard encouraged fore leaving New York I mailed them "Cheer up, You are coming on famously. to myself, registered, care ot the him. Let's all go get a bite to eat, then Blackstone hotel. 1 suppose they or a . well drop in on my friend Cowles over notice are there now. Some time later, when Felix Hazard, at police headquarters. An hour later Lieutenant Cowles Carl Frlsble and Helen Bertel gathoffice, the greeted tbe trio at police headquar- ered in the young engineer was Incredulous when ters. "I bave the whole mob, be an- told that he had lost a whole twenty-fou- r hours out of bis life, but after a nounced, eyeing Hazard. "Keep your while he believed, and could not find me and I'm tell promise why holding them ; I dont want to get into trouble. words to express his gratitude. As "Youll get into the newspapers; a matter of fact, bis demeanor toward thats about the worst that will hap- Helen was so ardent that Hazard expen to you, returned Hazard. "Fetch perienced a peculiar feeling ot resentment against him; hto Interest In the in Rawlings. The immediate effect of that indi- affair promptly grew lukewarm. And when, finally, the connection bevidual's appearance was startling and tween Denver Ed" and the Hercules Before could a lift anyone thrilling. hand to Interfere the unknown leaped company's competitor was established, at Rawlings and tbe two went to the and Rawlings and an official ot floor In a fighting, snarling heap. They company were convicted ot thrashed about so furiously that It was criminal conspiracy, tne detective reImpossible, until some seconds bad ceived the news with an exclamation elapsed, for any of the several po- of impatience. Mlsa Bertel, who told him about it, licemen present to secure a handhold upon either of the combatants. gave him a sly look. When presently they were dragged Perhaps, she demurely added, "you apart Rawlings was colorless and think they should have gotten longer gasping for breath, while the other stretches; but I for one ieel sorry for He looked so lay inert, a hln trickle of blood from poor Ed Rawlings. a wound above one temple Indicating handsome tn Mr. Frlsble clothes." where bis head had struck against a (Copyright, 1515, by W. O. Chapman.) , 1 flrst-named- s |