FIND--WONDERFUL
CONFIRMATIONS--STILL MORE WONDERFUL DETECTIVE
WORK--A NOVEL SURPRISE--THE DEAD ALIVE--AN ABSOLUTE
IDENTIFICATION.

"Great Scott!" cried the old man, as the lid of the box flew off and
disclosed a package of old clothes--yes, old apparel including hat and
boots.

"Here they are," he said; "I don't swear, but darn it, if this isn't
wonderful--yes, it's a surprise after all."

"It is the hand of fate," said the detective, in a solemn tone.

"It's fate or some other darn mysterious thing; but here are the
clothes--the very clothes the old man wore the day he was killed."

The clothes were taken from the case and thoroughly examined, but the
vigilant detective made a discovery which led him to say:

"They are not blood-stained."

"No."

"Is there a mistake?"

"No, sir, no mistake. See, there are the big boots, the broad-brimmed
slouch hat; I'll swear to the clothes."

"But how is it they are not blood-stained?"

"Oh, that is easily explained. The old man struck on his head; it was
concussion of the brain that killed him. The exterior wound was only a
scalp wound. There was no blood on his clothes, as the wound was on the
head only. No, sir, there is no mistake; those are the clothes the old
man wore on the day he was killed, October 19, 18--."

It was a ghastly exhibition under all the circumstances, and the
explanation concerning the blood-stains was very satisfactory and
reasonable, and besides, the clothes answered the description of both of
the old men who had seen their living owner over forty years previously
on the very day he died, for our hero concluded that the man had been
killed on the very day he had deposited the great fortune with the
banker. It was a strange and remarkable find after so many years, and it
made the detective very thoughtful.

"Can I examine the clothes?" he asked.

"Certainly; and prove that you are an honest man and you can have them
to solve any mystery that you may be investigating."

"I am investigating a mystery."

"Will you tell me what it is?"

"I am seeking to solve the dead man's identity."

"You will not find anything in his clothes to aid you."

"I will not?"

"No."

"How is that?"

"Oh, a dozen men went through those clothes, and lastly I did. There was
not a paper or sign of identification of any kind."

"Did he not have any money?"

"No; but let me see, there was an old pocketbook, I remember--I do not
know what became of it--b