VOL. XXXIII
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cg=s—eag i J i ..i. 11 » ■» i' ,-JJu —— -- -
JUC QUtZSTI-pW is often,.asked, What Taint shall vc use?
H THE'ANSWER: V you are locking for covering
_ \ L , capacity, wearing qualities, general appearance, and
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{THESHERWIN-WILLIAMS
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THE BUTLER CITIZENT
One lot Women's Rubber Boots at 75c
One lot Boys' A Youths" " 75c & sl-25
Men's Buckle Arctics at. . osc
Men's Rubber Boots at $2, $2.25 , $2.50
Men's Wool Boots with Rubbers #1.60
the best ever offered for the money.
Boys' Wool-Boots and Rubbers at.1.35
Women's Rubbers at 2C)C
Women's Buckle Arctics at. ■••7s c
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What You Need
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Economical
People
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WE don't try how cheap
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SUTLER, PA., THURSDAY. JANUARY US, IBi)ti.
COPYAjca. '.ass. By a P Putnam's SOfrS f
' ' a
CHAPTER I.
A OBTTTLBMAM THINKS HK CAN" COMMTT A
mnrtj ANT) ESCAPE DETECTION.
"Jack Barnes never gets left, you
bet."
■'"Chat a close call, though," re
plied the Pullman porter who had given
Mr. Barnes a helping hand in his des
perate effort to board the midnight ex
press as it rolled out of Boston. "I
wouldn't advise you to jump on moving
trains often."
"Thank you for your good advice and
for your assistance. Here's a quarter for
you. Show me to my section. lam near-
Iv dead, I am so tired."
"Upper 10. Right this way, sir. It is
all ready for you to turn in."
When Mr. Barueo entered tho coach,
no one was in sight. If there were other
passengers, they were abed. A few min
utes later he himself was patting two
little bags of feathers and placing one
atop of the other in a vain attempt to
make them serve as one pillow. He had
told tho porter that he was tired, and
this was so true that be should hav4
fallen asleep quickly. Instead his brain
seemed specially active and sleep im
possible.
Mr. Barnes—Jack Barnes, as ho called
himself to the porter—was a detective,
and counted ODO of the shrewdest in
New York, where he controlled a pri
vate agency established by himself. He
had just completed what he considered
a mast satisfactory piece of work. A
largo robbery had been committed in
New York, and suspicion of the stron
gest nature had pointed in the direc
tion of a young man who had immedi
ately been arrested. For ten days tho
press of the country had been trying and
convicting the suspect, during which
time Mr. Barnes had quietly left tho
metropolis. Twelve hours before we met
him those who read the papers over their
toast had beon amazed to learn that tho
suspect was innocent and that the real
criminal had been apprehended by the
keen witted Jack Barnes. What was bet
ter, he had recovered the lost funds,
amounting to $30,000.
He had had a long chase after his
man, whom he had shadowed from city
to city and watched day and night, ac
tuated to this course by a slight clew in
which ho had placed his faith. Now,
his man fast in a Boston prison, he was
on his way to New York for requisition
papers. As ho had said, he was tired,
yet despite his need of complete rest his
thoughts persisted in rehearsing all the
Intricate details of tho reasoning which
had at last led him to the solution of
the mystery. As ho lay in his upper
berth awake these words reached his
ears:
"If I knew that miui Barnes was aft
er me, I should simply surrender. "
This promised to lie the beginning of
an entertaining conversation, and as he
could not sleep Mr. Barnes prepared to
listen. Extensive experience as a detect
ive had made him long ago forget the
philosophic arguments for and against
eavesdropping. The voice which had at
tracted him was low, but his ears were
keen. Ho located it as coming from the
section next ahead of his, No. 8. A sec
ond voice replied:
"I have no doubt that you would.
But I wouldn't. You overestimate the
ability of the modern detective. I
should actually enjoy being hounded by
one of them. It would be so much pleas
ure, and, I think so easy, to elude him. "
The last npeaker possessed a voice
which was musical, and ho articulated
distinctly, though ho scarcely ventured
above a loud whisper. Mr. Barnes cau
tiously raised his head, arranging his
pillows so that his ear would bo near
the partition. Fortunately tho two men
next to him had taken the whole sec
tion, and the upper berth had been al
lowed to remain closed. Mr. Barues
now found that he could readily follow
the conversation, which continued thus:
"But see how that Barnes tracked
this Pettingill day and night until ho
had trapped him. Just as the fellow
supposod himself safe he was arrested.
You must admit that was clever work."
"Oh, yes, clever enough in its way,
but there was nothing specially artistic
about it. Not that tho detective was to
blame. It was tho fault of the criminal.
There was uo chance for tho artistic."
Yet Mr. Buruos had used that very ad
jective to himself in commenting upon
his conduct of this case. Tho man con
tinued: "Tho crime itself was inartis
tic. Pettingill bungled, Barnes wag
shrewd enough to detect the flaw, and
with his experience and skill in sucn
cases tho end was inevitable.''
"It seems to me either that you have
not read the full account of tho case or
else you do not appreciate tho work of
the detective. Why, all tho clew he had
was a button.''
"Ah ! Only a button, but such a but
ton ! That is where I say that tho crimi
nal was inartistic. Ho should not havo
lost that button.''
"It was an accident, I suppose, and
ono against which ho could not have
guarded. It was ono of the exigencies of
his crime."
"Exactly so, and it is theso little ac
cidents, always unforeseen, though ul
ways occurring, which hang so many,
and jail so many, and give our detect
ives such an easy road to faino. That is
tho gist of tho whole matter. It is an
unequal game this between tho criminal
and tho detective."
"I don't catch what you aro driving
at."
"T'llgtvo you a dissertation on crime.
Attend ! In ordinary business it is brains
Versus brains. The professional man con
tends with his fellows, and if he would
win the raco toward fortune ho must
6how more brains. Tho commercial man
competes with other tradesmen all as
clever as himself. So it goes from tho
lawyer to tho locksmith, from tho
preacher to the sign painter. It is brains
rubbing against brains, and we get the
most polishod thought as the result.
Thus tho science of honest living pro
cesses. ''
"What has this to do with tho crimi
nal class?"
"Ono moment. Let the philosopher
teach you in his own way. With the
oriminal it is different. Ho is matched
against his superior. Those in his own
class do not contend with him. They
are rathor his partners, his 'pals,'as
they term it. His only contention, there
fore, is wifcwtho detectives who repre
sent society and the law. No man, I
suppose, is a criminal from choice, and
it is tho criminal's necessity which
leads to his detection."
"Then all criminals should be
caught?''
"All criminals should bo caught.
That they are not is a strong argument
ugainst your detective, for overy crim
inal, wo may say, is actuated by neces
sity, and therein lies tho possibility of
his defeat. For example, you may claim
that J]io expert buryljir lays his plans in
I acivauoe, and that, tho crime beiutf pre
-1 raoditated, he should bo able to mako
such careful prearrangementa that he
I could avoid leaving telltale marks be
hind him. This, however, is rarely the
case, for this reason—the unexpected
j often if not always happens, and for
j that he has not prepared. In a moment
j he sees prison ahead of him, and his
fear steals away his caution, so that, as
we have Keen, he does leave a clew bo
; hiad him."
"But when you say the unexpected
happens you admit tho possibility for
that to occur which could not have been
1 premised, and therefore could not havo
• been guarded against. "
"That is true as the case stands. But
I remove the nwessity which actuates our
criminal and mako of him. simply a
scientific man pursuing crime as an art!
In tho first place, we get an individual
' who will prepare for more accidents,
: and, secondly, would know how best to
meet emergencies which occur during
tho commission of his crime. For exam
ple, it yon will paid on the conceit,
were I to attempt a crime I should be
able to avoid detection."
"I should think that from your inex
perience as a criminal you would be run
to earth—well, about as quickly as this
man Pettingill- This was his first
crime, you know."
"Would you be willing to make a
wager to that effect;" This last remark
fairly startled Mr. Barnes, who instant
ly understood the meaning, which, how
ever, at first escaped the other listener.
Ho waited eagerly for tho reply.
"I don't grasp the idea. Make a
wager about what?"
"Yon said that were I to commit a
crinje I should be captured about as
quickly as PettingilL If you wish, I
will wager that I can commit a crime
which will bo as much talked of as his,
and that I will not be captured, or rather
I should say convicted. I would not bet
against arrest, for, as wo have seen in
this very case, the innocent are some
times incarcerated. Therefore I stipulate
for conviction."
"Do I understand you to seriously of
fer to commit a crime merely to decide
a wager? You astound mo I"
"Noinore perhaps than Pettingill has
surprised his friends. But don't be
alarmed. I shall assume all responsibil
ity. Besides, remember it is not crime
that is scowled upon in this century,
but detection. I wager with yon against
that. Come, what do you say? Shall it
be #1,000? I wuut a little excitement 1"
"Well, yon shall have it. At least yon
shall have the excitement of paying the
j Mr. Jianies cautiously rained his head.
thousand dollars to me, for, though I
think you are not really intending to
become a criminal in cither event, I may
I as well profit by your offer. "
"What do you mean by ' 11 either
I event?' "
"Why, if you do not commit a crime,
you pay, and if you do I am sure that
( you would be caught. Then, however
much I should regret your disgrace, I
warn you that I should cat yon dead and
take your money."
"Then you accept the wager?"
"I do!"
"Done. Now for the conditions. lam
| to have one month in which to plan and
commit my crime, and one year for
avoiding the detectives. That is, if lam
free at the end of one year and can prove
to yon that I committed a crime within
I tho stipulated period, I win tho wager.
If I am in jail awaiting trial, tho bet
cannot bo settled until the law has had
! its way and I am either proved inno
! cent or guilty. Is that satisfactory?"
"Perfectly. But what class of crime
| will you commit?"
"My friend, you are inquisitive. The
1 wager is on, and my boasted caution
j must begin. Therefore I must not tell
j yon anything of the nature of my iu
i teudod crime."
"Why, do yon suppose for an instant
I that I would betray you?"
"Well, yes, that idea does occur to
me. Listen. As I said before, tho ne
cessities of tho criminal prove his Nem
esis. The necessities involve the object
of the crime. That is always a good
starting point in following up a mysteri
ous case. Tho more unusual the object
the 1 >etter, since it will fit fewer people.
Plunder is the commonest and there
fore the least promising to trace from.
Reveugo is common also.mit better, be
cause the special revenge connected with
the deed must lead to tho special indi
vidual most likely to execute such re
venge. In this instance—l mean my
own case—tho object of tho crime is so
unique that tho detect ivo who discovers
it should be able to convict me. A crime
committed to decide a wager is perhaps
new."
"Its very novelty is your best safe
guard. "
"Yet there aro two ways by which
it may bo discovered, and that is two
too many. Had I undertaken this affair
secretly there would really have beon
but a single way for one to learn my
secret—my own confession. As men havo
been weak enough to do this before now,
I should even iii that instance havo tak
en precautions. But with my secret in
tho possession of a second party the posi
tion is more complex."
"I assure you on my honor that I will
uot betray you. I will agree to forfeit
five times tho wager in such an event."
"I prefer that you should bo perfectly
at liberty in tho matter. I expect it to
bo thus. In your own mind at present you
do not think that I shall carry out my
purpose. Therefore your friendship for
me is undisturbed. Then you count that,
if I do commit a crimo, it will be some
trivial one that you may bring your con
science to excuse, under tho circum
stances. But lotus suppose that a really
great crime should be reported, and for
some reason you should suspect me. You
will hurry to my rooms before I get out
of bed and ask 1110 flatly whether I am
guilty. As flatly I should refuse to en
lighten you. You would take this as a
confession of guilt. You would perhaps
argue that if your surmise were correct
you would bo an accessory before the
fact, and to shield yourself and do yonr
duty you would mako a clean breast of
it"
"I am beginning to bo offended, B jb.
I did not think yon would trust me so
little!"
"D>m't get ungry, old man. Remem
ber that only a few minutes ag>i y a
warned me that you would cut mo dead
after the crime. We artistic criminals
must be prepared against every contin
gency. "
"I did not think when I spoke. I did
not mean it.' 1
"Yes, you did. and I am not at all
angry. Let it be understood then that
you will be at liberty to repeat tho facts
ab>at this wager should your conscience
prick you. It will be be.sf for me to ex
pect and be prepared for such action.
But you have not asked what tho second
danger of discovery is. Can you guess?"
"Not unless yon mean as you sug
gested, your own confession."
"No, though that really makes a third
chance. Yet it is so simple. Have you
noticed that wo can hear a man snor
ing;"
"No!"
"Listen a moment! Do you not hear
that? It is not exactly a snore, but rather
a troubled breathing. Now that man is
in tho third section from us. Do you see
tho point?"
"I must confess that I would not
make a detective."
"Why, my dear boy, if wo can hear
that fellow, why may not some one in
tho next compartment be listening to
cur tete-a-tete?" Mr. Barnes fairly
glowed with admiration for the fellow's
careful oonsideratiun ui every point.
"Oh, I guess not! Everybody is
asleep."
"The common criminal from neces
sity takes chances like that without
counting on them. I shall not. There is
a possibility, however remote, that
some one, in No. 10, :;ay, has overheard
us. Again, ho may even bo a detective,
and, worse yet, it might be your Mr.
Barnes himself."
"Well, I must say if you prepare
against such long odds as that you de
serve to escape detection!"
"That is just what I will do. But
tho odds are not so great as you imagine.
I read in an afternoon paper that Mr.
Barnes had remained in Boston in con
nection with properly securing his pris
oner during the day, but that he would
leave for New York tonight. Of course
the newspaper may havo been wrong.
Then in saying "tonight" it may have
been inaccurate, but supposing the
statement were true, then there were
three trains apon which he might have
started, one at 7 o'clock, one at 11 and
this one. One in three is not long odds. "
"But oven if he is on this train there
are ten coaches.' 1
"Again you are wrong. After his
hard work on this Pettingill case ho
would bo sure to tako a sleeper. Now,
if you recall the fact, I did not decide
to go to New York tonight till the last
minute. Then we found that we could
not get a whole section and were about
to bunk together in a lower liertli when,
sevoral more people applying, they de
termined to put on another coach. There
fore, unless Mr. Barnes secured his
ticket during the day, he would inevi
tably have been assigned to this coach. "
"Had you any special reason for sug
gesting No. 10?"
"Yes; I know that No. 6 is unoq
cupied. But just as we started some OuQ
came in, and, I think, took the upper
berth *f No. 10."
Mr. sames began to think that ho
would have exceedingly difficult work
to detect this man in crime wore be
really to commit one in spite of the fact
that he knew so much in advance. The
conversation continued:
"Thus, you see, there are two ways
by which my object may become known,
a serious matter if unguarded against.
As, however, I recognize the possibilities
in advance, there will be difficulty
whatever, and the knowledge will bo of
no value to any detective, oven though
he bo your Mr. Barnes. "
"How will you avoid that danger?"
"My dear boy, do yo» suppose for an
instant that I would reply to tfiat after
pointing out that a detective may be lis
tening? However, I will give you an
idea. I will show you what I meant
when I said that Pettingill had blun
dered. You said that he had lost only a
button and thought it clever in Barnes
to traco him from the button. But a
button may bo a most important thing.
If I should loseono of the buttons of my
vest while committing a crime, Mr.
Barnes would traco me out in much less
than ten days, and for this reason they
are the only ones fif the kind in the
world."
"How das that happen? I supposed
that buttons were made by the thou
sand. "
"Not all buttons. For reasons which
I need not tell the possibly listening de
tective, a friend traveling abroad had a
set made specially and brought them
back to me as a present. They aro hand
somely cut cameos, half the set having
the profile head of Juliet and tho others
a similar face of Romeo. "
"A romance?"
"That is immaterial. Supposo that I
should plan a robbery in order to decide
this wager. As necessity would not urge
me either as to time or place, I should
choose my opportunity, let us say, when
but ono person guarded the treasure.
Tiiat one I should chloroform and also
tie. Next, I should help myself to the
designated plunder. Suppose that as I
were about to depart a sleeping, uncal
culatod for pet dog should jump out and
bark furiously? I reach for it, and it
snaps at me, biting my hand. I grapple
it by the throat anil strangle it, but in
its death throes it bites my vest, and a
button fulls to the ground and rolls
away. The dog is at last silenced. Your
ordinary burglar by this time would bo
so unnerved that he would hasten off,
not even realizing that lie had been bit
ten, that blood had flowed, or that the
button was lost. Mr. Barnes is sent to
the house the next day. The lady sus
pects her coachman, and Mr. Barnes
consents to his arrest, not because he
thinks him guilty, lint because, a.- tho
mistress thinks so, he may be, and then
more especially, his arrest will lull tho
fear of the real culprit. Mr. Barnes
would observe blood 011 the ground, on
tho dog's month, and he would find the
button. From tho button he would find
Mr. Thief, with his hand bitten, and
there you are.''
"But how should you avoid all that?"
"In tho first place, were I really wise,
I should not have telltale buttons about
me at such a time. But let us supposo
that the time had not been of my own
choosing; then the buttons might have
been with me. Assured as I should have
boon that tho only person in tho house
lay chloroformed and tied, I should not
have lost uiy nerve, as did the other in
dividual. Neither should I have allowed
myself to be bitten, though if the acci
dent had occurred I should have stopped
to wash up the stain from the carpet
while fresh, and also from the dog's
mouth. I should have discovered the
loss of the button, se.'irohed for and re
covered it, untied the victim and opened
the windows, that the odor of chloroform
could pass off during the night. In fact,
in the morning the only evidence of
crime would have been the strangled
dog and tho absence of the pelf."
"It is easy enough to explain your ac
tions under supposititious circumstances.
But I doubt if in Pettingill's shoes you
would liavo been able to retain your
presence of mind and recover tho lost
out ton which led to his final arrest. "
"It is possible that you are right, for
had I been I'ettingiji 1 have beett
coerced by uoeesaitlusi iw Uv Was, Vut I
think I hliyuld ln/D have plumed
rohh'ip-. tiiuoalntt my own ttav WLiIS
did. and then have taken with me such
a button. But from Mr. Barnes' stand
point, as I said before, very httl< of the
artistic was needed. The butt :i was
constructed cf a curious old c ;a. Mr
Barnes went the round* t" the d> alers
and fund the very man who had -"Id
Pettingill the coin. The rest w.i.< r utiue
work.''
"Well, you are conceited, but I don't
mind making a thunsaid out of your
egotism. Now I am sleepy, however, so
good night. "
"" *vi night, old man. Dream of a
way to v "Xtra thousand, for I
shall win.''
For Mr. Barnes 1 "O was
now more impossible tha.n <.... . -s
attracted to this new case, for so he
counted it, and was determined to trap
the individual who wagered against his
acumen. It was a long step toward suc
cess to know as much as he had over
heard. He would not lose sight of his
man during the allotted m< 'nth. He en
joyed the prospect of allowing him to
commit his crime anil then quietly tak
ing him in the act. Carefully and noise
lessly he dressed himself and slipped
out of his berth. Then he crept into one
opposite, so that he could have his eye
on No. 8, and settled down for nn all
night vigil.
"It would not surprise mo if that keen
devil were to commit his crime this very
night. I hope so, for otherwise I shall
have no sleep till he does."
CHAPTER II
A I'Aia.Nu AXl> SrCCKssiTL TUALN" Rc::-
BERY.
The train was just appr :
ford, and from the wind
tion which he occupied Mr
watching the sun glowing : .
hilltops, when he heard aj.
him the guard who had assisted him to
jump aboard the night before. The man
was making mysterious gestures, from
which Mr. Barnes understood that he
was wanted. He arose and followed the
porter to tho smoking room.
"I think you called yourself Barnes,"
said the man, "as you jumped aboard
last night."
"Yea; what of it?"
"Are you Mr. Barnes, tiio detective?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because, if you are, the conductor
wants to see you. There was a big rob
bery committed on the train during tho
night."
"The devil!"
"Exactly, but will you come into the
next coach?"
"Wait a minute." Mr. Barnes went
back into the main part of tho coach
and tiptoed toward No. 8. Gently mov
ing the curtains, he peeped in and
looked long and earnestly. Ho saw two
men undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
Satisfied, therefore, that he could leave
his watch for a brief period, he followed
tho porter into tho next coach, where
110 found tho conductor waiting for him
in the smoking room.
"You are Mr. Barnes 'lie detective?"
asked the conductor. Mr. Barnes as
sented.
"Then I wish to placo in your hands
officially a most mysterious case. We
took on a lady last night at Boston, who
had a ticket to South Norwalk. As we
were approaching that point a short
timo ago she was notified by tho porter.
Slio arose and dressed preparatory to
leaving tho train. A few minutes later
I was hurriedly summoned, when tho
woman, between hysterical sobs, in
formed me that sho had been robbed. "
"Of much?"
"Sheclaims to miss a satchel contain
ing SIOO,OOO in jewelry."
"You have stated that adroitly. Sho
claims to miss ! What evidence havo you
that she has met with any loss at all?"
"Of course we cannot tell about the
jewelry, but she did havo a satchel,
which is now missing. Tho porter re
members it, and we have searched thor
oughly, with no success. "
"We iiave stopped at New Haven and
at Bridgeport. How many persons havo
left tho train?"
"No one has left tho sleepers. "
"When you say that no one has left
tho sleepers, I suppose you mean you
saw 110 ono leave?"
"No! I mean just what I said. I havo
sent tho porters through the coaches,
and they report that all our passengers
aro in their berths. But. here wo come to
a point. If no one has left tho train,
then tho thief must bo aboard?"
"Certainly!"
"Tho woman when sho discovered her
loss concluded to remain aboard and go
on to New York. All the other passen
gers save one are booked for New York.
That one is a man, and ho is now dress
ing, as his destination is Stamford. If
he leaves, he may take tho jewels with
him, yet what am I to do?"
"State the facts of the case to him. If
he is innocent, he will willingly submit
to being searched. If, however, he re
fuses—well, we can be guided by cir
cumstances. Call him in here now."
A few minutes later a foreign and dis
tinctly French appearing man entered.
In speech he disclosed his origiu, but
the accent was slight. He was of line
appearance, dignified and gentlemanly.
Mr. Barnes sat at the window looking
out. The conductor with considerable
hesitancy explained the case, concluding
with:
"You see, my dear sir, this is an awk
ward business, but wo aro so sure that
tho thief is still aboard that"—
"That you hesitate to allow me to
leave the train, eh, monsieur, is it not
so? Yet why should there bo any trou
ble? An honest man must never bo hurt
in his feelings when he is asked to assist
the law, oven though for the moment he
is himself a—what you call it—suspect?
In this case it is so simple if only the
honest men will mako no trouble. They
will say to you, 'Search mo!' Yon do
so, and at last one comes who says,
' You insult 1110 !' That one is of course
tho thief, oh, monsieur? Do you not agree
with mo?" He turned toward Mr.
Barnes, addressing this last remark to
him. Tho dotectivo looked at him a mo
ment steadily, as was his wont when ho
meant to remember a face. The French
man returned the gaze undisturbed.
"I said almost the same thing to the
conductor before you came in," said Mr.
Barnes.
"Exactly so. Now, then, with your
permission I will disrobe. Look, if you
please, most carefully. My honor is at
stake. The more carefully you examine
the less suspicion can attach tome here
after."
Tho conductor made a thorough
search, emptying every pocket and tak
ing every precaution. He did not expect
to find anything, but it was essential
that extremo care should be observed.
Nothing was found, luid tho man re
sumed his clothing.
"Now, if you please, I have with mo
but two small satchels. If tho porter
will bring them, I will unlock them for
you. I have no trunk, as I only went to
Boston for a day's trip."
Tho satchels were brought, examined
and nothing found.
''"Now, gentlemen, I suppose I am
free, as we are at my station I shall
only remain here a few hours and will
then go 011 to Now York. If you should
wish to see me again, I shall stop at tho
Hoffman House. Hero is my card. Au
revoir!"
Mr. Barnes took the card and scruti
nized it.
"What do you think?" asked the con
ductor.
"Think? Oh, you mean of that fol
low. You need not worry about him.
There is not a shadow of suspicion
against him—at present. Besides, should
wo ever want him t. conld find him
again. Here is his name—A!phons«>
Thauret—card genuine, too, of French
make and style cf type. We can dismiss
him now and turn our attention to tho
other passengers. Do yon suppose I
could have an interview with the worn
an *
"You thai I have it if you \\ ish. We
will not ccu»ult her wishes iu the mat
ter. The affair is too serious. "
"Yery well, then, send her in here
and let me liave a few words with her
alone. Don't tell her that laniaditcct
ive. Leave that to me."
A few minutes later a tall woman,
apparently about -13 years of age. en
tered. She was not handsome, yet had
a pleasing face. As she seated herself
she lot ked keenly at Mr. Barnes 111 a
stealthy manner, which should have at
tracted that gentleman's turnest
thought. Apparently he did not uotioe
it. The woman spoke first.
"Theconductor has sent me iu here to
see you. What have you to do with the
case?"
"Nothing I"
"Nothing? Then why"—
"When I say I have nothing to do
with tho case, I mean simply that it
rests with you whether I shall undertake
to restore to yuu your diamonds or not.
I look after such things for this load,
but if the loser does not wish any action
taken by the road, why, then, we drop the
matter. Do you wish mo to make a
search for the stolen property?"
"I certainly wish to re. over the jew
els, as they are very valuable, but I aui
not sure that 1 desire to place the case in
the bands of a detective. "
"Who said that I am a detective?"
"Are you not one?"
Mr. Barnes hesitated a moment, but
quickly decided on his course.
"I am a detective connected with a
private agency. Therefore I can under
take to look up the thief without pub
licity. That is your main objection to
placing the case in my hands, is it not?"
'' You are shrewd. There are reasons,
family reasons, why I do not wish this
loss published to tho world. If you can
--'Thw
"Hut—the conductor want»to search me."
undertake to recover tho jewels and keep
this robbery out of the newspapers I
would pay you well."
"I will take tho case. Now answer
me a few questions. First, your name
and address.''
"My name is Roso Mitchel, and I am
living temporarily in a furnished flat in
East Thirtieth street. New York. I have
recently come from New Orleans, my
home, and am looking for suitable apart
ments. ''
Mr. Barnes took out his noto book
and mado a memorandum of the address.
"Married or single?"
"Married, but my husband has been
dead for several years. "
"Now about these jewels. How did
it happen that you were traveling with
so valuable a lot of jewelry?"
"I have not lost jewelry, but jewels.
They are unset stones of rare beauty—
diamonds, rubies, pearls and other pre
cious stones. When my husband died
he left a largo fortune, but there were
also largo debts, which swallowed up
everything save what was duo him from
ono creditor. This was an Italian noble
man—l need not mention his name—
who died almost at the same time as
my husband. The executors communi
cated with me, and our correspondence
culminated in my accepting these jewels
in payment of the debt. I received them
in Boston y<>eterday, and already I have
lost them. It is too cruel—too cruel!"
Sho gripiied her hands together convul
sively, and a few tears coursed dowu
her face. Mr. Barnes mused a few mo
ments and seemed not to be observing
her.
"What was tho value of those jewels?''
"One hundred thousand dollars. "
"By what express company were they
sent to you?" The question was a sim
ple one, and Mr. Barnes asked it rather
mechanically, though he was wondering
if the thief had come across tho ocean—
from Franco, perhaps. He was therefore
astonished at the effect produced. The
woman aroso snddenly, her wholo man
ner changed. Sho replied with her lips
compressed tightly, us though laboring
under some excitement.
"That is not essential. Perhaps lam
telling too much to a stranger anyway.
Come tv my apartment this evening,
and I will give yon further particulars
—if I decide to leave the caso in your
hands. If not, I will pay you for what
ever trouble you havo in the interim.
Good morning!"
Mr. Barnes watched her leave the
room without offering to detain her or
making any comment on her singular
manner. Without rising from his seat
he looked out of the window and strum
med on the pane. What he thought it
would bo difficult to tell, but presently
ho said aloud, though there was no one
to hear Ulm:
"I think sho is a liar!'"
Having relieved himself thus, ho re
turned to his own coach. Ho found two
gentlemen in tho toilet room allowing
themselves to be searched, laughing over
the matter as a huge joke. He passed
by and entered his own compartment,
which tho porter had put in order. One
after another tho few passengers arose,
heard of the robbery and cheerfully
passed through the ordeal of being
searched.
At last his patience was rewarded by
seeing tho curtains of No. 8 moving,
and a moment later a fine looking young
man of six and twenty emerged, partly
dressed, and went toward the toilet.
Mr. Barnes sauntered after him, and en
tered the smoking room. He had scarce
ly seated himself before a man entered,
who was evidently the other occupant of
section 8. While this second man was
washing, the conductor explained to
tho Other about the robbery, and sug
gested that he allow himself to IK* search
ed. By this time the conductor was be
coming excited. They were within a
few minutes of New York, and all his
passengers had boon examined save these
two. Yet these two looked more aristo
cratic than any of the others. He was
astonished, therefore, to observe that tho
young man addressed seemed very much
ilisturbod He stammered and stuttered,
seeking words, and finally in a hoarse
voic<) addressed his companion:
"Bob, do you hear, there's beeu a
robbery!"
His friend Bob was bending over the
water basin, his head and face covered
with a stiff soap lather and his hands
rubbing his skin vigorously. Before
replying he dipped his head completely
under the water, held it so submerged
a moment, then stood ere< - t with eyes
shut and reached for a towel. In a mo
ment he had wiped tho suds from his
eyes, and looking at his friend he an
swered most unconcernedly:
"What of It?"
"But —but—tho «ouductor wants >
"Ail right. What are you afraid of?
Yon are not the thief, ate yon?''
"No—bat"—
"There is no but in it. If yon are in
n< -em. let them go through you." Then
with a light laugh ho turned to the glass
and begun arranKing his crnvat. His
friend looked at hi in a moment with an
expression which tio one bnt Mr. Barnes
understood. The detective had recog
nized by their voices that it was Bob
who hi; ~4 made the wager to commit a
crime, and it was plain that his friend
already suspected him. His fright was
occasioned by the thought that perhaps
Bob had stolen the jewels during tho
night and then secreted them in his
clothing, where if found the suspicion
would not be on Bob.
Mr. Barnes was amused as he saw the
young man actually searching himself,
hi a few minutes, with a sigh cf in
tense relief, having evidently discovered
nothing foreign in his pockets, he turned
to tho conductor who stood waiting nnd
expectant.
"Mr. Conductor," ho began, "I fear
that my conduct has seemed suspicious.
I can't explain, but nevertheless I am
perfectly willing to have you make a
search. Indeed I am anxious that it
should bo a thorough one." The exam
ination was made, and, as wi!li the
others, nothing was found.
"Here is my card. lam Arthi. Ran
dolph, of the firm of J. Q. r. id h &
Son, bankers." Mr. Rar. lp'i a
trifle more erect as he saul lis,! tuo
pocr conductor felt that ho ha 1 lone
him a grievous wrong. Mr. Ran :olph
continued: "Tnis is my friend, Robert
Leroy Mitchel I will vouch for liini."
At the name Mitchel Mr. Barnes was
a trifle startled. It was tho same as
that which had been given by the wom
an who had been robbed. At this point
Mr. Mitchel, a man of 43, with a clas
sic face, spoke:
"Thanks, Arthur, lean take care of
mysolf!"
The conductor hesitated a moment,
and then addressed Mr. Mitchol:
'•I regret very much the necessity
which compels me to ask yon to allow
yourself to be searched, but it is my
duty."
"My dear sir, I understand perfectly
that it is your duty and have no per
sonal feelings against you. Nevertheless
I distinctly refuse."
"Yon refuse ?'' The wordscamo from
the other threo men together. It is diffi
cult to tell which was the most sur
prised Randolph turned pale and
le:uied against the partition for support.
Mr. Barnes became slightly excited and
said:
"That amounts to a tacit acknowledg
ment of guilt, sinco every other man
has been searched " Mr. Mitchel's re
ply to this was even more of a surprise
than what ho had said before.
"That alters tho case. If every one
else has submitted, so will I." Without
more ado he divested himself of his
clothing. Nothing was found Tho
satchels of both men were brought, but
the search was fruitless. Tho conductor
glanced at tho detective helplessly, but
that gentleman was looking out of the
window. One who knew Mr. Banjos
conld told that he was angry, for
he was biting tho end of his mustache.
"Here we aro at tho Grand Central,"
said Mr. Mitohol. "Are we at liberty to
leave tho train?" Receiving an acquies
cent nod, the two friends walked to the
other end of tho coach. Mr. Barnes ab
ruptly started up, and without a word
jumped from the tyiin as It slowly roll
ed into tho great depot Ho went up to
a man quickly, said a few words ill au
undertone, and both went back toward
the train. Presently the woman who had
been robbed camo along, and as she
passed out of the buildiug Mr. Barnes'
companion followed her. He himself
was about to depart, when, feeling a
light tap upon his shonlder, he turned
and faced Mr. Mitchel.
"Mr. Barnes," said tho latter, "I
want a few words with you. Will you
breakfast with mo in tho restaurant?"
"How did you know that my namo is
Barnes?"
"I did not know, though I do now,"
and ho laughed in a complaceut manner
which jarred on Mr. Barnes. The de
tective felt that this man was getting
the best of him at every turn. But for
all that ho was only the more determined
to trap him in tho end. Accustomed to
think quickly, ho decided to accept tho
invitation, considering that bo could
lose uothiug and might gnin much by
a further acquaintance. The two men
therefore went below to the eating room
and seated themselves at a small table.
After giving tho waiter a liberal order
Mr. Mitohpl began:
"Won't it bo best for us to understand
one another from the outset, Mr.
Barnes)''
"I don't know what you mean."
'' I think you da You asked me a mo
ruent ago h(3w I know your name. As I
said, I did not know it, though I suspect
ed it. Shall I tell you why?"
"Certainly, if you wish."
"Perhaps I am a fool to show yon
your first blunder in this game, sinoe
you aro evidently enlisted against me,
but as 1 sent my friend off alone pur
posely for the chance of doing so I can
not resist tho temptation.''
"Stop a moment, Mr. Mitchel. lam
not such a fool as you tako me to bo. I
know what yon are going to say."
"Ah, indeed! That is clover."
"Yon aro about totoll mo that I mado
an ass of myself when I spoke in the
coach upon refusing to be searched."
"Well, I should not have put it quite
so harshly, but tho fact is this: When
you deliberately followed Randolph in
to tho toilet room, I became suspicious,
being, as I was, at your heels. When
tho conductor spoke to me, I refused
purposely, to watch tho effect upon yon,
with tho result, as yon now see, that I
had my suspicion confirmed. I knew
that you were a detective, and. that
point gained, there was no further rea
son for refusing tho conductor."
"As I said, I acted like an ass. But I
did not need this warning. It will not
occur again, I assure you."
"Of course I sow now that yon over
heard our conversation last night, and,
such being the case, you naturally sus
pectod me of this robbery. But I am
wondering, if you did overhear our talk,
why you did not watch mo all night."
To this Mr. Barnes made no reply. "I
have one favor to usk. "
"What is it?"
"That you reveal to no one the fact
that I havo undertaken to commit a
crime. Yon of course are at liberty to
play the ferret and convict me—if yon
can.''
"AH surely as yon commit ft crime, so
surely will I convict you of it," replied
Mr. Barnes. "It will be perhaps to my
interest to keep what I know to myself,
but it will not do to make any promises
to yon. I mnst be free to act as circum
stances direct."
"Very K-wd. I will tell yon where I
am stopping and I give yon permission
to call to fee me whenever yon please,
day or night. I have a suit of rooms at
the Fifth Avenue. Now let me ask you
one question. Do you think that I com
mitted this robbery?"
"I will answer yon with a question.
Did yon commit this robbery?"
"Capital. I see I have a f'>eman
worthy of my steel. Well, we will leave
both questions unanswered for the pres
ent. " ____
\
[CONTINUED.}