The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-07-31
dark with long black hair and frey
black eyes, and slmost violently impet-

saloons OF New York, when his chief
sent him on a search after very differ
ent kind of parsonage. This man whom
he was expected to find and decoy into
the charge of the police and whose pho
tograph he consulted from time, had a
complexion as fair and rosy as that of
girl, and had also blonde curls and an
elegantly dressed blonde beard. He was
described as a seeming gentleman Of
leisure in his manner, his associations
and his extravaganza. But his offence
was a heinous one. He had robbed a
wealthy old man of an immense sum of
money and then immured his victim in
an asylum for the insane, from which
liberation had been effected unsupported
by the gentlemanly sinner with the ele-
giant blonde beard, and who it was hoped
would be speedily captured. @ @
But day followed day, bringing to the
young detective not the slightest hint of
success. E rr e -@% srs. ss.na2 &@
He was heartily discouraged when one
day be left the Office, leaving the chief
more than usually disappointed and dis
satisfied. 2.> ,,a .s1s 4v#a3 ees }.nf5
sE''Fair and rosy as a girl curling blonde
hair and full BEARD" he repeated as he
walked slowly down the street, his head
bent on his breast, and his hands locked
on his back. ~ aas. .:-ste e: s.s3a,
''If you are speaking of man answer
ing that discri ptlon, you have just passed
him." said a brisk voice in his ear, &c.,:
Oscar Tolles looked up and around
quickly, in establishment, but he did not
tn1 Ind L
thinking. g .a. .s:- -G..@e
The stranger who had spoken to him
laughed lightly. =" !.
Oscar glanced at MIN curiously. The
intrusive stranger was more, tout ensena-
bic, like priest OF clergyman than an or
binary mortal. His dress was of the finest
black broadcloth, and scrupulously IN
assuming in cut and fit. A snowy ''chok-
err the closely cropped gray hair, and
smoothly -shaven face, the grave eyes and
stern lips, and pleasant voice all COM
pleted the sanctimonious semblance.
'You are novice in the detective bust
ness. I infer" observed the stranger,
blandly. 1885,. -,
Somewhat" acknowledged the young
fellow. and instantly wroth at his stup;di-
" III making the concession.
"Well, it is an art to be learned, I as
sure you. I have been detective nv
self, and know all about it. I have seen
you several times, young man, and have
taken a considerable interest in you. I
can give you some profitable advice if
you will find it worth your while to &C
cept the acquaintance Of an old man like
me-. That is my house around the corner ::
you see the Mansard, do you not? Here
is my ca1d. If you will pardon the pre-
sumption Of a garrulous old chap as I
am, I will gladly invite you to lunch
with me-"
The young detective glanced at the
neat card. 1t was plainly engraved with
the name Of "Abner Davidson"
| Even the most experienced detective
would hesitate to refuse so fair SEEM
ing invitation; the fraternity are too ca
ger for adventure, and, beside, have an
irresistible desire to know everybody
and all about them. Their brain is
sort OF store room where they store faces
! and incidents for possible emergency in
the future ... ...
But in this instance Oscar Tolles, less
discreet than his professional brethren,
made confident of his new friend,
whose appearance indicated his station of
Hon. Retired Prosperity, as he modestly
assured his visitor, was indeed his
worldly position. o.. =@ sa ...-..1
$50 the poor gentleman has escaped
from the asylnm?' he observed, in unc-
tuous tones. "Wnat a mercy! And
how fortunate that the vile scoundrel
who caused his incarceration, carelesslv
lost the picture and packet of papers.
The VILLAIN will be brought to Justice.
for it is impossible for him to escape.
You say the original portrait is painted
on porcelain plate that is set on the in
ner case Of an old and valuable chron-
ometer; and that it and the papers are
still in the possession of the unfortunate
man who SO happily escaped from the
home for lunatics? When will YOU see
him?' III j".. &c.,. -. ..: .5 ~
'To-night," answered the young detec-
tive, mentioning the time and place
where his cnief requested him to meet
the man in whose service he had been
employed. 49," b" 81 ""...' .'' '''
After another pleasant half hour Oscar
AO1ACo ielt tue pdldIldl uOnC OF MS nos
pitable and new friend, and some time
later he started for the steamboat land
ing. -
It was sultry, thickly-clouded spring
night, and, either because oppressed b9
the heat Or the fumes of MIR. Abner
Davldson's excellent old port, he was
very long upon the way, and when he at
last arrived at his destination he found
the steamer gone and the passengers due
all landed and dispersed. sat z"sa. Il.
he was not unprepared the next morn
ing for the anger of his chief. Il G:s, -. q
p IF you would succeed in any thing.n
he said with severity, 'you must be
puncutal in every thing. This poor man
has only escaped from an asylum to be
foully murdered. Last night, not two
hundred feet away from the landing, he
was stabbed to the heart, and the body
was rifled of that precious watch and
those valuable papers; and to make YOU
still more culpable for your want of zeal,
that very rogue with the long blonde
beard was seen skulking about the place
not five minutes before the murder was
committed. The body of poor Tolles-"
''Tolles9" cried the foiled detective,
sprinoing to his feet. ibid YOU saw