The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-10-24
WATCHING A DEFAULTER
BY WILLIS GRIBBLE.

BY WILLIS GRIBBLE.
No doubt ingenuity is the first element
that combines with tact and energy to
make a good detective. But once in a
long stretch "good luck" is sure to gain
a supremacy over these three virtues. At
all events, there is an episode on record
wherein luck not only gained the SUI
rremacy, but atoned for the absence of
the other three.
To be sure the case was not compH-
Gated one. There was no mystery that
called for the keen instinct of an adept at
unraveling to ferret it out. Instead, it
was most simple chain of circumstances.
One Philip Brashear had been suspected
of appropriating the funds of his employ
ers, and while the firm was busy summing
up the total of their losses, he had de-
camped, carrying with him money and
bonds to the value of half hundred
thousand. A futile search of the city
and environs followed but to all appear
ances the culprit vanished, leaving no
traces that might be followed up to the
epoch of his apprehension.
At least that was the popular verdict,
expressed by every one having a special
interest in the affair. With the exception
of Mr.. Americus Biggerton, Chief of
the United American Detective Service,
whose men traced Brashear not only to
the place he adopted in his fight, but to
the house where even now he lay await
ing favorable opportunity to quit the
country.
Mr.. Americus Biggerton was of himself
a diplomat, who, though loving honesty
and square dealing much, loved the fab
ulous possession of Midas more. Hence,
xuh ho0Oar.lxy nf sE fxun h11p.
dred dollars, dead or alive" was offered
for the apprehension of Brashear, Mr..
Biggerton dilated his widespread nostrils
and whispered he would await higher
finctuation in the market of reward.
So it happened that one afternoon, as
he sat coming over the entries made by
his head clerk, Sliggins, in his &c Docket
of Criminalities, the dusty door of his
dustier office revolved on its creaky him
ges, and, looking up, Mr.. Biggerton spied
the well-known form of his nephew, John
Liel, standing abashed in the shadowy
aperture.
"Well, it is you, is it?" quoth Mr..
Biggerton, ungraciOusly enough.
Yes, sir" And John Liel walked
unsteadily forward. ''I hope you are
glad to see me, uncle"
81 can't say that am," grunted the
chief. II suppose you are out of work
again. Idleness has become a chronic
malady with you, John"
John Liel stood twitching the frayed
end of a not immaculate handkerchief
through his rigid digits.
81 hope not, uncle leastwise, Il
Happily, we don't see our own faults,
John. But let me tell you that one of
yours is laziness; SO don't stand on the
defensive"
'tI have not endeavored to defend my
self, nor could 1 conscientiously do So"
with short, faint laugh.
Mr.. Biggerton replaced his gold-bowed
glasses and sat looking for moment or
two at his nephew. He was a short, cor
pulent old fellow, this uncle of Johns;
close shaven, keen-eyed, alert, and dress
ed with scrupulous care in suit of shiny
black broadcloth.
Well, what are you going to do with
yourself? ?" he finally interrogated.
81 hardly know" and John looked
down appealingly into the round, ruddy
face of his knsman. 81 had entertained
faint hope"
s'And what did you hope?"
''That there might be something in the
service that you could offer me-"
Mr.. Americus Biggerton let fall his
docket of criminalities with something
very much ike u SinOInereu gasp
"You?"
Certainly; why not?"
"Why not? For the very sufficient
reason that you are not qualified to fill
any position beyond the counter of a
country shoe-shop. It takes deal more
than good-natured dolt to fulfill the
duties required by detective"
For all that, you might put me to
the test
just then sudden thought revealed
itself to Mr.. Biggerton.
"And SO I might, he conceded. stI
suppose it's against the code of human
nature to let ones own flesh and blood
starve outright, and have kind of half
notion to try you anyhow. There,
theret' he reioined, cautiously; .'don't
rush into vortex of avowals before you
are certain of my intentions, which are
these: You've heard of Brashear, the
clerk who decamped week or so ago,
leaving Killop & Carr a considerable
sum the worse for his flight. Well, very
confdentially and strictly between our
selves, the United American Detective
Service has tracked the fellow to little
manufacturing center in Massachusetts,,
where the aforementioned service in
tends to keep him until the reward
offered for his apprehension is colossal
enough to recompense them for their
pains. Now, John, here's your chance.
Go up to Beamis Point, and keep a clear
eye on the fellow; then, when the time
arrives TO expose him, I'll come up and
arrest him and pay you well for your
trouble-al with the proviso that you
do your work in the right way"
ssBut how will recognize the culprit?"
queried Leil.