The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-16

took 10 much interest. His manner, on this
occasion was a trife less rough, and his
voice not so harsh as usual.
"BIr. Linkington, you've got charge o
the Clayton case, haven't yer'" he asked Of
the chief
The detective eyed him, euriously, and
renlied that he had deputies at work, who
we're doing all they could.
"You don't get ahead, do yer?"
Mr.. Linkington smiled grimly, and
artistically squirted stream OF tobacco
Juice into the spittoon, which was more
than yard away.
"Thats not an answerable question, my
man."
."Tellin tales out O. school, eh? Well,
boss, perhaps, if you look over that you
may find a clue"
Tom laid before him folded paper
The detective took another inspection OF
his features and clothes, and slowly unfold
ed and smoothed it ont.
$50 you're interestedp he remarked.
eyes; Tn friend O. the family-what's
left of it--and I've taken the trouble to
search round town to see what could find
in the way O. evidence against its enemies.
That dockyment accidentally came across
my path, and bagged it"
"Hm" grunted Mr.. Linkington, poring
over the paper-''a marriage contract! l
don't see what use it can be put to"
Cant always tell, boss. 1t don't appear
much on fust sight. but when tell you that
one O the signers is the feller that's at the
bottom of all the Clayton fuss, you'll think
different"
"Ha! SO! But how do you come to
know"
"Ill tell that by and by. Mr.. Clark, the
contracting husband, is feller the police
would like to get their paws on. He's swim
died the Claytons out O half their property
-moren fifty thousand dollars, and that
paper has helped do it; it's forgery Ill
swear, and if old Clayton hadn't been so
hasty, he'd have tested it. You can soon
prove whether it's genuine. I'll help you,
too"
eve can do nothing in conjunction, my
man, until l know from whom am getting
this information"
"Mr. Black, sr-thats my oognomen."
"The first name2"
"Thomas."
The chief showed the document aside,
turned on his high perch at the desk, and
elected another stream of tobacco juice
Precisely! have had dealings with you
before. You are the man whom l sent up
for completely in burglary on Staten Is.
land some years ago. How long since you
| got your ticket-of- leave?'
Tom seemed not in the least disconnected
"Over two years, Link, and I've reformed
| Don't be skeery, for it's fine thing to set 0
thief to catch thief He'll nab him while
you detectives is thinking about it"
"Well, I'll try you. If you play any
pranks, I'll do with you what was com
PEELED to do with your leader, Sam Nevins.
II don't care to be invited to ball, Link
You can excuse me-"
Mr.. Linkington grunted at this sally
and drew in pair of determined lips, ra
plying;
Help us out on this, and I'll get you OF
the force. You would be valuable ally"
"You bet! But I aint for hire, Link
I'll get out O. the country as soon as thil
things fixed. On this lay, I'll be big help
for know pile. The young Clayton ga
shan't be pestered any longer. The plott.
| shall take in his horns"
"Are you sure you have enough evidence
TO convict"
"More than enough-enough to eonyic
twice over, and hang him as high as Ha
man"
"Well, the first thing is to test this docu
ment then we'll know what steps to take
Several hours the two were closeted to
gether. When Tom took his leave enong
had been told to establish several importan
facts.
Days passed, during which the detective
worked tirelessly to redeem themselves from
the odium which unjustly attached to them
and their labors were ably seconded b.
Tom.
TIE latter made himself decidedly usefu
in many ways.
He strolled down, one starlight evening
to the "Travelers' Rest
With his usual boldness, he marched u
to the bar and called for drink. Will
slipping the stuff, he inquired for Jack an
Joe, and asked how the captain" took hi
long confinement.
Mccormick told him, savagely, Of Clark
escape, and Of the disappearance OF his tw
pals.
"Made off. has he?' cried Tom. 'Srhat
bad! They've got warrant for him, and
he's caught he'll blab everything"
He had not come totally unprepared fe
this news, but had feared his plot to entra
Clark would be revealed.
"We're sure Jack and Grabbed ore Il
traitors as got him away" said MeCormiel
, 'D'ye s'pose they'll peach?"
, Cant say" responded Tom.
"Somethings looser grumbled the mo
behind the bar. 1.-THE gangs been searcl
ing for Willis; we heerd to-day that he
skipped"
l Tom cogitated q moment, and arrived
. o conclusion as to where he had skipped
' you'd better be on the watch, McCo
!. mick. Let's iquorr :. ,
The thirsty crowd rushed up in q bod
A Ere an hour had passed, they were IN
semi-coma tose state, and barely able
n 'navigate."
v They were enjoying hugely the wondert
n performances of the vocal and terpslchorei
A artists, when, of a sudden, loud rappil
sounded on the board wall back of the stag
n as of blows dealt by a heavy ak. The pt
formers, frightened, jumped from the sta
y and ran toward the street-door.
They were confronted by squad Of r
lice.
% "The trap! the trapp' cried a voice.
It Mccormick attempted to shut of the q
Tom Black seized his hand and prevent
l. him. At the same time, the wall fell
'. and second squad of police appeared.
The den was surrounded. Little resi-
g ance could be made, as there were few
the thieves sober, and the result was
ID capture of the whole gang. :,
Guarded on all sides, they were escort
to the station, where they remained till ST
L. fenced.
at The mysterious Tom thus proved to
'e entire satisfaction of the law his willlngn
q to labor for the right
III Another conference with MIR. Llnklngt
er followed, after which he telegraphed to M
st CLAYTON, and set about the conclusion OF