The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-01-09

q certainty that / had tracked my man; {
It the other, no earthly means to bring hon
J, his guilt. IF I only had even sutficlel
c grounds to search the rascal's house; b
g | had not. One afternoon [ was Walklr
a up and down my rooms considering. whe
G the post brought me a brief but conel'
5 and decisive dispatch from my chief:
: 'SReturn Immediately, unless all ma
$ tiers are in train. Give up. Your pre-
e ence here is necessary.
: The order was like thunder clap in m
: ears. My commanding officer was plainl
t displeased at my long delay. Should
simply throw the cards down or ventu1
| all On one trick this same evening, SO as
be ready to depart tomorrow at the ftu
thest? I decided for the last alternative
Twelve gentlemen sat in the town cl1
room. My friend made one of them. I
his great surprise [ sat dewn close to hir
/, and began to talk a little Presently on
: nearest neighbor got up and departed, t
my great joy. bent over Bottcher an'
: whispered that had a weighty matter t
talk over with him.
'sWhat may it be-" he inquired calm
Ily.
''You believe I am here as a lotter,
agent? -
/ He nodded.
am not, however. I have been sen
here on detective business by the Prussial
police Office. =
Hero Blottcher took this revelation sig
| nificantly. On the instant he knew no
how to compose his features, He frs
drew his face as il wishing to look aston
ished, and then he tried to smooth ava,
all but supreme Indifference. After q sec
cond or two, during which I had studied
his countenance as a serpent does hi:
prey, he said, in a constrained tone:
GLOW does that concern me, pray, gooC
sir?''
'SYou have heard Of a widow Frie(low
from whom large sum Of money has
| been stolen. | have come here to hunt up
the thief. | have got on the right track
You, / know, are related to her and con
cerned in the property she possesses as q
probable heir. y
while l spoke thus [ looked him straight
into the eyes. They sparkled like those of
an an angry cat making ready to spring.
"And you will arrest me, / suppose?''
he gasped angl1ly
should have loved to seize him BY the
throat then and there, shouting: 'In the
name of the law To this day wonder
how restrained myself, but did.
How can you talk so % / exclaimed,
calmly. only mean that you must help
me bring the criminal to justice, being, as
you are, interested in the Inheritance"
'With all the pleasure of my life" he
replied, heartily, II will do all I can.
But-what is ityou want Of me?'
early tomorrow morning I will come
to you to consult over the matter, and We
can then decide on our proceedings
BOttcner GREW long breath.
'"This is most unfortunate" he exclaim-
ed. - have had an urgent summons, and
must start from t before daybreak.
Perhaps may even be obliged to leave this
evening. / owe heavy sum Of money,
and must appear personally before my
creditors TO demand further delay. / can
not watt
| could scarcely restrain my joy. The
game had run his head right into my
lasso; only one pull noy and the knot was
fast.
Don't trouble I said quietly. ..By
and by will do for me. l shall be in
az for for another week; when you come
Aaps $500.
question; is Doctor MAIDEN mixed up.in
he affair?'
apo YOU know hin?"
''Only by sight.
s.He will help me to identify the crlml-
nal" said coolly, looking full into my
face, which now took a horn,
bic tint and expression.
"Can he do so?"
Certainly. He saw the man, dressed
like laborer, the morning after the rob
berry was affected"
s.Who was the ruffian?" Bottcher asked
'sHis name is Ebbing, l think" 1 an
,1,-orol o+ bapba7ar1
II don't know him." was the reply to
this.
II dare say not" I replied, s'he only
comes here at times"
''I rose now, broke off our conversation
with every appearance of confidence, and
departed, having shaken Bottcher by the
hand. I went stealthily to his house and
waited. / had been there about a quarter
Of an hour when cab dashed up to the
door. Bottcher sprang out Of it, went
inside for few minutes, and then reap
peared carrying something under his
arm AS he got upon one side OF the
vehicle jumped upon the other and seized
hold of my game. He made not the least
resistance. but sat like one enchanted.
care those Frau Friedow's papers you
have under your arm? ?" [ inquired.
eyes, they are" he replied.
made the coachman take us where !
could put the robber in safe keeping.
When man is suddenly discovered in
crime, he is sure to commit some piece OF
folly. had reckoned on this, and was
not out in 50 doing. My game had liter,
ally walked into my hands, and I felt re-
warded at last for all my trouble and dis
appointed delay.
Bottcher was sentenced to ak years IL
the house of correction. His coadjutors
were not caught.