The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-09-19

IldiluS vi SOilit pdltg vi paieiCc uh
\ known" the case was for three days
in my sole care.
/ naturally felt certain .hat | had
the right clue--the missing papers
and the torn glove-but l knew my
business sufficiently well to under
stand that could neither walk into
the cigar store where my supposed
murderess was and arrest her, nor
was it at all likely that / could bluff
or frighten her into confession.
Moreover, | wished to know first
why she would have cared for the
missing papers.
That afternoon | strolled to the
cigar store. An elderly German was
behind the counter. In the evening
/ tried it again. No girl was to be
seen.
| determined to learn something
of her. I entered and bought some
cigars.
Keep the store alone?' said i,
casually, as | lit my cigar.
'Yaw.'
Trade good?
'Yaw.'
You ought to have pretty girl
to help you catch the youg fellows
trade
'Yaw.'
turned and walked away. Moth
ing to be made there. --
| watched the store until it closed,
and half the next day. Then | was
rewarded. At about noon a girl en-
tered, laid aside her hat and cloak
and took her place behind the coun-
ter, while .he man went away.
When he was well out of sight |
dropped in and did little trading.
1t was the same girl, a little ner-
vous, | told myself.
/ watched her until the store clos
ed; then followed her as she hur-
ried homeward. She lived two miles
away, near the river shore, in small
old tenement house. She climbed
to a room near the roof. / followed
all the way, stumblingin the uneven
halls, but looked upon, doubtless, as
a new tenant a little off.
The girl entered the room, locked
the door. and then | heard the voice
of two talking. Evidently she was
conyersing with a man.
/ made friends with a half boozy
bachelor on the floor below, and
found from him that the girl was an
old tenant, but man had recently
arrived who occupied room next
to her, and was called her brother.
l waited all night just across the
street from the tenement house.
Early in the dusky dawn l saw
a man steal out. | followed him.
He went straight into the country.
walking fast, and covering nearly
five miles before sun-up. | followed
all the way, not near enough to
cause suspicion, but near enough to
watch.
At last the fellow turned into a
piece of woods. | Iastened, and
Just as | entered the grove saw him
not far away, bending over a little
fire.
AS he heard me coming he looked
up hastily, hesitated moment, then
turned and ran. At first | was i'm
PEELED to follow, then something at
the fire caught my eye, and | paus-
ed. Papers were burning. Quickly
seizing the bundle-for such it prov
ed to bel managed TO extinguish
it. while still considerable portion
remained unconsumed. opened
it. There were all the papers and
proofs in the Harcourt will case
the identical papers stolen from Al
port on the night of this murder.
NY heart bounded. 1t was the third
day, but the scent was very warm
now.
returned TO the city with all
haste, but by another road, and at
noon was at the cigar store. The
girl appeared and the German dis
appeared.
Supplied with the torn and bloody
glove | waited my chance, and when
the store was empty | entered. Hav-
ing first purchased cigar, l came
close to the girl and said in a low
tone:
is this your glove? l saw you
wearing it few nights ago. at the
same time presenting to her the kid,
stained as it was.
The girl turned fairly livid, gasped
little, then whispered:
Where did you get it?'
In the same office where those
papers were stolen and Lawyer AL
port was murdered, three nights
agop Isaid.
The poor thing uttered a single
moan, and would have sunk to the
floor if l had not caught her. A
glass of water stood upon shelf. l
threw part of it into her face. Slowly
she opened her eyes.
Who are your she whispered
hoarselv.
/ opened my coat and showed a
star. She uttered a low shrek.
"A detectiyel He is lost-lostp r
My good girl, said /, it is best
for you, and him, too, to tell me the
whole truth. Shut the shop and
come with me-"
She obeyed me unhesitatingly,