Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-08

apprehension, returned Mr.. Want,
somewhat impatiently.
Yes, sir, | know. But not until
too late"
"What do you mean1 | gave in
formation to the police within an
hour of my return home, said Mr..
Want, reddening slightly.
II understand the facts are these, "
SAID Mr. Gimblet. you and your
family were staying at Biarritz--.'
We had been there two months, "
interposed Mr.. Want.
Exactly. You had no suspicion
of your partners proceedings until
Until [ received his letter written
from Queenstown, informing me of
hls flight" interrupted Mr.. Want
quickly. II Immediately started
| home by the first train, and after
spending bali an hour here, | called
jin the police You see dio not lose
a moment"
mo; but the letter did not reach
you till several days-more than q
week in fact-after date, remarked
Mr.. Gimblet.
THAT is so. Unfortunately | had
left Biarritz with my family the day
before the letter arrived there Con-
seouently, it had to be forwarded on
to Paris. and that caused delay"
"Mr. Slowbody had plenty OF time
to reach America. if that was has
destination. between the date of his
letter and the time of your giving IN
formation to the police, observed Mr.
Gimblet musingly.
THAT may be. | presume these
questions have reference to a desire
on your part to assist in experimenting
my late partnerl' said Mr.. Want
drawing himself up.
Most certainly. Considering that
he has robbed and ruined you, nc one
lin his senses would imagine you
desired to assist his escape, " said Mr.
Gimblet with aR innocent air.
my dear sir, II am Christian,
a protesting Christian certainly, and,
II hope. a sincere one. AT the same
time cannot help feeling vlndictlve
toward my late partner. AS you say,
he has robbed and ruined me. w hen
| thing of the MISERY and suffering
he has wrought" -,
"What do the police say ssirG
said Mr. Gim6let, interruptlng Mr..
Wants remarks with scant courtesy
''Well, they have no clue at pres
ent. but they are hopeful" answered
Mr.. Want. 81 am sure they would be
grateful for any suggestion you could
make to them.
mo they wouldn't because | might
tell them that they are on the wrong
scent altogether" SAID Mr.. Gimblet,
looking his companion in the face.
! However" he added, feigning not 10
notice Mr.. Wants start and look of
confusion, II never interfere in what
doesn't concern me. The police can
go their way, and ! will 60 mine.
"You are exceedingly kind, return
ed Mr.. Want, evidently striving to APP
pear cordial, ito interest yourself
about the matter.
Don't mention it, sir" said Mr..
| Gimblet, taking up his hat; you see
live been robbed that is the long and
short of 1t. I've not lost much; it's
the having been swindled that rlles
me. | should like to be even with Mr..
lSlowbody."
''You are not singular in that de
sire, Mr.. Gimblet," said Mr., Want,
extending his hand Anything you
have to suggest SHALL receive the most
careful attention.
Mr.. Gimblet wended his way home
ward in a very thoughtful frame of
mind after this interview. The fact
was that he felt completely mortified
by Mr.. Wants behavior. While that
gentleman was making his statement
to his creditors, the eX-detectlve had
been struck by a sudden suspicion
that he was acting a part. The idea
lcame TO him with the force and sud
deuness which he had learnt from eX-
perience to associate with happy IN
spiration. The great secret OF Mr..
| Gimblet's success in his peculiar line
of business was singular knack OF
| forming q correct conclusion without
! The process of reasoning. lie was by
lno means wanting in logical precep-
ton. but he was frequently aided IN
his Investigations by sort Of intuition
which put him on the right track
when others we're valniy grop,ug IN
the dark He had instinctly mlstrust-
ed Mr.. Want from the moment he com
meuced his speech, and when the pro
ceedng terminated ne felt impelled to
engage him in conversation in order
to gauge his character. He had no
difficulty in this, for Mr. Wants de
meanor had not been calculated to IN
spire confidence. In fact Mr.. CHM
bet had a very strong impression that,
in spite of direct evidence TO the con
trary, the gentleman was no more en-.
titled to sympathy than his defaulting
4 partner.
f when he came to consider the de
tails. however, Mr. Glmblet was in.
clined to mistrust his opinion. 1t was
quite clear, however, that Mr.. Slow
body had decamped. as alleged, and
I had involved his partner in ruin.
The report of his accountants, firm
Of high standing, proved indisputably
, not only that Mr.. SlowbCdy had rob
| bed his clients, bat also that he had