The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1885-02-25

~ StSy OOoOkN
yed that he was "shad adowedn by an APP
parent countryman, and sl,rewdly guess
ed that tsStumpy'' was tho employer Of
the fellow. ST.
In order to completely hoodwlnk tile
rogue, Gardiner pretended to make a.
Dumber Of purchases III Market street
wholesale houses, which fact was, of
course, made known to Mrs. Montague,
and was calculated to still further quiet
her fears.
In the meantime Mr.. Montague loft
The city on his periodical jouHneys, ana
was followed by Rainsford lii disguise.
When the latter returned and reported
to his employer hc surprised him not a
little. Mr.. Montague like his reputed
wife was fraud. He was simply big
woman in disguise and was known by
the demi-Inonde Of New Y ork as 'sBig
Ann" and was u we'll known prostitute
Of Murray street ill that city. h.
Yardley did not apprise his friend Of
what he had discovered iii reference to
Mr.. Montague, but resolved to aid him
in securing the greater criminal "a
,,sfStumpy'' first, after which, il the
other wls found guilty of any crime to
take her also into custody.
Gardiner concluded to take the ras-
cal,during tho absence OF Montague, rs
~ could be done moro Quietly, and
4ardley agreed with him, urging him.
| however, to use tho utmost caution
since "Stlnnpy'' WIS such slippery
customer. E3{i
II shall be careful, replied Gardiner,
with q confident smile. as the p,lir saun-
tered out of MI. Yardley's residence.
"Condemn that follow" lie immodi-
ately added, as he saw his shadow
sauntcring leisurely along on The oppo-
site side OF the street.
He is dangerous now" remarked
Yardley, gravely.
"Why sop' tho other asked, ',
| because he saw you with me and
will SO report to "Stumpy," who knows
my profession M
"Ah." cried Gardiner III real alarm.
II was not aware Of that; must act
promptly or by lingo ,Stumpy' will slip
away"
Gardiner crossed the street after
taking leave Of Yardlcy, and approach
led the seeming eouh.fymsn .vsm, l,a;,.
just moment before parted With d boy
with whom he had been conyorsing,
"Can you tell me where the Mayors
office is2'' he asked Of the follow.
"Nix forstay," was the reply, and
the detective was positive that tho
response was derisively given.
He resolved therefore to keep him in
view until an officer appeared and then
give him Ill charge for an imaginary
offence so as TO prevent him from com
municating with "Stumpy." ,a
| This was accomplished very neatly
but the fellow appeared to take it coolly
and offered no resistance on being ar
rested; only when he was led away lie
turned to Gardiner, and closing one eye
he reharked:
Nov you think you've done it?n
The detective stared ut him, but be-
yond that simple remark the man spoke
no more.
"Confound him, what did he mean?n
Ga diner muttered, m,,singly, ''can
there be any significance in the words?n
lie had the warrant for "Stumpy'sn
arrest in his pocket and resolved to push
the matter at once.
lie hastened to sec Yardley and
together they proceeded to the Mon
tague mansion. They were admitted
by the servant who informed them.
however, that madam was indisposod
and could not see any visitors. s
"But our business is very ,,rgent,n
Gardiner remarked, "and 1t is impera.
tive that | SEQ the lady,"
81 will tell her so,n was tho quiet
response, and the girl left the parlor.
Gardiner and Yardloy quietly followed
her which she apparently did not OBJ
serve for she never turned her head as
she proceeded up the stairway. "A
AT the chamber-door, however, SHE
turned and a look Of surprise spranp
into her face.
"Why do you follow me?:' she asked.
ITO see your mistress,n was the
reply from Gardiner.
''rhis is hcr chamber" rcjoineu the
girl, s"and you may enter If you
chooses" saying which she abruptly
left them. and they heard the front
door close rs If she had left the house.
They opened the door, somo one was
lying in bed with their back turned
toward them, but by the garment they