Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-09

How Western sIeuthhound Was Very Much
Astonished.

SMARTER THAN THE DETECTIVE.
How Western sieuthhound Was Very Much
Astonished.
From the New York Herald
famous western detective declares that he
never surprised criminal more completely
than he himself was surprised in . recent Jour
ney from Albany to New York.
He was seated comfortably in q parlor car
sklmming over q newspaper when q gentleman
rose from his seat opposite, and, touching him
on the shoulder, remarked in an off hand way.
as If they had been chatting together for
hours:
"Well. sir, Of course you will do az you think
best, but it's my opinion that you are on . false
scent"
How do you mean?" asked the detective,
staring at the man with all his eyes in Q vain
attempt to make ont his identity.
why. mean that there is no use in your
trying to lind out the motive which prompted
this young girl to throw herself into the river,
because she was dead before she ever left the
land
What young girl? What river? Who the
ID are you talking about and who are you?"
All this rather sharply, for the westerner was
not little piqued at being addressed thus
famiilarly by an entire stranger. who seemed
and that was the puzzling at of ito be
perfectly familiar with his private affairs.
trust, Sir, that am not annoying you,"
said the newcomer, with the utmost courtesy. II
know what professional discretion calls for ON
your part, but the extreme interest take in
the fate OF this unfortunate girl prompted me,
perhaps unwisely, to venture the suggestion
you seem to resent"
MYsrrFIED.
Somewhat Modified, but as much in the dark
as ever as to the mans identity, the detective
replied:
But, my dear sir, how can you possibly
take any interest in my business when you do
not know me?'
"Ah, but there you are mistaken" said the
other, smiling. Il do know you very well ard
sympathize deeply with you in the loss Of your
poor mother, who died about a month ago. if
am not mistaken"
This was indeed the case and wonderingly
the detective listened as the gentleman went
on:
by the way, you must have had an exciting
time In your recent trip abroad in pursuit of
those st. Louis counterfeiters. What a pity
they gave you the slip at Mannheim. But for
that you would have accomplished one of the
greatest pieces Of detective work of modern
times. Don't you think that German banker
who was SO friendly betrayed you to the ras-
cals?''
Il haven't the slightest doubt he did," ex-
claimed the man of vile, "but who in the name
OF heaven are your
Tne stranger, still smiling, continued:
Il suppose you have given up the idea of
having that boy Of yours follow in YOUR foot
steps. On the whole, think the law will be a
better career for him. He has not your strength
ana endurance and
Now, look here my friend. =" interrupted the
bewlldered detective, ''let's call a half On This
funny business. I'll own up you have GO, the
drop on me. Now, come, what is the scheme?
How do you come to know and above all. how
in the name OF all that is mysterious do YOU
know things about me which no one
FRIGHTENED.
"Oh, know more than that" was the exas-
perating reply. II know all about the mean
way you were turned down at the head Office
last summer. know the man who did it and
why he was Jealous of you. know how you
proposed to get square with him in this very
case by proving that he has accepted hush
money from" -
For Gods sake, nv dear sir. be careful
what you are saving. Some one in the car NAV
be listening. DO you speak Frenchf''
That is precisely what do speak," said the
other, and. sulting the action to the word, he
continued in that language. which he spoke
with the purest Partisan accent:
Now listen and L will give you an explaua-
ton OF the present enigma. Possibly you NAV
find in it a lesson for the future.
DO you remember being down in Pennsyl-
burg to Oil City with dark complexioped
man about my height who wore a full black
beard?''
YES" answered the detective, II do. That
was an eastern detective who was working with
me on bank robbery. He is one of my best
friends"
And you told him, did you not, all about
this recent row you have had at headquarters,
and discussed with HIM what was the best
thing to do about it?"
SATISFIED
'Yes; but how did you know that? Did he
tell you?'
"Never mind how I know it. You also talked
over with him the case you are now working
upon and declared your intention of exposing
the dishonorable conduct of your rival Is not
that true? And if so, don't you think that for a
detective OF your experience you showed lack
OF caution in speaking Of such serious matters
in O public carp
''Yes." answered the detective quickly, .'but
l remember now that my friend and 1 spoke
only French as precaution. No one under
stands French out in western Pennsylvania I"
And what if l told you that was in the
seat behind you all the way to Oil City,
apparently fast asleep? What would you say to
that"
The detectives jaw fell
do you mean to tell me that all you know
about my life and my business you got
from chance conversation overhead on Q
railway
Precisely"
'And that you never knew me, or my friend,
or any one who knew us?'
Never"
swell, I'll de ID! Stranger, YOU arc
smarter detective than am ana you've got a
memory that's just chain ligLmng Theirs ten
minutes to wait here. Come along and have
drink"
The steamship Crystal recently struck the
steamship Ida In the Tyne and foundered soon
after.