Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-05-05

steps within the house. and as they
seemed 10 be approaching the rear door,
they drew back into an angle of the
building where the darkness was COM
plete.
Marion and Judith Kredge came out
through the rear door, gained an alley
in the rear of the narrow yard at the
back of the building, and thence walked
TO the next street, while Paxton and
Stanmore closely followed them.
A suspicion he would scarcely have
dared to formulate into words was gain
ing ground in the detectives mind as he
Swallowed the women.
They had not proceeded more than a
- couple OF bloc Ks when Paxton discovered
that some one was stealthily logging
the footsteps of Stanmore and himself.
II he was playing the shadow, he was in
turn being Swallowed.
Scarcely had the detective impaired
his discovery TO his companion, when the
man whom he had detected following
him, darted by, and himself and Stan
more both recognized Levi Kredge by
his peculiar limp.
Kredgel" exclaimed Paxton in a
whisper He has discovered that we
are following his sister and the cashiers
daughter. he added in a tone Of disap-
pointment.
Paxton apprehended that it was Levi
Kredge's purpose to warn Marion and his
sister that they were followed.
Such proved TO be the fact.
Overtaking Marion and Judith, Levi
Kredge paused and spoke to them in a
low tone for a moment, and then hurried
on again.
The two women glanced backward,
and then crossed the street, and making
detour they returned to the house
whence they had come, without going
anywhere in particular.
After Marion and her companion re-
entered the house, Paxton and Stanmore
watched the building until the lights
were all extinguished, and they were
sure that the inmates had retired for the
night.
After this they withdrew and Stan
more returned 10 his hotel, while Pax
ton, prompted by an impulse of the mo-
ment, fingered in the neighbOrhood.
Presently he saw l1mping form ap-
pear from a side street, and, recognizing
Levi Krede =, he followed until he saw
him enter the office of Pratt & Weeks by
the private way.
The janitor had given peculiar rap
and though it was now long after bust
ness hours and no light was to be seen
in Pratt & Weeks office, he had bSen
promptly admitted.
~Ahl He was expected. The rascal
is about to have a private interview with
b cOnfederates, l suppose. 1 should like
TO be an unseen witness of this meeting
Let me see, when I was making the
Blanchard investigation a year ago, I
had occasion to make several calls on
MessIs. Pratt 4 Weeks. Once or twice
was admitted by the private entrance.
Now I recollect that the street door
opens upon a narrow enSry beyond
which is the door of the brokers' private
office. I'll take the risk"
Having thus communed with his own
/. Hs.4. 4
of the Office by which Levi Kredge had
just entered, and producing pick-lock
he deity opened the door.
Fortunately there was no bolt on the
inside or 1 would have been baffied, he
muttered.
Without making even the faintest
sound which might have betrayed his
presence, he gained the entry upon which
the street door opened, closed the door
behind him and crossed the narrow hall
10 the door of the private Offlce be-
yond it.
There he listened and heard the voices
of Pratt, Weeks and Levi Kredge.
The detectives nerves thrilled with
expectation as he thought that now per
haps he was destined to make some i'm
portant discovery.
He could distinctly hear all that was
said by the men upon whom he was spy
ing.
Pratt spoke first.
-Kredge, your warning about the
marked money came just in time. If the
money stolen from Garrison safe had
been traced to us we would have been
ruined, he said.
And our regulations forever lost,
added Weeks.
The other laughed unpleasantly.
That we have kept up. Nothing like
a reputation. Our dupes have always
have reapGd the harvest resulting from
the success Of our shrewd schemes.
But you promised to report tonight as
to whether your suspicion that you
were being watched had been verified
or otherwise" said Pratt, turning to
Kredge.
There is no longer a doubt; I am
surely being watched by detectives, but
1 am rid of them for tonight, answered
Kredge.
Are We suspected, wonder?" said
Weeks.
I can hardly think so, but if the Sc
erets of the night of John Oakburn' 6
murder are ever searched out, I tremble
for the consequences. But tell us
Kredge, have you learned what has be-
come OF Garnar?" asked Pratt.
L have learned nothing about his
whereabouts. He has vanished. He
it was who exchanged overcOats with
Stuart Harland," answered Kredge.
He wanted a disguise, poor devil.
infer he has left this part of the coun.
try, and we have nothing to hear from
him, said Weeks.
Now, about the division of the mon,
ey. I have not received my share yet,
Kredge remarked.
You shall have it; but our mutua
safety demands that we should keep 4
in trust for you. Don't forget, my man
that il any of that marked money was
found ilf your possession you would b,
accused Of John Oakburn's murder,
said Pratt.
That's sO-the money will be safes
with you, assented Kredge.
-Is not this crippled seoundrel himsel
the assassin" reflected the detective.
Before the night is over the marke,
money will all be hidden where no de
tective will ever find it. only wish W,
had the one thousand of the marke,
money we gave Garnar back again. II
may use some of it. The money may b
traced to him. and to save himself Their
is no telling what he might do, eOntin
ued Pratt.
well, open the safe and get tn
marked money out. Before hiding it W
will test the preparation which I pro
cured from an old German chemist 70
day, as promised I would. The com
pound is recommended to remove in
marks. II We can remove the marks o
the money, all well and good sal
Weeks, and he placed a large stone Ja
or bottle on the table.
Pratt went TO a safe in the room
opened it and took out the money whic
had the bankers private mark on it.
NoiselessIy Paxton opened the door {
IL L. .