The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-14
PLAYING THE DETECTIVE.
rn,rccessful Attempt Of An Amateur
70 Save a Mans Neck.

Se,,ide and a Rowdy Lover Was
So on Circumstantial Evidence.
OCCASIONAL vidoeqs Cannot Toler-
the Efforts or Suggestions Of
amateur Sleuths.
From the Chicago Times.
= bis ordinary, everyday walk of life
1t every man is a detective, even
an-,b he fails to realize it. When a eel
Ted case comes up ninety men
sD5 women out of every 100 theorize, de-
80 and conclude and are detectives in
.n,,tbiug but practice. ] am not, there
~ indifferent from the general run of
an in being somewhat interested in de-
tive work. The only difference is that
& ,tronlzlv admit it while most others deny
:, indeed, I will admit that L am an I'M
..;d and unprofessional detective, seldom
ming in contact with the police, but
3 LING nv own salary, working under
~ avn orders, and following such clews
.srthink best without reference tothe
professionals.
One morning, not so many years ago,
uSiie was riding down town on Ber-
Tonnr man about "a years of age 1 hold
t5at facial expression is an index of char
atar hut the voice is the real test
Where both together satisfy me that
ION is had a thousand men might argue
~ the contrary without changing my
oninion. In two minutes had sized this
vonng man up as follows: He was a
Stranger in the city, though he had no
baggage; he had just arrived that morn
inc: he had a place in good society,
ibourn he was dissipated and reck-
loss. he was nervous about some
hing. for he kept his fingers 60
inc. at first sight his face had a
frank expression, but, after a bit,
ron caught a furtive movement of
the ewes which spoke of shyness; a woman
wonld have called his mouth handsome,
hit 10 me it was an index of hypocrisy,
sensuality, and selfshness. But for a
triAing incident he would have been for
cotton as soon as l left the car. AS
watched him, without appearing to do so,
he slyiy took from his pocket a card on
which something was written in pencil,
and then Immediately looked out to catch
the name Of the street we were passing
Inference He wanted to get off at par
ticular street, the name of which was
written on the card, and did not want to
ask anvquestions. He was looking ahead
of the car when we reached Beech street,
and as he rose up to get off 1 saw him
slyly glance around as if to note whether
anyone was particularly observing him.
SOUGHT AN UNsAvoRY SECTION.
Beech street, as 1 must tell you, bore a
most unsavory reputation, though
here and there was. a re-
spectacle domicile, shop or fac
tory. On an off-hand decision 1 should
have said that my man was gambler on
his way to one of the numerous dens in
the street, but | was not satisfied with
that. left the car half a minute after
he did and hurried back to find him
standing an the corner and slyly glancing
at the card again. AS Beech street crosses
Berdan avenue it is called Beech street
East or West. If he had number on
the card it did not give East or West, and
he was therefore puzzled bit. In pass
ing ran against him and turned half
around, and three seconds later l was
saying: .-....
Il beg your pardon, sir, but 1 came
near falling. Hope L didn't hurt your
That's all right he replied, though the
frown on his face disproved his words"
1T was very awkward in me, but ac-
cidents will sometimes happen. Can be
of any service to your" .......
Mop was his curt reply as he turned
away.
l had accomplished what l set out to
do-to catch his tones. His voice and
face harmonized so to speak. Both were
against him. Idon't say that made him
out to be an outlaw or assassin, or even a
hardened criminal. l simply grouped
him under the heading, "Sly and Bad
Don't Trust Him." He had replied that
l could be of no service, and yet he
crossed the avenue and made inquiry of
the old woman at the apple stand and
disappeared down Beech street west.
Why hadn't he asked mel Why hadn't
he asked the conductor before leaving the
carr Why did he ask the apple woman
when there was policeman within ten
feet! Why did he look back twice to see
if he was followed?
At o'clock that same night, while l
was on Berdan avenue, two blocks below
Beach street, it began to rain. l had no
umbrella, and as usual something was
wrong with the electric system and the
cars were all stalled. l walked rapidly
TO within four doors of Beech street and
then lodged into a doorway. A minute
later man and woman turned in from
Beech street and sheltered themselves
only fvefeet away. AS they came around
me corner the gas-lamp gave me glimpse
OF their faces. She was woman of the
Town and he tough. They were talking
IN exciting tones as they turned in, but
The first sentence l caught was spoken
by the tough.
Il tell yer, Sue, I've got to hev money
or II cut up awful ugly"
What's the use to threaten, Bill9" she
protested.
IN do suntbin' besides threaten if yer
don't come to time. want money, and
want it tonight"
:. II haven't got dollar, and you know
Then git dollar-git 20 of 'em. I'll
come around at 'leven o'clock, and if you
uont put $50 in my hand I'll lay We up fur
null month. Mind what I tells yer. I'm
goln now, but you look fur me at 'leven
O'clock"
A PRELUDE TO MURDER.
She stood there for five minutes after he
went away, and l was certain that she
was weeping. BY and by she turned the
corner into Beech street, aud as the rain
eldckened bit | took my way up the ave
uue. Next morning heard of murder
On Beech street. A woman of the town,
known as Sue White, had been murdered
IN 9er rooms. 1t was supposed that she
udu been killed at about IL O'Clock at
ulght, but the deed was not discovered
uhtu o'clock in the morning At s
clock, when l left my house, / met the
coroner on his way 10 the house and &C
oonpanled him. A professional detective
was IN charge, and though he did his
Dest TO prevent me from securing in
..orinatlon l nevertheless, as a friend OF
Sue coroner, was granted certain privi-
..eges. There were but two rooms-a sit
- i ", ls,A lou