The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-04-14

warned, j jotted down his name. So
the registering procession moved
along until at last all had left their
thumb marks and / had listed Just
about dozen names.
Now" said Banks, lifting the
mysterious package, II have here a
small magic lantern through which /
propose TO put the slide bearing the
impression. 1t is now dark enough
fancy and-yes-the back OF that
calendar yonder will serve excellently
as II white surface. Oblige me, Mr..
Williams by, turning its face TO the
wall. Thank you"
While speaking my friend had
busted himself preparing the lantern
so that matters moved absorbingly
and without delay.
ITO make the test little more
! interesting. he continued II will
first show you the thumb mark Of
gentleman whom | have great de-
sire TO meet. We will compare the
others with this one"
On the disk OF light thrown upon
the wall appeared IA peculiar arrange
ment Of lines jagged, running into
each other, beginning nowhere and
ending i'm the same place.
Presently with my list before him
Banks pushed the long slide in and
stopped at No. T. For few seconds
he allowed il TO show out beside the
first. II exhibited conformation en-
tircly different. He then supcrim-
posed them or placed the figures on
the moving slide directly over that on
the stationary one. The result was a
most confused network OF interviewer
lines.
Quickly he hurried through my list,
treating each in the same manner
and allowing the dissimilarities to
speak for themselves. Presently one
Of the thumbmarks fitted so nicely
over the stationary one that not a
single variation could be observed.
There was no crossing Of the lines
and no blur. So perfect was the
matching Of the impression that i
turned my eyes toward the lantern
TO be sure that the two slides were
really there. As did so | noticed
commotiOn in the back part Of the
room. Then came yell from Banks.
Seize him John Traskcr-the
mu rdcrer Don't let him escape,
me n :"
Before hand could be raised to
stay him John Trasker had plunged
headforemost through the window
and was flying with terror at his
heels down the road.
Era tho doors nnnId ha nnana1 nnI
n hue and cry raised he had secure d
long start. AS it was only du SIX
outside and there were few houses
near the factory, he was still in view,
however, and the men tore after him
with cries of stop the murderer {!
Stop him :"
Presently clatter Of hoofs was
heard and horse and rider
dashed past them, and gained rapidly
upon the fugitive. Seeing he would
be shortly oyertakcn if he kept the
road. Trasker climbed stone wall
and dashed across meadow.
With leap the rider cleared his
saddle; with single bound he went
over the wall and almost before the
other pursuers realized what was hap
pening, John Trasker was struggling
to free his pinioned arms from the
iron grasp Of his muscular captor.
"Why, il it isn't Stanton - cried
Mr.. Williams i'm surprise, as he and
the others came up.
Good" exclaimed Banks, with
grin; this is IL little bit of poetic
Justice | hadn't arranged for.
Arriving at the factory, Trasker
broke down and made n most abject
confession. He had planned to re-
main behind that evening to rifle the
open safe. Ovcrhearing the quarrel
between uncle and nephew, he saw
how il might be used to his advan-
tage. On his way through the gem
eral office he looked through Stanton's
desk and secured his knife. Return
ing after the deed to complete the
evidence against the young fellow,
he had left the discriminating thumb
mark.
As for Stanton, his story was very
simple. He had returned to the
premises that evening with view to
apologizing to his uncle, but pride
overcoming his good intention, he
had gone away again without enter
ing. shortly afterward meeting
friend, who lived some twenty miles
from town, he had been tempted
with the prospect OF a days shoot
ing to accompany him home. Three
o'clock that afternoon, and just after
they had got back from the woods,
the first information OF what had oc-
Cured reached him, and borrowing
his friends mare he started post
haste for the factory, with what re-
suit has already been made known.
Banks received fifty dollar check
and abundant thanks from his charm
ing young client, and some fifteen
months later an invitation TO the
wedding.-[ New York Press.
n.~r Reear,ino Best