Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-04-26
A TRYING POSITION.

A TRYING POSITION.
Matters had come to a crisis between
myself and landlady. My bill was sadly
in arrears, and Mrs. Ringwoodie, having
passed from frowns to words and from
words to importantly, had ended with a
peremptory demand for payment
Not being ready or having the ready
to comply with her requirement. I had
nothing for it but to vacate my room
and surrender my night key, the former
being wanted, / was given to under
stand, for Mr.. O'Bosh, an old customer
Of Mrs. Ringwoodie whom she was
under standing promise to accommo-
date and whose arrival was hourly ex-
pected. Mr.. O'Bosh, may here say,
was Mrs. Ringwoodie's Mrs. Harris, q
convenient myth, one who never came,
but was always coming when delin-
quent boarder was to be got rid of.
1 had come to the city to be an author,
but my efforts with the pen to scrape
acquaintance with fame and fortune
had not proved over successful
Down to my last dollar, with no i'm
mediate prospect Of another, and wearied
with long search for a cheap boarding
house whose terms were not Invariably
in advance" sat me down in an out of
the way restaurant to face tough beef
steak and the still tougher question of
what was best to be done.
A grave looking gentleman sat oppo-
site, dividing his attention between q
bottle Of wine and the evening paper.
"What a bungling set these detectives
arep' said the gentleman, whose tone
left it doubtful whether he spoke to him
self or me-
why" he continued, answering my
look, ''here's that bank robbery, nearly
q week old, yet with every clew to
guide them and the stimulus Of hand
some reward besides, those who should
have been hot ON the scent within an
hour still stand gaping. with their fin
gers in their mouths. Things were man
aged differently in my day."
"You were detective once" ven
tured to surmisa
He nodded
"This reward--is il very larger" /
asked.
'sFive thousand dollars" he an
swered, "for the recovery of the proper
ty and capture Of the thief"
+" 'Twould be quick way to make
money" said ], ''if one knew how to go
about it.
"Would you like to go halves in max
ing the effortF' he queried, summing
me up with scrutinizing glance
II fear I should be of little service"
I returned IT have no experience in
such matters and am almost stranger
in the CITY,"
''The very thing to render your aid
invaluable. This crime is evidently not
the work of novice, and to your pro-
fessiona1 thief every detectives face is
as familiar as pals. The mere sight
of one puts the game to fight. Under
skillful guidance you could work unsus-
pected Now, if you'll put yourself in
my hands for SO hours, believe we can
bag the prize. What say you-is it a
bargain?"
Itwas not exactly the road to fortune
had set ont in, but it looked like a
shorter cut at starting. At any rate, my
circumstances were desperate, and / saw
no better chance to mend them.
81 accept your Offer" I said.
"Come along, then," /" said the stran-
ger, rising, and having settled our scores
we left the place together.
In the street he took my arm, and aft
er long walk through unfrequented by
streets my companion called halt be-
fore somber looking house, into which
he admitted us with latch key. He
led the way up stairs to shabbily fur
nished apartment, in which dim light
was burning.
We seated ourselves, and my compan-
ion was beginning to unfold his plans
when knock was heard at the door.
He held up his finger in token Of 81
lence.
The knock was three times repeated
in a peculiar manner, when my host got
up and cautiously opened the door.
A man stood outside with his hat
pulled over his eyes.
EXCUSE me moment" said my
companion. stepping out and closing the
door.
heard low and earnest voices in the
passage, but only distinguished the
words: "Train for Boston at 10. San
Francisco train at 1880"
Soon there was sound Of departing
footsteps, and the door Of the room OPEN
ed and the proprietor entered.
1--WE no time to explain further
now," he said. "Meet me at the depot
in time for the 10 o'clock train to Bos-
ton. ("
'sBut have no money, . I answered.
"I'll see to that, . he replied
There was little time to lose and
rose to go.
Would you mind carrying this
satchelp' said he. II have short stop
to make by the way, besides having q
valise to look after. =
/ received from his hand the article in
question, which vVas small and light
In the waiting room Of the depot my
attention was drawn to the clicking of q
telegraphic instrument.
| Y hal r,,on I,,,., nv, rr,ayaator. and had