People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-06-15
THE MERCHANTS CRIME,
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR,
CHAPTER I
The Mysterious Customer.

, ' JNSV OPpOoAIO cudlA
drug shop. Quickly glancing up
and down the street with a furtive
look, as if he wished to avoid recog-
milton from any passerby who might
know him, he entered the shop. 1t
was small shop, not more than
twelve feet wide by eighteen deep.
The only person in attendance was a
young man approaching thirty years
OF age his eyes and hair very light,
and his features small and insignif-
cant he was the druggists clerk,
working on a small salary of $40 a
week, and his name was James
Cromwell.
He came forward as the person
first named entered the shop
How can l serve you, sir?n he in
CURED in a respectful voice.
The person addressed drew from
his pocket a piece of paper on which
a name was inscribed.
81 want that" he said; "do you
happen to have it?n
The shOpman's face was tinged
with slight color as he read the
name inscribed on the paper
You are aware, suppose, that
this is subtle poison?" he said in
terrogatively.
"Yes, said the other, in a tone of
outward cOmposure, $50 l under
stood from the friend who desired
me to procure it for him. Have YOU
1t, or shall | have to 90 elsewhere?"
"Yes; we happen to have it by the
merest chance, although it is rather
a rare drug in the materia medica.
l will get it for you at once. y
1.-The customers face assumed an
air OF satisfaction as the clerk spoke,
and ne sat down on a stool in front
OF the counter. James Cromwell
quickly placed a small parcel in his
hands and the customer, drawing out
a pocket-boOk, which appeared to be
well filled, paid for his purchase. He
then walked out of the shop and to
the corner of the street, where he
walled for an uptown car. As he
lett the shop, ragged boy of 10,
Win a sharp, weazened face, en-
tered.
81 want an ounce of caramels," he
said.
wait a minute, do you want to
earn a quarter?" demanded the shop
man, abruptly.
Il reckon l do" answered the
urchin.
Then you must follow a gentle
man who just went out of the shop;
find out where he lives and what his
name is Come out, and | will point
him out to you"
just outside OF the door, James
Cromwell cast his eyes up the street
and saw his late customer in the act
of jumping on board a Fourth avenue
car.
There he is" he said, hastily
pointing him out to the boy. you
will have to ride too. Canyon catch
that carp"
i've got no money" said the bow.
"Here's quarter. Now run"
But I'm to have a quarter be-
sides?n
"1es, yes. Make haste"
The boy ran forward and succeeded
in Overtaking the car and Chamber
ing on board
"Look here, young chap" said the
conductor suspiciously. "have you
got any money to pay your fare?"
"Yes, | have" said the bow.
"Don't you be afraid, old boss.
"ShOw your money, then"
The boy produced the quarter
which had just been given him.
YOU'RE richer than / supposed"
said the conductor Here's your
change"
The boy put back the twenty-five
cents remaining in the pocket OF his
ragged pants, and began to look
about him for the passenger whom
he was required to track. The lat
ter was seated on the left hand side,
four seats from the door.
The car rapidly proceeded up
town, passing Union square and the
Everett house at the corner of Sew
enteenth street Two blocks farther
and the passenger first introduced
rose from his seat.
Next corner" he said to the con-
ductor
The latter pulled the strap and the
car stopped.
The gentleman got out, and turned
westward up Twenty-ninth street.
Hake scrambled out also, and fol-
lowed him up the street He crossed
Madison avenue, and did not pause
till he had reached a handsome
house between Seventh and Eighth
avenues. Before this time he had
thrown open the coat in which he
hHd been mufied, for the weather
was not inclement, appearing to feel
that there was now no further need
of concealment. He assembled the
steps of the house. and rang the bell.
The door was opened directly by a
servant, and he entered. Scarcely
had the door closed when Hake also
assembled the steps and looked at the
door-plate. The name was there,