Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-03-15
A sPECK OF DIRT.

months, but now the bills were removed
from the windows, and painters and pa
per hangers took possession of the prem
Uses, to be succeeded by the young man
with the yard measure and his satellites
who represented a certain famous furni-
ture emporium in the Tottenham Court
road.
Arguing from the fact that neat
brougham containing feminine figure
in sealskin and latest thing in Partisan
headgear paid frequent visits to the
scene of operations, report said that the
new tenant was woman. The assertion
was verified when she moved in one day,
and the neat brougham, in company
with victoria and couple of saddle
horses, took up its quarters in neigh
boring news. She was young, moreover,
and unmarried, and American from the
crown Of her well poised head to the
tip Of her little arched feet.
Beyond her companion, a British
dame of middle age, she was alone and
why she required that great ugly man.
sion in dingy Bloomsbury. was incom-
prehensible.
Her left hand neighbor alone hazard
ed no idle conjectures regarding her.
Mr.. Barlow was a tall, spare, middle
aged man, but no ascetic, for if his ap-
pearance afforded a reliable index to his
character he inclined more to port wine
than imagination. He was supposed to
be childless widower, and his black
broadcloth and fat watch chain were
redolent of opulent and Philistine re-
spectability.
But although Mr.. Barlow took no in
terest whatever in her, strange to relate,
she evidently took great interest in
him. For when, shortly after her ar
rival, he came out of his house to go for
walk the newly hung lace curtains in
the dining room were slightly drawn
aside, and the eloquent gray eyes of Miss
Sadie B. Ruddock, late Of New York,
scrutinized him with peculiar intensity.
The same day a young lady, richly
dressed and alone, entered the offices Of
Messrs. Lupton & Doyle, the celebrated
private inquiry agents, and was forth
with ushered into the presence Of the
junior partner. She came to the point
with that promptitude which usually
distinguished the actions of her compa-
triots.
''Mr. Doyle" she said, IT require
your assistance in a matter Of great inn
portance to me-a matter that concerns
some one in whom I am greatly inter-
ested. Plainly, I want you to help me
clear the name of an innocent man who
was sentenced to five years penal servi
tude He did not serve his time. The
train which was conveying him to Port
land was wrecked. In the ensuing con-
fusion he escaped and made his way in
. safety to the United States, where he is
now living under an assumed name.
But he cannot rest until his guilt is re-
futed and the real criminal brought to
justice AS he dare not return to Eng
land for the purpose have come in his
stead. If needful, will spend thou
sands rather than fail. %
SIS he related to you?"
''He is my future husband" she said,
with blush. ''In order to make the
matter plain, had better give you
brief outline of his trial. It was only
two years ago. Perhaps you may re-
member it? His name is Wilfred Vim
ing, and he was convicted of uttering
forged bank notes. They were given to
him in the course of some business
transactions by Mr.. Barlow, who sub
sequently denied all knowledge Of the
affair. I am hopeful in renewing inves-
tigation, because unfortunately Mr..
Vining was poor, which no doubt had
something to do with the failure of his
defense
''Hum, said the detective obviously
Eff understand you Alright, you want
to obtain proof, after the lapse of three
years, that certain notes were given by
one man to another in an interview
without witnesses My dear lady, it
isn't possible. -
"But you don't understand me at
all" replied the fair American. "What
/ want you to prove for me is my con-
yiction that this Barlow's respectable
exterior masks forger. l was sure he
was a villain when that poor boy told
me his story. | am more than ever sure
since I've seen the fellow. I don't like
his eyes. a man with eyes like that
would do anythingP'
=: The detective laughed.
my dear young lady, what sensa-
.tional theory! However, it's possible, Of
course, and therein lies the only chance
] can see of clearing Mr.. Winning. What
sort of person is Mr.. Barlow?"
"He is believed to be retired mer-
chant of means and childless widow
tn L,c aoouniod 1areyo hn11co
one of tie west Central squares for the
last three years and lives alone with
the exception of servants, two male and
one female. have taken the next house.
! thought it might be useful. y
j sit may be useful. | see you have
been doing a little detective work on
your own account" he said, smiling.
$50 far SO good. But please don't make
any more inquiries about him. II he
has anything to conceal, we don It want
to set him OH his guard"
He shifted on his chair and scrib.
ebled on blotting pad.
F'By the'way, 1 suppose you are quit
sure that Mr.. Winnings version of the
affair is eorrect?'
Il would stake my life on his truth
and honor
"You are biased, my dear MADAME"
POSSIBLY. But common sense must
tell you that if he had wished to deceive
me as to his character he need not hays
confided to me his name and history.
However, if you are afraid to under
take the case. say SO, Mr.. Doyle, and !
will 60 to some one else"
''Afraid2 Not at all, IS said the detect
I've, with alacrity. ST shall be happy to
exert my best endeavors on Mr.. Vim,
ing's behalf %
The first thing the detective did was
to set watch upon Mr.. Barlow from
next door, but he had to pass the notes
after he had forged them, SO his every
movement out of doors was reported,
At the end of couple of weeks the pri-
vate inquiry agent began to look blank.
Mr.. Barlow S conduct was irreproach.
able He went for walk every day, and
once he visited his tailor's. That was
all. He was invariably home before
dark.
"I'll have him Swallowed for anoth-
er week, but really don't see much use