Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-04-12
x sPECK OF DIRT.

AAN NnARAI M0H1l III tuu hQudIb was
tab-A st last Il had been to let for
months. but now the bills were removed
from the windows, and painters and pa
per hangers took possession OF the prem
iaea to DO succeeded by the young man
with the yard measure and his satellites
who represented a certain famous furni-
turc emporium in the Tottenham Court
road.
Arguing from the fact that n neat
a;oUgham containing a feminine figure
IA sealskin and latest thing in Partisan
acadgear paid frequent visits to tho
scene Of operations report said that the
new tenant was awoman The assertion
was verified when sho moved in one day,
and the eat brougham, in company
with q victoria and a couple Of saddle
horses, took up its quarters in a neigh
boring news. She was young, moreover,
and unmarried, and American from the
crown Of her we'll poised head TO the
tip Of her little archod feet.
Beyond her companion, q 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 oonjectures regarding her.
Mr.. Barlow was a tall, spare, middle
aged man, but no a%scetic, for If his ap-
pearance afforded a reliable index TO his
character he inclined moro to port wine
than imagination. He was supposed to
be a ohildless widower, and his black
b~roadcloth aud fat watch chain were
redolent Of opulent and Philistine re-
speotability.
But although Mr., Barlow took no in
terest whatever in her, strange to relate,
she evidently took a great interest in
him. For when, shortly after her ar
rival, he came out Of his house to 60 for
walk the newly hung lace curtains in
tho 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 sarne day a young lady, richly
dressed and alone, entered the offices Of
Messrs. I,upton s. Doyle, the celebrated
private inquiry agents, and was forth
with ushered into the presence Of the
junior partner. Sho came to the point
with that p%romptitude which usually
distinguished the actions of her compa-
triots.
"Mr. Doyle, " she said, II require
your assistance in a matter Of great inn
portanco to me-a matter that concerns
some one in whom / am greatly inter-
ested. Plainly, 1 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 zeal criminal brought tC
Justice As he dare not return to Eng.
land for the purpose, 1 have como IN his
stead. If needful, / will spend thou.
sands rather than fail"
els he related TO your
HE is my future husband, " she said,
with a blush. "In order to make tbs
matter plain, I had better give you
brief outline Of his trial It was only
two years ago. Perhaps you may TO
member It? His name is Wilfred Vim
. ing, and he was convicted Of u~tterinI
forged bank notes. They were given t.
him in the course of some bushes
transactions by a Mr.. Barlow, who sub
xeouontly denied all knowledge of tn
affair. / am hopeful in renewing inves
tigation, because unfortunately MI
Vining was poor, which no doubt ha
something to do with the failure of hi
defense"
Hum - said the detective obviously
eff l understand You Alright, you wan
to obtain proof, after the lapse Of thre
years, that certain notes were given b
one man TO another in an interview
without witnesses. My dear lady,
isn't possible.
"But you don't understand me 1
all, " replied the fair American. "Wh'
Iwart you to prove for me is my COZ
viotion that this Barlow's respectabI
exterior masks q forger. l was sure !
wa a villain when that poor boy tol
me his story. I am moro than over sui
since I've seen the fellow. don't iii
his eyes A man with eyes like thu
would do a%nythingl'
The detective laughed.
MY dear young lady, what a sens
tional theory However, it's possible,
course, and therein lies the only ohan'
can see Of clearing Mr.. Winning. VIII
sort Of person Is Mr.. Barlow9'
"Ho Is believed TO DO q retired me
chant Of means and q childless widow
er. He has occupied a large house
one Of the west central squares for q
last three years and lives alone wi
the exception Of servants, two male az
go feueIo have taken theuext hons
thought Il might be useful"
1T may be useful. / see you ha'
been doing a little detective work
your own account. - he said, smilin
$50 FAR 80 good. Pat please don't ma
u more Inquiries about him. If
has anything to conceal, we don't wa