Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-10
A sPECK OF DIRT.

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The empty house in the square wa
taken at last. 1t had been to let TO
months, but now the bills were remove,
from the windows, and painters and pa
per hangers took possession of the prem
ises, to be succeeded by the young mai
with the yard measure and his satellite
who represented a certain famous furni
ture emporium in the Tottenham Cour
road
Arguing from the fact that a nea
brougham containing a feminine fgur,
in sealskin and latest thing in Partisan
headgear paid frequent visits to tn,
scene of operations, report said that til,
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 we'll 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 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 a 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, II require
your assistance in a matter of great i'm.
portanoe to me-a matter that concerns
some one in whom I am greatly inter-
ested. Plainly, ! want you to help me
clear the name of AL 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"
is he related to your
"He is my future husband" she said,
with blush. In order to make the
matter plain, I had better give you
brief outline Of his trial 1t 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
denied all knowledge of the
affair. ] am hopeful in renewing inves-
tigation, because unfortunately Mr..
Vining was poor, which no doubt had
something to do with the failure of his
Hum, said the detective obviously.
IT I understand You Alright, you want
10 obtain proof, after the lapse of three
years, that certain notes were given by
me man to another in an interview
without witnesses. My dear lady, it
sn't possible.
"But you don't understand me at
III, /" replied the fair American. "What
want you to prove for me is my con-
fiction that this Barlow's respectable
exterior masks a forger. was sure he |
vas villain when that poor boy told
ne his story. I am more than ever sure
inoe I've seen the fellow. don't like
lis eyes. A man with eyes like that
would do anything!"
The detective laughed.
"My dear young lady, what sensa.
ional theory However, it's possible, Of
curse, aud therein lies the only chance
can see Of clearing Mr.. Vining. What
ort Of person is Mr.. Barlow?''
HE is believed to be retired mer-
liant of means and childless widow.
r. He has occupied q large house in
ne of the west central squares for the
asst three years and lives alone with
be exception Of servants, two male and
ne female. Ihave taken the next house.
thought it might be useful. /"
ut may be useful. ! see you have
cen doing a little detective work on
our own account" he said, smiling.
So far so good. But please don't male
ny more inquiries about him. II he
as anything to conceal, we don't want
> cot him on his guard. =