The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-02-23
A E OF DIRT.

SS ~ AANSN 6SSA w Z Az
months, but 0 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 mar
with the yard measure and his satellite!
who represented a certain famous furni
ture emporium in the Tottenham Court
road.
Arguing from the fact that q neal
brougham containing a feminine figure
In sealskin IA latest thing in Partisan
headgear paid frequent visits to the
scene of operations, report said that the
new tenant was a woman. The assertion
was verified when she moved in n dav,
and the neat brougham, in company
with o victoria and a couple of saddle
horses, took up its quarters in q 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
e no idle conjectures 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 more to port wine
thar imagination. He was supposed to
be a childless widower, and his black
~hFnRHPInEh and fak xrafpI aLoS~ -z--
redolent of opulent and Philistine re-
sp~ectability.
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 ont of his house to 90 for
a 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.e Doyle, she said, II require
your assistance in a matter of great i'm
portance to me-a matter that concerns
some one in whom / am greatly inter
ested. Plainly, l 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-
tuteh and the real criminal brought to
justice. As he dare not return to Eng
lane for the purpose, / have come in his
stead. If needful, | will spend thou
sands rather than fail"
us he related to your
He is my future husband, - she said.
with a blush. "Iu order to make the
matter plain, l had better give you a
brief outline of his trial. 1t was only
W 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 a Mr.. Barlow, who sub
sequently denied all knowledge of the
affair. am hopeful in renewing inves-
tlgation. because unfortunately Mr..
Vlnlng was poor, which no doubt had
something to do with the failure of his
defense" ."
Hum, " said the detective dubiouslv.
III L understand you Alright, you want
20 obtain proof, after the lapse of three
years, that certain notes were given nv
one man to another in an interview
without witnesses. My dear lady, it
isn't possible"
But You don't understand me at
" replied the fair American. what
L want You to prove for me is my CON.
Viction that this Barlow's respectable
exterior masks a forger. | was sure he
was a villain when that poor hoyStold
me his story. ] am moro than ever sure
w 0Ouh tuO ICllOW. = L QON y Ike |
his eyes. A man with eyes like that
would do anythingf"
The detective laughed.
NY dear young lady, what a sensa-
tional theory However, it's possible, of
courses and therein lies the only chance
! can see of clearing Mr.. Vining. What
sort of person is Mr.. Barlow?"
He is believed to be a retired mer-
chant of means and a childless widow.
er. He has occupied a large house in
one Of the west central squares for the
last three years and lives alone with
the exceptions Of servants, two male and
one female, Ihaye taken the next house.
! thought it might be- useful"
1T may be useful. / see You have
been doing . little detective work ON
account" he said, smiling.
$50 Tar SO good. Bnt please don't make
any more inquiries about him. III he
has anything 20 conceal, we don't want
. set him q his guard |
&
$500 &E G&LI LEEE