Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-29

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Defhy remored q pocket handkerchief.
tered through double doors, having
glass panels in the upper half. About
these panels arc draped yellow silk cur
tains, and III the center Of each appears
a white porcelain numeral. These com
partments are used as public telephone
stations, the applicant being shut in,
so as to be free from the noise of the
outer room.
Mr. Barnes spoke to tho girl in charge
and then passed into the compartment
numbered .. Less than five minutes
later Mr.. Leroy Mitchell came into the
reading room. His keen eyes peered
about him, scanning the countonances
of those busy with the papers or writ
ing, and then he gave the telephone girl
a number and went into the compart-
mont numbered L. About ten minutes
elapsed before Mr.. Mitchell came out
again, and having paid the toll he left
the hotel When Mr. Barnes emerged,
there was an expression Of extreme sat
isfaction upon his face, and without
lingering he also went out. But instead
of following Mr.. Mitchell through tho
main lobby to Broadway he crossed the
reading room and reached Twenty third
street through the side door. Thence he
proceeded to the station of the elevated
railroad and went up town. Twenty
minutes later he was ringing the bell of
Mr.. Mitchels residence. The buttons
who answered his summons informed
him that his master was not at home
''He usually comes in to luncheon,
however, does he not:" asked the de-
tectiye.
"Yes, SIR" responded the boy. 49,
as Mrs. Mitchell at homer" -.
"No, sir" -.
Miss Rose?" ~-t&'s~
ayes, sir.
"Ah. then, I'll wait. Take my card
to her. -
Mr.. Barnes passed into the luxurious
drawing room and was soon joined by
Rose, Mr.. Alitchels adopted daughter
Il am sorry papa is not at home, Mr..
Barnes" said the little lady, but he
will surely be in to luncheon if you
will wait"
YES, thank you, think I will Il is
quite a trip up, and, being here, l may
as well stop awhile and see your father,
though the matter is not of any great
Importance.
''Some interesting case, Mr.. Barnes?
If so, DO tell me about it. You know
am almost as much interested in your
cases as papa is -
Eyes, | know you are, and my van
ity is fiattered. But l am sorry to say
have nothing on hand at present worth
relating. My errand is very simple
one. Your father was saying a few days
ago that he was thinking of buying a
bicycle, and yesterday by accident |
came across machine of an entirely
new make, which seems to me superior
to anything yet produced. / thought he
might be interested to SEQ it before de-
Gliding what kind to buy"
Il am afraid you are too late, Mr..
Barnes. Papa has bought a bicycle al.
ready"
Indeed! What style did he choose?"
Il really do not know, but it is down
in the lower hall, if you care 20 look at
it"
1t is hardly worth while, Miss Rose
After all, / have no interest in the new
model, and if your father has found
something that he likes l won't even
mention the other to him. 1t might
only make him regret his bargain. Still,
on second thought, l will go down
with you, if you will take me into the
dining room and show me the head of
the moose which your father has been
Dragging about killing. / believe it has
como back from the taxidermist?'
"Oh, yes. He is just monster. Come
on.
They went down to the dining room,
and Mr.. Barnes expressed great admira-
ton about the moose's head and praised
Mr.. Mitchel's skill as marksmap.
But he had taken moment to scruti.
nlze the bicycle, which stood in the hall.
way, while Rose was opening the blinds
III the dining room. Then they returned
to tho drawing room, and after little
more conversation Mr.. Barnes departed,
saying that he could not wait any lon
ger, but he charged Rose to tell her IA
ther that he particularly desired him to
call at noon on the following day.
Promptly at the time appointed Rem.
inSton walked into the office of Mr..
Barnes and was announced The detect.
i've was i'll his private room, and Mr.,
Leroy Mitchell had been admitted but a
few moments before.
ASK Mr.. Remington ill.," said Mr.
Barnes to his boy, and when that gentle.
man entered, before he could show sur-
prise to find third party present, the
detective said:
Mr.. Mitchell, this is the gentleman
whom l wished you to meet Permit
me to introduce to you Mr.. Mortimer
). Goldie, better known to the sporting