Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-26
Copyright, 1895, by the Author.
CHAPTER XXI

conceive what tney nno Go Wrlle ~
much about. And proportionate results
from their tireless toll are not discover
able in the huge official looking tonnes
over which they labor. It seems as If
they must be ambitiously training to
become recorders Of the affairs of the
universe in a weird hereafter Of their
own imagining, and that they write
with dry pens upon ever unsullied
sheets, Just for practice in the exercise.
When John Latham had threaded the
labyrinthine ways at police headquarters
to the Office Of the detective force, ne OF
course found the sergeant at the desk
engaged in writing and stood so long
waiting for his presence to be noticed,
wstching the motion Of the pen, that he
began to feel it mesmerizing him. But
NO discourtesy to him was intended
The sergeant was writing; that was all
Eventually the indefatigable caligra-
phist suspended his task, or training,
long enough to look up and say interroga'
lively:
"Well?' ,.
"Iwould like to get some information
about the arrest Of young man who Is,
i understand, locked up here, Nh. Ches'
ter Sewall"
At the mention Of that name the ser.
aeant seemed to wake to new interest
in life
"Ah, yes" he responded promptly.
"What do you want to know about
hfm?''
Primarily, Is he in custody herel"
The sergeant seemed to reflect mo-
ment; then, exclaiming, "I'n inquire;
wait a moment until see the inspect
or" darted into an adjoining room.
After minutes absence he returned
and ushered the inquirer into that room,
the private Office Of the famous head Of
the detective force. Mr.. Latham looked
with interest at the inspector, whom he
had never before met, SO far as he knew,
but Of whom he had heard great deal
built man in the prime Of life, with
kindly but resolute face and suaye,
engaging demeanor.
eyes" said the inspector, speaking
in voice that struck his visitor as be-
ing singularly resonant and mellow, 1--WE
have Chester Sewal in cell down be-
low. What is your interest in making
the inquiry"
"That Of a friend. We occupy ad-
joining rooms. I have been away from
the city on business, and upon my re-
turn home this morning received note
informing me Of his arrest, but afford
ing no particulars as to its cause. "
While speaking he presented his pri-
vate card to the inspector, who upon
glancing at it asked:
'Of the firm Of Gaunett, Stryker q
Latham?"
"Yes. You know the frm?"
"Only by reputation 1t affords me
pleasure to meet one Of its members.
"Thanks But about my friend?"
"You speak Of him as your friend
May I ask how longsyou have known
him?"
ever since can remember. We
were boys together. I lost sight Of him
little while he was going to college,
but since his coming to New York in
November last our association has been
intimate But you don't tell me on
what charge he is held"
''He tried to swindle the keeper Of a
cheap Bowery restaurant out of the
price Of q meal and created disturb
ance when the man objected to being
swindled"
"Good heavensl You horrify me! l
knew that Chet had not been altogether
successful in some Of his speculative
ventures, but had no idea he was in so
desperate condition. Destitute Of the
means to purchase food! Why, it is hor-
riblel He certainly had no intention Of
swindling the man He could not have
had The thing is impossible, I assure
you. He might have wanted credit and
could safely have been trusted for he
was sure Of having means to pay as
soon as I got home All he would have
had to do would have been to ask me.
The restaurant keeper would have lost
nothing by him Why, a more honest
hearted fellow than Chet Sewall doesn't
live"
The inspector listened with an in
dulgent but sardonic smile to this hon
est outflow Of friendship and manly
sympathy. When it ended, he coolly re-
marked:
"a bundle Of pawn tickets was found
In his possession when he was arrested,
and the articles represented by them
have been reclaimed from the pawn
brokers and brought here for identifca-
hon by the owners if possible"
"Why, good God, man, you surely
don't suspect poor Chet Of being a
thief"
"It's hard to tell who won't steal
when he is hungry" replied the in
spector cynically, opening a drawer in
his desk and exposing miscellaneous
lot of rinkets, among which a fine
watch and chain were conspicuous.
"Do you know any Of these things"'
he asked
"The watch and chain are his own
That know positively"
"And the jewelry? Women's most Of