Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-29

Vincent's private room, where we spent
half an hour in earnest consultation.
"My opinion, | said, is certainly that
the youth is guilty and that he has dis
covered some method of hiding his spoils
from the searchers night after night
but what method could he possibly
use?" asked Mr.. Vincent, putting his
hand to his forehead in despair Nothing
escapes the searchers - absolutely moth
ing"
II am not so sure of that l returned
slowly "Searchers are only human after
all, and possibly most simple trick has
deceived them. Is there any means by
room above?"
Cautiously enough" replied Mr.. Vim
cent, "there happens to be ii slylight in
room 15. Perhaps you noticed it when
you were there? Through that skylight
you would have ample opportunity of see
ing how he employs himself.
Every WE'LL" said. sit is no use my
watching him now, as he will, of course,
be on his guard. In a week time 1 will
return. Meanwhile, you will, of course,
keep your own counsel and let no inkling
as to my visit leak out in the place"
He treasured me heartily on this point,
and then we shook hands and parted
A week later l took up my position
above the skylight and watched the young
assayer closely.
must confess that he did nothing what
ever of a suspicious nature He pursued
his work calmly and methodically show
ing himself to be very industrious work
man.
He had habit or mannerism which
seemed to me rather strange in SO young a
man. 1t might be natural, or it might be
affected, but every now and again he
would pause in his work and pass his
long, nervous hands through his bushy,
auburn hair as though trying to collect
his thoughts. 1t reminded me very fore
IDLY of mannerism of Henry Irving and
thought it possible that Renshaw might
be bit stage struck and had, consciously
or unconsciously, adopted the mannerism
of the great actor.
Throughout the day staid in my I'M
comfortable position, elicitng nothing. At
o'clock the establishment closed, and l
came down from my perch and went
straight to Mr.. Vincent's room.
Mr. Vincent" l said, my search has
been useless so far. | am now going
round to Renshaw's place of residence
and | want you to give me his address and
invent some pretext for keeping him here
for, say, half an hour while I pursue my
Investigations.
Every well, (" he replied promptly, and
then ringing bell he told the messenger
who answered it to detain Renshaw and
not let him go until he had seen him. The
messenger having departed, Mr.. Vincent
wrote the address of the young man on a
slip of paper.
Jumping into hanson, drove as fast
as the cab would take me to 90 Acacia
Villas, Brixton, where Renshaw lodged.
Arrived there, I presented my card, and
having sufficiently overawed the landlady
by the magic name of detective l was
Ushered up into Renshaw's room and left
alone l had, of course, cautioned the
woman against giving him the slightest
hint when he came of my visit.
Then examined the room closely. In
one of the drawers l found collection of
tradesmen's bills, which proved clearly
that my BIRD had been going it for some
time past. One of the bills rather aston
ished me, for it was for a bottle of aniline
hair dye.
"What on earth should he want to dye
his hair for?" pondered-and then it
flashed upon me like lightning stroke
that Renshaw's auburn hair had never
seemed to me to be quite genuine. But
why should he desire to change its color2
AS l stood thinking heard his step on
the stairs. In a moment l had darted be-
hind a screen, which fortunately happened
to be standing in corner of the room, and
waited for his entry
He came in hurriedly and sat down on
the bed. Then he looked in his water can
and found it empty
He went to the door and called out:
"Mrs. Martin! I wish you would send up
some water at once You know l always
like to have wash directly get back"
Funny thing, this desire for cleanli-
ness thought. 81 saw him wash his
hands at s o'clock tonight before leaving
the assaying room. He is quite fanatical
on the subject of soap and water"
So reasoned, but was very soon to
find out the cause of Mr. Renshaw's desire
for water.
Up came the servant in moment, car
rying with her huge can. Renshaw
he locked the door and made preparations
for washing.
He filed the basin and put his head I'M
der water for about 40 seconds, slowly
raising it at the end of that time
He repeated the process again and again,
to my intense amazement and astonish-
ment. Of course there was nothing strange
in u man bathing his head, but when the
process was gone through a dozen times
surprise was perfectly natural.
When l look back on that night, always
wonder how can have been so dull as not
| to have guessed the reason of his act then
and there. But newborn babe could
| probably have assigned the reason as well
as I. Twas still hopelessly in the dark.
But, feeling that if the secret was ever
to be discovered it must he discovered
now, seized the opportunity, when Rem
shaw's head was turned toward the win
dow, Of stealing out from my hiding place
behind the screen and examining the basin
and it's contents.
Good heavens! In an instant the truth
flashed on me-the water was full of gold
dust washed from his head! Our sus-
picions had been correct, and Renshaw
was indeed the thief.
I was SO taken back by the discovery
that did not recollect his presence in the
room till he turned round suddenly and
uttered low cry.
In a moment had him firmly in my
grip.
II arrest you, Mark Renshaw," cried,
ION charge of theft. I've had nice
hunt to run you down, but reckon I've
done the trick at last
He turned az white as death.
"The games up" he said hoarsely.
"But it was good game while 1t lasted.
You can take me now whenever you like.
could not help admiring his self pos
session. saw the reason for the hair dye
and the reason for his passing his hands
frequently through his hair. The dye had