Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-06

excitement and the satisfaction for
which had wished. One thing threat
ened to upset my plans. Mr.. Barnes by
an odd chance came aboard the same
coach, was given the section next to
ours and overheard our conversation.
This of course could not have counted
upon.
"You did take it into your account.
though" interrupted Mr.. Barnes.
"You mean that refused to tell Mr..
Randolph what I meant to do, saying
that might be overheard, and that I
might even be talking for the benefit OF
a listening detective? True, but had
no idea that this was so. 1t was merely
extreme precaution, and only shows that
we can never be too cautious in an en-
deavor to keep secret Later, however,
heard you get up, and peeping through
the curtains l saw you sitting up or
rather lying in a berth opposite. with
the curtains drawn. l at once supposed
that you must be detective. My COM
panion was soon asleep, but with $780,
900 worth of jewels in the balance I
could not sleep. was busy wondering
what should do. think, though, that
must have doZed, for know that I
was startled to discover suddenly that
we were not moving. looked out Of
our section window-fortunately was
next to it-and found that we had run
into the depot at New Haven. Like q
flash it came to me that the thief might
leave the train here. 1 was about to get
up, when to my establishment noticed
man sneaking along by the side CT the
train. 1 was on the side opposite to that
from which the passengers would alight,
and the suspicious actions of the man
forced me to watch him. He passed SO
close to me that ! could have touched
him had my window been open, and as
he did SO the light Of an electric lamp
disclosed the fact that lie had my
satchel The thief had been robbed al
ready. The man approached coal bin,
and stopping showed the satchel behind
it. Then he returned to the train and
came aboard.
81 said to myself: THAT fellow is
an artist. He will remain on board till
the robbery is discovered, if necessary,
and even allow himself to be searched.
Then he will quietly come back and get
the satchel and jewels Thus it was
my cue to act quickly. But if left the
train knew that the detective would see
me. therefore gently raised the sash
and deity let myself to the ground out
of the window. quickly took the satch-
ell, ran to the end of the depot, and
found a place where could shove it far
under the platform. Then I climbed
back into the berth, and after that as
sure you slept very well.
The company applauded this descrip-
ton Of how the robbery had been COM
mitted, and Mr.. Mitchell bowed.
"Wait, my friends we are not through
yet. The woman who had robbed me
had the supreme audacity to report her
loss, or perhaps we should say that she
was SO angry that she became desper-
ate. have reason to believe that she
had an accomplice i'll this man, and that
suspecting him Of robbing her she
would have been willing to give testi-
mony against him if caught and trust
to escape herself by turning states evil
dence. When we We're running in to
New York, Mr.. Barnes directed that all
should be searched. enjoyed that, l
assure you. 1t seemed SO amusing to
look in New York for what I knew was
in New Haven. At the same time I was
anxious to get back to New Haven as
quickly as possible. With that end in
view invited Mr.. Barnes to breakfast
with me. tried to make it appear that
I was anxious to have him agree to be
the only detective OH my track, but in
reality wished to discover whether he
would be able at once to place spy at
my heels; that is, whether he had a
man at the Grand Central already. This
l found was the case. therefore was
obliged to go to my hotel as though
having no desire to leave town again.
Then subsequently eluded this man
by the convenient bridges across the
elevated railroad. Invent to New Ha-