Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-20

leave the train?" Receiving an acauies-
cent ned, the two friends walked to the
other end of the coach. Mr.. Barnes alb
ruptly started up, and without word
jumped from the train as it slowly roll
ed into the great depot. He went up to
a man quickly, said few words in an
undertone, and both went back toward
the train. Presently the woman who had
been robbed came along, and as she
passed out of the building Mr.. Barnes
companion followed her. He himself
was about to depart, when, feeling q
light tap upon his shoulder, he turned
and faced MIR. Mitchell.
"Mr. Barnes" said the latter, st
want a few words with you. Will you
breakfast with me in the restaurants
"How did you know that my name is
Barnes:"
Il did not know, though I do now"
and he laughed in a complacent manner
which Jared on Mr. Barnes. The de-
tective felt that this man was getting
the best Of him at every turn. But fer
Eli that ne was only the more determined
to trap him in the end. Accustomed to
think quickly, he decided to accept the
invitation, considering that he could
lose nothing and might gain much by
further acquaintance. The two men
Therefore Went below to the eating room
and seated themselves at small table.
After giving the waiter liberal order
DIR. Mitchell began:
won't it be best for us to understand
Harues:'
q don't know what you mean"
81 think you do You asked me mo-
naeut ago how knew your name. As I
said, l did not know it, though suspect
ed it. Shall tell you Why
"Certainly, il you wish"
"Perhap; l an fool to show you
your first blunder in this game, since
.1u are evidently enlisted against me,
but as l sent my friend off alone pur-
posely for the chance Of doing SO can
not resist the temptation
"Stop a moment, Mr.. Mitchell. am
not such fool as you take me to be.
knew what you arc going to say"
"Ah, indeed! That is clever"
"You are about to tell me that made
An ass of myself when spoke in the
coach upon refusing to be searched.
"Well, l should not have put it quite
so harshly, but the fact is this: When
you deliberately followed Randolph in
to the toilet room, became suspicious,
being, as l was, at your heels. When
the conductor spoke to NE, I refused
purposely, TO watch the effect upon you,
with the result, as You now see, that I
had my suspicion confirmed. l knew
that you were "a detective, and, that
point gained there was no further rea-
son for refusing the CONDUCTOR
''As said, 1 acted like an ass. But
did not need this warning. It will not
occur again, l assure you
"Of course see now that you over
heard our conversation last night, and,
such being the case, you naturally sus-
pscted me of this robbery. But I am
wondering, if you did overhear our talk,
why you did not watch no all night. +"
70 this Mr.. Barnes made no reply. 81
have one favor to ask
'What is it?''
"That you reveal TO no one the fact
that l have undertaken to commit a
crime. You Of course are at liberty to
play the ferret and convict me-if you
can
"As surely as you commit crime, so
purely will convict you Of it," replied
Mr.. Barnes. lit will be perhaps to my
interest to keep what know to myself,
but it will not do to make any promises
to you. l must he free to act as circum-
stances direct"
VERY good. will tell you where
am stopping and give You permission
to call to see me whenever you please,
day or night. have a suit of rooms at
the Fifth a 'nue. Now let me ask you
one question. DO you think that l COM
mitted this re. bery:''
81 will answer you with question.
Did you commit this robbery:''
'!Capital. l see I have foenan
worthy of my steel. Well, We will leave
both questions unanswered for the pres
ent.''
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