Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-24


said Mr.. Barnes, ''for the simple reason
that have adopted none as yet. 1t has
always been my practice to avoid decid-
ing upon theory too early. A detective
with theory will invariably be tempt-
ed to work to prove his assumption. 1
work to discover the truth Therefore
avoid theories
GOOD! see that my opinion of de-
tectives. as expressed in the converse
tion Which You overheard, must be
modified. I still think am right in the
main, but you are an exception to the
general rule
"Mr. Mitchell, don't care for compli-
ments. You are at present in a very sus-
picious position. You said you could ex-
plain how you were able to identify that
woman"
II will do SO. First let me state that
I never saw her but once before in nv
life. The story is very short. I have
been in this city less than two years.
became engaged to Miss Remsen last
winter. About month later received
letter signed Rose Mitchell, which in
formed me that the writer could divulge
a secret in relation to my family which
would cause Miss Remsen to break with
me. A price was named for silence, and
a photograph inclosed that might be
able to recognize the woman, for she
boldly announced that she would call in
person for the money. She did so, and l
have never seen her again till today"
"Can You prove this story?"
Il will show you the letter and the
photograph if you will come with me to
the Garfield safety vaults"
Twill 60 with you at once. Did you
pay the money demanded:'
II did
do yen not know that it is suspicious
tends to prove that be is in the black
mailer's power.
"That is correct. / was in this wom-
ans power"
'That is serious admission, now
that she has been murdered
KNOW it. But here we are at the
vaults.
The two men entered the building,
and Mr.. Mitchell obtained the key to his
compartment. He never took it away
from the place, for he thought it safer
in the keeping Of the officers of the
vaults. Descending into the great strong
room he took tin box from his drawer,
and then went into little private room
provided with table and chairs. Open
ing the box he took cut several packages
which he laid on one side. Among these
the detective was amazed to see red
Russia leather case bound around with
q strap. upon which appeared the name
Mitchell in gold letters. Could it be pos
sible that this was the case containing
the missing jewels?
"Ah! Here it is," said Mr.. Mitchell
Here is the photograph. He handed
it to Mr.. Barnes, who saw at once that
it was the picture of the dead woman.
"And here is the letter. Shall l read it
to you?" Mr.. Barnes assented with a
nod. His thoughts were mainly upon the
red leather case. Mr.. Mitchell read aloud
''Mr. R. Mitchell:
'DEAR SII-You will be surprised to receive
this from one of whom perhaps you know lit
tie, but who knows much concerning your
family-so much that, were she to tell all She
knows, your high toned sweetheart would
send You adrift in n jiffy. Some say that ST.
lence is golden. So it must be in this case. If
You wish me to keep silent, you must be ready
to pay me $4,000 on Thursday night when
shall call for it. 1 send my photograph that
you may know / am the writer when call.
You see l am not afraid to do this because il
you call in the police l will simply tell my
story and You will be ruined. l may go to
Jail, but that does not worry me much, as
there are worse places. So be ready to receive
me on Thursday night. Yours truly,
"ROsE MITCHELL"
Mr.. Mitchell handed the above to Mr..
Barnes, who read it over carefully, ex-
amining the envelope and postmark,
both of which proved that the letter
was genuine and a year old.
Ibid you give her the amount de-
manded?" asked Mr.. Barnes.
II must explain what did. When
received that letter, it was plain that
there would be nothing to lose by re.
ceiving the woman and hearing he1
story. I determined not to give her any
money. Therefore, when she called, OF
course l did not have any such sum.
After listening to her 1 changed my
mind. l found that, through certain pa.
pers which she had, and which she die
not hesitate to show me, she would be
able to ventilate scandal which might
! result just as she adroitly prophesied-l
mean in the rupture of my engagement.
Naturally wished to avoid that. When
l told her that she should have the
money if she would call again, she be-
came furious and said had tricked he,
and now wanted a chance to hand he]
over to the police, etc. I saw that ]
must settle with her at once and did sc
on these terms: I agreed to give hel
cash enough to go to Europe and the
balance in jewels"
I'm jewels:" cried Mr.. Barnes. star
tied.
eyes, in jewels. You are surprised
but that is because you do not know my
! hobby. I am "a collector of Jewels,
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