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

from France, perhaps. He was therefore
astonished at the effect produced. The
woman arose suddenly. her whole man
her changed. She replied with her lips
compressed tightly, as though labcring
under some excitement.
''That is not essential. Perhaps am
telling too much to stranger anyway.
Come to my apartment this evening,
and will give you further particulars
If decide to leave the case in your
hands. If not, will pay you for what
ever trouble you have il the interim.
Good morning."
Mr.. Barnes watched her leave the
room without offering to detain her or
making any comment Oh her singular
manner. Without rising from his seat
he looked out of the window and strum-
med on the pane. What he thought it
would be difficult to tell, but presently
he said aloud, though there was no one
to hear him:
Il think she is a liarr'
Having relieved himself thus, he re-
turned TO his own coach. He found two
gentlemen in the toilet room allowing
themselves to be searched, laughing over
the matter as huge joke. He passed
by and entered his own compartment,
which the porter had put in order. One
after another the few passengers arose,
heard Of the robbery and cheerfully
passed through the ordeal of being
searched
AT last his patience was rewarded by
seeing the curtains of No. moving,
and moment later fine looking young
man of six and twenty emerged, partly
dressed, and went toward the toilet.
Mr.. Barnes sauntered after him, and en-
tered the smoking room. He had scarce
ly seated himself before lnan entered,
rho vas evidently the other occupant of
section 8, While this second man was
washing, she conductor explained to
the otEe- about tho robbery, and sug-
gested that he allow himself to &c search
ed. BY this time tho conductor was be-
coming excited. They were within a
few minutes Of New York. and all his
passengers had been examined save these
two. Yet these two looked more aristo-
cratic than any Of the others. He was
astoDished, therefore, to observe that the
young nan addressed seemed very much
disturbed. He stammered and suffered,
seeking words, and finally III u hoarse
voice addressed his companions:
Bob, do You hear, there's been a
robbery''
his friend Bob was bending over the
water basin, his head and face covered
with stiff soap lather and his hands
rubbing his skin vigorously. Before
replying he dipped his head completely
under the water, held it SO submerged
a moment, then stood erect with eyes
shut and reached for towel. In a mo-
ment he had wiped the suds from his
eyes. and looking at his friend he an
swered most unconcernedly
"What of it?''
"But-but-the conductor wants to
search me-"
"All right. What are you afraid OF ?
You are not the thief, are you:''
"No-but''-
''There is no but in it. If Won are in
nocent, let them go through you" Then
with q light laugh he turned to the glass
and began arranging his cravat. His
friend looked at him a moment with an
expression which no one but Mr.. Barnes
understood. The detective had recog-
nized by their voices that it was Bob
who had made the wager to commit a
crime, and it was plain that his friend
already suspected him. His fright was
occasioned by the thought that perhaps
Bob had stolen the jewels during the
night and then secreted them in his
clothing, where if found the suspicion
would not be on Bob.
Mr.. Barnes was amused as he saw the
young man actually searching himself.
In few minutes, with a sigh of in
tense relief, having evidently discovered
nothing foreign in his pockets, he turned
to the conductor who stood waiting and
expectant.
mir. Conductor" he began, 81 fear
that my conduct has seemed suspicious.
can't explain, hat nevertheless am
perfectly willing 70 have you mako a
search. Indeed ain anxious that it
should be q thorough one.' The exam
lnatlon was made, and, as with the
others, nothing was found.
Here is my card. am Arthur Ran
dolph, of the firm of j, q. Randolph 6
Son, bankers. - MIR. Randolph stood a
trifle more erect as he said this, and the
poor conductor felt that he had done
him grievous wrong. Mr. Randolph
continued: ''This is my friend, Robert
Leroy Mitchell will vouch for him. :"
At the name Mitchell Mr.. Barnes was
trifle startled. 1t was the same as
that which had been given by the wom-
al who had been robbed. At this point
Mr.. Mitchell, man Of 40, with a clas-
sic face, spoke:
Thanks, Arthur, can take care Of
myselfv'
The conductor hesitated a moment,
and then addressed Mr.. Mitchell:
Il regret very much the necessity
which compels me to asl, you to allow
yourself to be searched, but it is my
duty
MY dear cir, understand perfectly
that it is your duty and have no per-