Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-31

|
'As you know, did not design to
attend the festival You went to Phila-
aelphia, were taken i'll and sent me
letter asking me to take your place and
wear your dress, which was to obtain
| by presenting your note to the costumer.
I did this, fully intending to carry out
your wishes"
"Then how was it that Fisher wore
my costume?''
II was coming to that. Just before
| leaving for the affair who should call
here but the costumer, who informed
me that a man had been to his place and
had catechised him about me, explain
| ing that he was a detective hunting
down a celebrated criminal. He showed
tie fellow your note. Afterward he re-
GREETED having done SO and came to
notify me, as he expressed it, $50 that I
| might not get into any trouble. I saw
at once that this meant that Barnes
would be at the festival, or at any rate
one of his men,
lyon were right in that. He was
there
Eyes, but was not sure of it till
after the robbery, when all unmasked.
He wore ono of the Forty Thieves DOM
:nas, and failed to see through the dis
guise. With the knowledge thus obtain
ed determined to have some amuse-
ment at the expense Of the great detect
i've, and decided to wear one of the
dominos instead of your dress. 1t was
essential, however, that some one should
| impersonate Ali Bahia in order that the
tableaus might not be interrupted.
Fisher was the only man could ask to
assume the role. He acquiesced, and
that is all there was to that. have not
taken him up again, assure you
| VERY good. That is satisfactory. You
must pardon my questioning; but, after
all, did not understand and had a
right to do so. Tell me, were you near
when the robbery occurred? Did you see
it done?''
| Il must have been near, but did not
see it. was awaiting to kiss the hand
of the Scheherezade when Mr.. Barnes sud-
denly cried out that robbery had been
committed and ordered masks off. I
slipped out of my domino and went to
him as soon as the lights were on.''
"You might have suggested to him to
search everybody, as he did on the
train
| "By George, that is just what I did,
but he declined. I guess that train ex-
perience made him dubious as to the
value of that sort of thing"
At this both men laughed heartily, as
though enjoying the discontinue of the
detective.
at SEEMS said Mr. Mitchell, "that
Barnes suspected that the ruby was to
be stolen and Informed Mr.. Rawlston
early i'll the evening that there would
be thieves i'll the audience
did he indeed? Too bad that, with
all his shrewdness, he was not able to
catch the thief or thieves rather, eh?"
Once more they both laughed. Then
Mr.. Mitchell suggested that they should
go to the club, and thither they went.
Upon entering the doorkepeer informed
Mr.. Mitchell that Mr.. Randolph was in
tho parlor and desired to see him. He
and Mr.. Thauret therefore went into the
great reception room. Mr. Randolph
arose as they appeared.
| GOOD evening, Randolph" said Mr.
Mitchell. lyon wish to see me?''
"Oh, nothing special. / came in to
dine hero and told the doorman to send
you to me in case you should turn up. ]
wanted company, that is ALL
| Don't like to eat alone, eh?''
| 'That is it. Eating is nuisance,
made tolerable only by good companion.
ship. Mr.. Thauret, shall I have a place
set for you also?"
eff you desire, shall be most happy ~
said Mr.. Thauret.
Very WELL" said Mr.. Randolph. 81
will attend to it. have some letters tc
write now, if you will excuse me- Meet
me promptly at in the private dining
ROOM"
MIR. Randolph left tho apartment and
went to the floor above Here he Joined
Mr.. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
WELL" said the detective, "can you
manage it?''
Everything is arranged. Mitchell is
here, and he has brought Thauret with
him. don't understand the intimacy
that has sprung up between those two
but that is not to the point. They will
dine with me in our private dining
room. shall arrange that our mea
shall be served at a table immediately
next to the large portiere that separate,
the private dining room from the mali
saloon. shall also order a dinner fol
yen at Il table just on the other side q
the curtain. If you have good ears, yor
should hear all that passes with littl,
difficulty
Il am satisfied with your arrange
ment and shall undoubtedly be able t.
hear ut least the greater part Of wha
occurs.
Every well. Now go to the library
and at tho farther end, hidden behind
newspaper file, you will be safe from
the observation Of prying eyes. Prompt
" at I and my guests will take GU
seats. Five minutes later your owl
place will be in readiness, and you cal
take it in safety"
Mr.. Barnes followed these instrrc
tions, and Mr.. Randolph went to tn
dining room to perfect his arrangements
At z, ON the minute, he was joined b,
his invited guests, and the three sat a