Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-01-16
CHAPTER II
A DARING AND SUCCESSFUL TRAIN RC8-
Berry

The train was just approach .i,g s sa.t-
ford, and from the window t..N .a-
tion which he occupied Mr.. 81. rs
watching the sun glowing ;... $3.50 ...-
hilltops, when he heard aV.s..t ".'
him the guard who had assisted him TO
jump aboard the night before. The man
was making mysterious gestures, from
which Mr.. Barnes understood that he
was wanted. He arose and followed the
porter to the smoking room.
Il think you called yourself Barnes, "
said the man, ''as you jumped aboard
last night.
"Yes; what of it?'
''Are you Mr.. Barnes, the detective?"
"Why do you ask?'
Because, if you are, the conductor
wants to see you. There was big rob-
berry committed ON the train during the
night. -
"The devilr'
Exactly, but will you come into the
next coach?''
"Wait a minute " Mr.. Barnes went
back into the main part of the coach
ing the curtains, he peeped in and
looked long and earnestly. He saw two
men undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
Satisfied, therefore, that he could leave
his watch for brief period, he followed
the porter into the next coach, where
he found the conductor waiting for him
in the smoking room.
"You are Mr.. Barnes tie detective?"
asked the conductor. Mr.. Barnes as
sented.
"Then 1 wish to place in your hands
officially most mysterious case. We
took ON lady last night at Boston, who
had a ticket to South Norwalk. As we
We're approaching that point a short
time ago she was notified by the porter.
She arose and dressed preparatory TO
leaving the train. A few minutes later
l was hurriedly summoned, when the
woman, between hysterical sobs. in
formed me that she had been robbed. "
"Of much?'
''She claims to miss satchel contain
ing 500, 900 in jewelry."
"You have stated that adroitly. She
claims to miss What evidence have you
that she has met with any loss at all!'
"Of course we cannot tell about the
jewelry, but she did have a satchel,
which is now missing The porter re-
members it, and we have searched thor
oughly, with no success.
"We have stopped at New Haven and
at Bridgeport How many persons have
left the train?"
"NO one has left the sleepers -
"When you say that no one has left
the sleepers, l suppose you mean you
saw no one leave?"
mol Imean Just what 1 said. 1have
sent the porters through the coaches,
and they report that all our passengers
are in their berths. But here we come to
point. If no one has left the train,
then the thief must be aboard?"
Certainly"
"The woman when she discovered her
loss concluded to remain aboard and go
on to New York All the other passen-
gers save one are booked for New York.
That one is a man, and he is now dress
ing, as his destination is Stamford. If
he leaves, he may take the jewels with
him, yet what am | to do?'
"State the facts of the case TO him. If
he is innocent, he will willingly submit
to being searched. If. however, he re-
fuses-well we can be guided by cir
cumstances Call him in here now.
A few minutes later a foreign and dis
tinctly French appearing man entered.
In speech he disclosed his origin, but
the accent was slight. He was of fine
appearance, digniied and gentlemanly.
Mr. Barnes sat at the window looking
out The conductor with considerable
hesitancy explained the case, concluding
with:
lyon see, my dear sir, this is an awk-
ward business, but we are so sure that
the thief is still aboard that
"That you hesitate to allow me to
leave the train, eh, monsieur, is 1t not
so? Yet why should there be any trou-
BILE? An honest man must never be hurt
in his feelings when he is asked to assist
the law, even though for the moment he
is himself a-what you call it-suspect?
In this case it is so simple if only the
honest men will make no trouble They
will say TO you, Search mol You do
so, and at last one comes who says,
You insult met That one is Of course
the thief, eh, monsieur? Do you not agree
with me?" He turned toward Mr..
Barnes, addressing this last remark to
him. The detective looked at him a mo-
ment steadily, as was his wont when he
meant to remember face The French
man returned the gaze undisturbed.
II said almost the same thing to the
conductor before you came in" said Mr..
Barnes.
Exactly So Now, then, with your
permission will disrobe. Look, if you
please, most carefully My honor is at
stake. The moro carefully you examine
the less suspicion can attach to me here
after.
The conductor made thorough
search, emptying every pocket and TAX
ing every precaution. He did not expect
to find anything, but it was essential
that extreme care should be observed.
Nothing was found, and the man re-
sumed his clothing.
"Now, if you please, l have with me
but two small satchels. IL the porter
will bring them, | will unlock them for
you. / have no trunk, as l only went TO
Boston for a days trip
The satchols were brought, examined
and nothing found
"Now, gentlemen, l suppose | am
free, rs we are at my station | shall
only remain here few hours and will
then 20 on to New York. If you should
wish to see mo again. l shall stop ut the
Hoffman House. Here is my card. Au
revuirI"
Mr. Barnes took the card and scruti-
nized it.
"What do you thinkf" asked the CON
duCtOr.
Think? Oh, you mean of that fell
low You need not worry about him.
There is not shadow Of suspicion
against him-at present. Besides, should
wo ever want him !. could find him