Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-03-12

mate with one of the club servants. One
day I called this fellow, and partly by
threatening to have him discharged, but
mainly by using money, got out Of
him what the detective was asking
about me. This was chiefly whether /
lose or win when play cards l found
that the result of every game that I
played was being reported. Consequent
ly after that 1 made it a rule to lose. -
ITO lose my money!
ITO lose our money, since we are part
ners. You are simply advancing the
funds till get remittances from Paris
You have my I o US. If you are tired
of the arrangement, l will pay you at
once, though it would be inconvenient.
No. The money is Of no conse-
quence. But tell me why did you think
it best to lose?"
1T is very simple. From the fact
that the detectives are investigating this
point it is evident that they have heard
Of the winnings which I made when
Fisher played with me. They may have
concluded that am card sharper. l
wish to dispel that idea
Naturally. But now tell me about
Fisher What has this to 40 with him:"
"As you know, did not design to
attend the festival You went to Phila-
delphia, were taken i'll and sent me
letter asking me to take your place and
wear your dress, which I was to obtain
by presenting your note to the costumer.
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 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
the fellow your note. Afterward he re-
gretted havi ~ done so and came to
notify me, as he expressed it, so that l
might not get into any trouble. | saw
at once that this meant that Barnes
would be at the festival, or at any rate
one of his men"
"You were right in that. He was
there.
''Yes, but was not sure of it till
after the robbery, when all unmasked.
He wore one Of the Forty Thieves dom
mos, and / failed to see through the dis
guise. With the knowledge thus obtain
ed I 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 Baba 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, l assure you. -
Every good. That is satisfactory. You
must pardon my questioning but, after
all, l did not understand and had a
right to do so. Tell mewere you near
when the robbery occurr y? Did you see
it done?"
II 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. /
slipped out of my domino and went to
MIN as suuu tire lights wore On.'
"You might have suggested to him to
search everybody, as he did ON the
train. -
"By George, that il just what l did,
but he declined. 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.
''It seems" said Mr.. Mitchell, "that
Barnes suspected that the ruby was to
be stolen and informed Mr.. Rawlston
early in the evening that there would
be thieves in 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
the 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 MIR.
Mitchell. "'You wish to see me?"
"Oh, nothing special. / came in to
dine here and told the doorman to send
you to me in case you should turn up. L
wanted company, that is all. y
Don't like TO eat alone, eh?'
"That is it. Eating is a nuisance,
made tolerable only by good companion
ship. Mr.. Thauret, shall have place
set for you also?'
"If you desire, shall be most happy, I"
said Mr.. Thauret.
VERY we'll" said Mr.. Randolph. 81
will attend to it. have some letters to
write now, if you will excuse me- Meet
me promptly at z in the private dining
room.
Mr.. Randolph left the apartment and
went to the floor above. Here he Joined
Mr. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well, said the detective, "can you
manage itY"
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 il not to tho point. They Will
| dine with me in our private dining
room. l shall arrange that our meal
| shall be served at table Immediately
next to the large portiere that separates
the private dining room from the main
saloon. L shall also order dinner for
you at table just on the other side of
the curtain If you have good ears, you
should hear all that passes with little
| difficulty"
"I am satisfied with your arrange
ment and shall undoubtedly be able to
hear at least the greater part Of what
| occurs. "
Every we'll Now go to tho library,
and at the farther end, hidden behind IA
newspaper file, you will be safe from
the observation Of prying eyes. Prompt
ly at and my guests will take our
seats Five minutes later your own
place will be in readiness, and you can
take 1t in safety. -
Mr. Barnes followed these instruc-
tions, and Mr.. Randolph went 10 tho
dining room TO perfect his arrangements.
At z, ON the minute, he was joined by
his invited guests, and the three sat at
table Shortly after the noise of dishes
on the other side Of the portierc indi-
Gated that Mr.. Barnes was being served