Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-23

ly Mr.. Mitchell decided tnat 1t was time
for him to enter the game, for he crossed
and joined the group, saying as he did
so:
care you all discussing the train rob-
bery?'
"Oh, yesr' said Dora "And it is
Just lovely, the way Mr.. Barnes has
found out all about it!f'
Found out all about it? Has he in
deed?"
Eyes! He knows who the thief is,
and that he hid the jewels Off the train -
"How very clever of you, Mr.. Barnes,
to discover that. Where else could he
have hidden them, since the train itself
and everybody on it was searched?"
1t irritated Mr.. Barnes the way in
which Mr.. Mitchell always seemed to be-
little his skill. He was trifle angry
therefore as he made his next bold
stroke.
II will tell you, ladies and gentle
men, where the thief might have hidden
the Jewels, Oh the train-a place which
no one thought of searching, not even
myself"
ooh, tell us % exclaimed Dora. The
two men looked interested, nothing
more. Emily had come behind Mr..
Mitchell and slyly slipped her hand with
in his.
1.-The woman carried the jewels in a
satchel. Suppose the thief had stolen the
satchel and thrown it from the window
Missing that, the woman would have
naturally concluded that the jewels were
gone, would she not? Very WELL The
thief might have hidden the jewels in
her own pocket while she slept Mr..
Barnes had hoped much from this prop
osition, but it was distinct failure
Either that was not the thief's method
or else Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Thauret
were both innocent. Both smiled incred-
ulously. The former spoke:
"That is too farfetched, Mr.. Barnes.
How do you suppose that he would re-
gain possession of the gems:"
"By numbering the woman, answer.
ed the detective. Again he failed, for
neither of the men WINGED. Mr.. Barnes
was foiled for the moment, but not en-
tirely discouraged. The start which both
men had made when he suggested that
the stolen property had been hidden of
the train still remained to be explained.
Come. come, Mr.. Barnes" said Mr..
Mitchell, patting his shoulder familiar.
". Don't let this case upset you so.
When you go so far for theory, you dc
not show the skill which you displayed
in tracking Pettingill. Why, even 1 car
| get you better one than that
"You must not think me quite fool
Mr.. Mitchell. If my theory seems pre-
posterous, it does not follow that it i!
the only one at my command. We de
! tectives must look at these cases from
all lights. will wager that can tel
you what your theory ISL
"Good! I am glad New York hal
such n clever man to defend her. I &C
cept your wager. Here, will write IN,
idea on a bit of paper. If you guess it
I owe you an invitation to Il good din
ner." Mr.. Mitchell wrote few lines Oh
the back Of an envelope and handed i
to Dora.
"You think" said Mr.. Barnes, "tha
the thief might have simply handed til
satchel and jewelry to a confederate a
station decided upon in advance.
bravo, Mr.. Barnes!" said Dora
"You are a great detective. You hav
won your wager. That is what is writ
ten here. P"
II owe you dinner, Mr.. Barnes, an
it shall be good one" remarked MI
Mitchell.
! would MIR. Barnes like to win an
other:' asked the Frenchman, wit
slow distinctness.
'Iwould," said the detective sharply
"Then will wager with you that
you ever clear up the mystery you Wi
be obliged to admit that none of tn
theories advanced is the correct one. F"
II cannot accept that bet, '" said MI
Barnes slowly, because am sure tina
we have not mentioned the true metho
adopted"
"Ah, you have another theory" Nj
Thauret almost sneered.
81 have, and it is the correct one,
retorted Mr.. Barnes, "but 1 prefer nt
to disclose it."
81 think you are quite right, Nj
, Barnes" said Emily. "In fact, know
ing you by reputation as man of gre;
shrewdness, l have not thought that yo
were telling Us your true ideas. twou]
have been foolish to do so.''
perhaps, though sometimes VIII;
, seems foolish may be wise
Quite true. And now, gentlemen,
regret the necessity of dismissing yo1
but have ball on hand for tonigl
and must beg you to excuse us that W
may prepare for it. You know in Il
fashionable world we train for ball
athletes do for their sports. You wi
forgive my sending you away
This was her way, and men never r
sented it. They simply obeyed. NJ
Barnes was delighted that both the OF
er men would leave with him. He hi
. prepared trap for Mr.. Mitchell, b
: now he would entice two birds into it
ITO PE CnSTyNy-Cn