Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-01

he was thinking of it q card was brought
to him which bore the name, Richard
Soften"
He directed that the gentleman should
be shown to his room, and soon after q
man of about 35, with dark complexion,
black hair and keen hazel eyes, entered,
bowling politely and saying:
"This is Mr.. Barnes, believe.
''Be seated, Mr.. Sefton," said Mr..
Barnes coldly, land then tell me why
you believe me to be Mr.. Barnes, when
I registered as James Morton"
Il do not believe you to be Mr..
Barnes,'' said the other, coolly seating
himself. "Iwas inaccurate in using that
expression. I know that you are Mr..
Barnes
ooh! You do! And how, pray, do
you know that I am Mr.. Barnes?''
Because it is my business to know
people l am detective like yourself.
have come to help you
"You have como to help me! You are
very kind, am sure. But since you are
SO very clever, perhaps You would not
mind telling me how you know that
need help and in what direction.
with pleasure. You need help be-
cause, Y.r0on my saying it, you arc
working en- case in which time is
precious to you, and you have already
wasted about six weeks. l say wasted,
because you have learned nothing that
will aid you in your search.
Sin my search for what?"
'Mr. Barnes, you are not overcordial.
There should Ice some fraternal courtesy
between Us. l have come to you as a
friend, honestly wishing to aid you. I
have known that you We're in the city
for soma time. have heard Of you, of
course Who in our business has not ?
Therein. have spent great deal of
| spare time watching you. I did SO sim
ply to notice and perhaps to learn some
thing from your methods. In this way
became acquainted with the fact, first,
that You are interested in the name
| Mitchell, and, secondly, in the name Lee
roy. have simply put the two 80 ether
and jumped to the conclusion That you
are trying to learn something ahczt Le-
roy Mitchell. Am right"
Before reply to you, Mr.. sANtA.
must have more assurance of your good
will and responsibility. How do know
that you are detective at all?"
"Quite right Here is my badge. ]
am in the department here"
Every well so far, but now how can
you prove that you have any good reason
for assisting me!'
"You are hard man to help, I de.
clare. Why, what object but friendly
one can ] have?''
81 am not prepared to answer that al
present. Perhaps shall be able to do sc
later
"Oh, very we'll! You can look me ur
all you want to. can stand it, assure
you. But, really, did want to help
though Of course I have no right to in
trude. AS you say you do not need me,
why r.
81 did not say that I would not &C
cept your aid. You must not think me
ungracious. am simply detective
and careful from habit. I certainly
should not speak confidentially to mar
that meet for the first time, and Sc
disclose any of my own purposes. Blu
it is different with you. You must have
had definite idea by which you ex
pect TO give me assistance or you would
not have come here. If you are earnest
and honest, l see no reason why vol
should not disclose the main purpose OF
your visit at once
eff only to prove my honestly vii
do so believe you are looking for LIE
roy Mitchell. If so, can tell you how
to find him in few hours, or, at tn,
worst, in day or two''
"You know of Leroy Mitchell VIII,
is now in this city,"
81 do. He is over in Alciers. a work
er IN one OF the carhouscs. He is com
mon, drunken brute, and that is the onl,
reason why there would be any diff
Guilty about finding him. When he j
sober, he is easy to see, but as soon a
he gets some money he is off on anothe
SPREE
do you know of a woman of tn
; name Of Rose Mitchell"
"Certainly-thati is, I did know suc]
n woman once. But she has not been j,
New Orleans for years. At one tim
any one could have given you her ad
dress. see now that this man is tn
! one whom You want, for once he passe
, as this woman's husband"
lyon arc sure of this:''
positive
, "When and where can I see thi
manu-
? "He works in the shops Of the Louisi
} ana and Texas railroad, over in Algiers
: Yen can find him through the foreman.
Mr.. Seton, it may be that you hav
} given me information which will be {
service to me. If SO. you will not regre
it. will myself examine into the ma;
: ter. For the present, if do not make
5 confdant of you, you must attribute
: to caution rather than to distrust."
"Oh, am not easily offended.
would act in the same manner in yor
' place. But you will find that I am you
= friend. You can count ON me to aid yo
: on demand. won't trouble you agai
3 till you send for me. A note to heat
3 quarters will reach me quickest. Goo
Q morning"
GOOD morning. Mr.. Seton. an