The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-12-02
TIE LOST IDENTITY
A DEL EcTIvE's Story.

was born in Manchester, England
and in my boyhood worked in one OF
the numerous cotton mills of that in
dnstrlous city. Bot fro:a my youth,
after | was able to read, / became
lmbned with a violent fancy to be-
come detective. l read all works
that treated on the subject, and read
them with absorbing interest besides.
| was perfect monomaniac on the
subject, and pictured to myself the
delights of such career.
AT the age of eighteen | had the
good fortune to be introduced to a
member of the pro fession, and in
purse of time took courage to men
ton to him my aspirations. "You
are just the bald for detective. -
said he, IF vou possess all the other
qualities necessary for such career
He then said he would use bis infiu-
ence with the chief. this was IN Liv-
erpooD, and If l proved acceptable,
doubtless | could become one of the
staff.
Well, to come to the point, l be
came one of the pro fession before
was twenty one, and, as [ have said,
my first case was most successful
one, and was the making of me, since
1t brought ne prominently before the
public, and the journals were pleased
TO refer to me as ''the rising young
detective"
1t happened in this wise: Con
versing with the chief one day in his
Office. during which be furnished me
with many useful hints, he observed: /:
"Mr. Oldfeld, since you are so eager
to embrace this arduous profession,
L wish case of more than ordinary
interest would present itself, so that
you might have a chance to display
your abilities
| Ireplied that my desire was to un-
dertake some ordinary case at first,
but he cut me short, and said.
You do not comprehend, Mr.. Old
field The profession is not like a me-
chanlcal trade where apprentices are
taught by progressive rule. Ap-
prentices at our profession are matur-
ed men-not boys-and one who as
plres to become a detective must na
tnally have the stuff in him to do
credit to it as well as to himself, and
the best plan is to give aim difficult
case to start with. If he succeeds
1T Will the more rebound to his credit
If he does very we'll, yet fails TO make
1T perfect success, he will still have
the consolation left that he is new to
the business, and the people could not
expect novice to be equal TO full
tiedged professional; and if he makes
no points at all, but makes miserable
bnngle of the whole thing. the sooner
he leaves it, and casts all his aspira
tions to the winds, the better
BY the way he spoke l believed
that he was fayorably impressed with
me, and my ambition took higher
flight, His words aroused in my
soul a desire to do and dare, and
was eager to embark iu the life | had
chosen.
My silent prayers were answered
that very day. Even as the chiel
ceased speaking, an attendant usher
ed III portly gentleman, and an
nounced him as the Honorable Hector
Marshfield.
The name made me glance at tn,
gentleman. and just As | recognized
| him he smiled in recognition. ant
crossing the apartment he shook m,
warmly by the hand.
He and my father were dear friend
and MIR. Marshield's only son and
were the same age. 1t was now tw,
years since | had been TO Manchester
my native place, although / hat
kept up a correspondence with Osca
Marshfield; but Of late | was so ab
sorbed In my desire to become mem
ber of the detective force that | ha,
somewhat neglected my correspon
dence
"Well. James" was his firstS greet
ing. "are you still bent on becoming
detective, since l find you here a
/ hei dquarters?" ?"
Il have the hopor to be one of tn
staff, was my modest reply.
"Indeedp' cried he, seemingly sur
prised at this announcement. Their
after profound pause, during whicl
he appeared to be in a deep study
he said: Then perhaps the bes
thing to be done will be-
Here he paused abruptly, and turn
ed TO Mr.. Larkins, the chief, askin,
the favor of few minutes privat
conversation.
They passed through side dool
and closed it, and l could hear ther
converse in earnest tones, yet wa
unable to catch a single distinct wor
of what they were saying.
Fifteen or twenty minutes elapse
before they emerged from the room
and when they were seated / learne
| the nature of that private into, viou