Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-13
TALE OF THE
PRIVATE DETECTIVE.

came over me when oucAlONhs D'.oS
stealer and myself were at breakfast
Monday morning. 1 had just finished
lecmring that parrot Of mine on drink
ing so much coffee, because he's high
Strung. YOU know, and ought TO take
care of his nerves, but he never Will
listen to advice, and his only remark
was:
.s'Say. / didn't catch that last obser-
walton. The acoustics in your hat are
all wrongl' And then he put his head
into the cup and took an extra long
drink lust to aggravate me.
The girl brought my Morning Post
in az that moment, and the PRESENT.
rnent came with it. Sherlock, said /,
T'u lay you 2 to 1 there will be some
thing sensational in the news. So
started to read it out to him; 1t would
break his heart if he didn't hear the
head lines.
big Flood-not in our business.
'Suicide'-wonder if there's any chance
of its having been a murder? No.
all straight and commonplace. Prom
fnent business man shot in his own
house by a burglar Now, that's some
thing likel What's this? Courage
ously grappled with the burglar, PIN
toned his arms and secured him until
help came" Just look at that! A
nice little case spoiled. What's the use
Of maintaining detectives if you're going
10 forestaI them in that way? Catch
the criminal before he gets away It's
discouraging industry, taking the bread
out of the mouths Of the labOring man.
"Hellol Mrs. Darlington thrown
from her dOgcart, is lying unconscious
and may not recover. The frightened
horse dashed madly up the avenue and
was stopped on the corner OF NJ street
BY a gentleman. AS the rescuer caught
the bride the frightened animal reared
and the lady was thrown into the street.
Was carried in a stunned condition
into a nearby house. DR. Max Moore,
who was fortunately passing, was
called in and at once recognized the
lady. The gentleman who so bravely
attempted her rescue is a stranger IN
the CITY: he gave his name as Henry
Allen, Riggs House.
You see, / was interested in Mrs.
Darlington because knew a gooS BIT
about her She was q very charming
body had ever been acquainted. She
belonged to the upper Bohemian set
and lived in q pretty little house, where
she entertained delightfully."- when she
was in the city. which was not often,
for she was addicted to mysterious alb
sences, about which nobody IN the
easy-going society that freQuented her
house had the bad taste to inquire.
But the affair was not in my line. II
the young man had only stolen her
purse-but he did not seem to have
done anything TO recommend himseI
to my notice. I was all around disap-
pointed-nOthing in the paper; notbi"-'
in the mail; but the presenumenC was
as strong as ever. Well, it came true,
too, but not till Thursday. My Office
hours were almost over when a young
gentleman was shown in. His speech
St once proclaimed him a Virginian.
He was tremendously polite, accord
ing to the old school, His blue eyes
had a most frank and engaging eX-
preston, which l knew was not as
sumed, because Babystealer voluntar-
ily offered him his paw and wagged his
tail cordially. as much alto say, Lord!
but I'm glad to see you, old chap.
Sit down and stay with us. Whatll
you take?
He handed me his card Richard
Dettinger, Blank Place, Blank county.
Va.
"T viii come to the point at once,
he said: L have heard of you as a
Trustworthy man, as we'll as an able
detective. The matter is a delicate
one. The place next to mine in
Virginia is owned by a young lady,
orphaned. Her aunt and little Grip
ME brother reside with her This
lady. Miss Leslie, is an angel Of good
ness: the people about the place fair
IN worship her, and as for myself, sir,
/ have the honor 10 be her afianced
husband. For the last four years she
has been in thee habit Of visiting this
city frequently. in order to be near
her friends. and doubtless, being a
lovely girl, she finds the country dull.
She seldom remains away over
week. and invariably keeps her aunt
informed as TO the time f her re-
turn. Last week she left intending
TO come back to us last Sunday
evening. l was waiting for her at
the station, but she aid not arrive
upon the expected train, and. though
this is Thursday, we have neither seen
her nor heard from her
"'YOu have made gthe rounds OF
her friends houses, L suggested.
why, the truth is he answered,
flushing a little, but looking me
frankly in the eyes, the truth is l
don't know the names Of her city
friends
His innocent truthfulness took my
breath away. But surely, her aunt l
insinuated.
.s.Is in the same position as my
self. She would have told AIS at once
il we had asked her, but I am sure
neither Of us ever thought OF dOing
sO-why should WEI
"His blue eyes defed me, and I
gave it up. Has she money!
They are well or was the an
swer. L have brought you her photo
graph and a letter written by her,
in case you wish 10 use the handwrit-
ing.
That was good thought, said
/. Has she any man OF business in
this city?'
Yes her lawyer. but I've been to
him and he did not even know she
had been here. Do you think it
will be hard to trace her? Remember
my-Our anxiety is agoniZing. If
harm should have befallen her
TRY to cheer up I said. If she
has really spent her time in this
city