The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-10-06

quainting him with tl.a nature Of his
business, easily arranged plan where
by he hoped to discover Waiter Marvel.
AS the man whom he "as seeking was
an entire stranger to him, it would be
impossible to recognize lin. Therefore
he determined to station himself at the
inquiry window and arranged signal
whereby the clerk was to warn him
when any one should ask for letter
for Walter Marvel As, however. he
was informed that the mail just in
would not be ready fer delivery until
she following morning BE went to ho-
tel and retired for the night.
The postofice opened at o'clock,
and promptly at that hour Nj. Barnes
commenced his vigil. lie did not have
his patience very sorely tried, for it was
scarcely 8 o'clock when he received the
signal from the postal clerk and saw
the letter handed to a man at the win
dow.
Not knowing whether this was Mar
vel himself or merely some messenger,
Mr.. Barnes determined for the present
simply to follow him, more especially
as he did not break the seal of the let
ter, but after glancing at the address
consigned it to his pocket. Leaving the
building, the man proceeded to a small
hotel, at a considerable distance from
the postofhce and in the vicinity of the
docks Mr.. Barnes concluded that it
was little more than sailors boarding
house, and it puzzled him to guess why
Marvel had chosen this place. Entering
the door, which led in On level with
the street, the man seated himself on q
chair and then, producing the letter,
broke the seal and read.
The act satisfied Mr.. Barnes that
Walter Marvel was before him, but it
suited him still to spy awhile upon his
movements, hoping thereby to learn
something. Of course Marvel could not
guess that the man standing in the
doorway was detective or that he was
watched. Therefore be would act as his
real intentions prompted him. He seem
ed wholly absorbed i'll the paper before
him, which be read AID reread a num-
ber Of times, ending by crumpling it up
in his hand and starting up from his
chair. He stood gazing from the win
dow awhile and then paced neryously
up and down. This lasted some min
utes, when he suddenly resumed his
seat, took the crumpled letter from his
pocket where he had thrust it and care
fully smoothed out the creases on his
knee. He again read its contents over
and over Suddenly; with a smothered
ejaculation, he tore the letter into
pieces and scattered them On the floor.
Then he spoke few words to the hotel
clerk and hurried up stairs.
Mr.. Barnes at once proceeded to col
lect the scattered fragments of the let
ter and, carefully placing them in an
envelope, consigned that to his wallet
until such time as he might be able to
match the pieces together again. This
done, he quietly seated himself and
waited.
In about ten minutes Walter Marvel
reappeared, coming down the stairs,
and hurried out to the street, Mr..
Barnes following him.
He directed his course toward the
wharfs and finally walked to the end
of one, where he went aboard schooner
lying there. By inquiring among the
longshoremen the detective soon learned
that this vessel, the Eclipse, was bound
for the West Indies and was to sail i'm
mediately. Mr.. Barnes saw at once that
it was now time to take active meas
ures or be would lose his man after all.
Boarding the vessel, he sought out the
captain and explained to him what be
wished to CO. The master seemed of
surly disposition and little inclined to
render any assistance. Ee did not, IL
decd, refuse TO let Mr.. Barnes see Mar
vel, but he positively declined to take
any part in the matter himself.
TO BE CONTINUED.