Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-08-13
A HAIRPIN.

Mr.. Robert Perkins entered his pri-
vate Office with disagreeable frown.
He tossed his hat at the nearest hook
and dropped himself into his swivel
chair. Then he lifted his knee in the
air, olasped his hands about 1t and
gnawed at his mustaohe. Ordinarily
Mr.. Robert Perkins was good looking
example Of manhood. He wasn't at all
attractive at the present moment. how
ever. That's what the fair haired girl
at the typewriter in the outer office
thought She could see him when she
raised her eyes above her copy, and she
wondered what disturbed him so.
The fact is. he was very much dis
gruntled man. He had cause to be.
Somebody was spying upon his move
ments. Somebody was even prying into
his private affairs and stealing informa-
ton that was of great value to him.
Mr.. Robert Perkins was a real estate
operator. a man of big deals. whose
name, IN spite Of his two and thirty
years, was already a power in the street.
Up to within few weeks he had been
BlHAuAuAly buOCObbAuip Duu INV nohuo-
body seemed to be blocking all his i'm
portant moves. Only the day before he
had prepared in sketohy way the plat
Of an extensive tract he had meant to
secure. and now he had Just discovered
that the price had been jumped on him
to an extent that meant an outlay of
$1,000 more than he had counted on.
He knew that his breast was the only
guardian of this proposed deal-his
breast and his desk, for in the latter
was looked the precious plat.
Mr.. Perkins pulled out his desk key
and thrust 1t into the keyhole. At least
no attempted to do 30, but something
interfered, something which stubborn
ly resisted the most violent effort. He
drew out the key and brought forth his
knife A few minutes Of energetic pry.
ing and twisting dislodged the obstacle.
It was a hairpin.
A twisted hairpin of bronEed wire.
Mr.. Perkins instinotively turned In his
chair and looked toward the fair haired
girl at the typewriter. She was bend
ing over her work and did not see him.
Mr.. Perkins knew that the fair haired
girl used hairpins of bronzed wire.
Somebody had tried to pick his desk
look with hairpin. the same some
body who had been making mischief
for him right along. Could 1t be that
innocent looking young woman She
handled his letters; she was to some
extent familiar with his private bust
ness,
Mr.. Perkins opened his desk with a
bang. Then he struck sharply on a Gall
bell that stood ut his elbow. A boy ap-
peared In the doorway.
"George," said Mr.. Perkins. shut
the door.
When the lads back was turned. he
looked ut the hairpin again and sighed.
Then he thrust it carefully into his vest
pocket. When the boy approached him,
no was gazing intently at the plat
where 1t lay. apparently undiaturbed.
in the desk.
George" said Mr.. Perkins, "do you
remember that 1 loft early yesterday
afternoonr'
Eyes, sir, said George. "You went
away at D O'Clock with Mr.. TompkinE
in carriage"
Ibid you leave tho outer office before
closing up timer"
Eyes, sir. went to the postofiice
for stamps, and 1 came back by the
way Of Lawyer Briggs Office and left
that abstract. - GA
"How long were you gomez"
Bout half an hour, SIR"
WAS Miss Phillips in the office
when you left?"
"Who--Miss Alice?'
"Yes, Miss Alice.
It was u pretty name. 1t was the first
time Mr.. Perkins had spoken 1t. and be
thought 1t very pretty name. and
then his fingers closed on the hairpin
and his heart hardened.
She was here when left and here
when come back, sir"
Anybody else herei'
"Mr. Burnham was In Just before
left. He was talking to Miss Alice,
sir"
Talking to Alice"
There was something In his snappy
tone that carried the intimation that
Mr.. Perkins didn't like this informa
| tion.
Eyes, sir, talking confidential like.
When l looked around, he stooped dowI
and said something real low, and Mis-
Alice kind Of blushed.
"That will do. George"
As the boy opened the door Mr.. Per
kins called him back.
"Step ACROSS the hall to Mr.. Burn
hams Office and tell him l want to sec
him.
Two minutes later Mr.. Tom Burn
ham pulled in. He was short, stou
man, with double chin and laughing
face.
WANT to see me, Bob" he cried a
he took chair.
Yes" replied Mr.. Perkins. HI
paused moment. "Tm worried and
puzzled, &" he added. Somebody 10 rob
ting me of my ideas"
"Get outP' said Mr.. Burnham.
"Its true, said Mr.. Perkins. 81
half dozen times within the last tire
weeks have found myself face to fac
with evidence that my private paper
have been tamperef with. "
Seems incredible, said Mr.. Burn
ham.
Yes, but it's true"
Suspect anybody"
yes"
Perkins rang the bell.
George, he said, tell Miss PhilliI
that want her. I"
"Hold on" said Burnhsm. II don