The Press., 1898-01-13
THE BOY DEFECTIVE.
"The case is hopeless :"

So spoke the great criminal lawyer. and as he dld so he sighed deePIyJ
 Tell me the facts again. said his companion. bright appearing youth of 9, as he took 8 notebook from his pocket
 II will. said the other deJectedly. but l fear 1t can avail nothing We can prove that Mrs Goodlot has been missing since Aug , We know that she had quarreled with her husband and that he had threatened her life We can show that on the night of Aug { the defendant generated ozonotlc gas in his chemical laboratory and we have every reason to believe that he put his wife into the gas tank. but to prove it-ah. that IS the difficultyI'
 What Is the effect of ozonotic gas on human tissue?" asked the youth. with 8 thoughtful expression on his face
 Ut converts all animal matter into gaseous vapor Within ten minutes aft CT the body had been put into the tank there was not a trace of solid substance left ''
 II will examine that tank. ''
 Your
 Yes"
 Ut is guarded constantly They will kill you
 We shall see.
 He arose and, after shaking hands with the great criminal lawyer. passed rapidly to a carriage in waiting The reader may have suspected ere this that he was none other than Eddie Parks the newsboy detective "Haltp'
 As this word was spoken a revolver gleamed in the moonlight. The watchman standing at the great doorway of the Goodlot chemical labora- tory strained his eyes to see what the object might be that was approaching. | All right Don't be afraid, |" came a gruff voice from the gloom. and po- liceman stepped into view ''1 am glad it was you," said the watchman i'll a relieved tone of voice. We have instructions to shoot and Kill any strangers found near the labora- tory"
 The next instant the watchman felt his throat clasped as if in wise. He heard @ voice at his ear, Maintain quiet, or 1 will throttle you. | In a few seconds he was bound and gagged. The policeman took the keys from the prostrate form. | "Now. my good man, stay here until 1 return" he said gleefully With that he threw of his disguise. It was the newsboy detective. Before starting On his perilous night trip to the chemical laboratory our hero had studied plan of the interior of the | vast structure, so that, even ill the pitch darkness, it required but few moment. for him to find the tank ill which the ozonotic gas had been generated
 Taking a can opener from his pocket he cut circular opening in the tank and crawled in After a few minutes he emerged with 8 satisfied smile on his face.
 AS he approached the doorway al which he had entered he saw four mer standing III the moonlight The othel men on guard had discovered the bound and gagged watchman.
 They were waiting for our hero tt return
 "l will not be captured. " he said drawing his trusty revolver
 At that moment his foot struck bot tie, which fell and broke with a crash
 The four men came through the door way Our hero turned and ran.
 He knew that all the doorways wer, locked His only hope was the stair way
 The pursuers were close behind. H. fled up one flight of stairs after another Below he could hear the curses an, ejaculations of the enraged watchman.
 Suddenly he emerged into an opel tower He had reached the topmos point of the great building Over l0 feet below him was the placid river.
 The pursuers came panting at hi heels
 There was no time to be lost
 With defiant shout he leaped far ou from the tower and dived for the river
 At 10 o'clock the next morning Jame H Webster. the great criminal lawyer was seated in his office. l There was knock at the door, an Ralph Dumont. counsel for the defend ant entered the room
 ''l came to tell you that the foolhard youth who dared to visit the Iaborator last night IS no more, said he. smil of triumph lighting up hls malignan features
 "Deadr exclaimed the great lawye, blanching perceptibly
 "Tes-uiEad He was pursued to tn tower and Ieaped into the rlver He di not come to the surface So you sec MT Webster. that your trump card Ina failed You can never convict Anthon Goodlot.
 Don be too sure of thati' came | quiet voice from behind "Perdltlonr exclaimed Ralph DJ mont
 Eddie Parks. the boy detective, wa standing in the doorway! As sar)n as James H Webtser saw ou , hero alive and we'll he rushed eowar, , him with open arms , Ralph Dumont hurried from the room muttering curses He seemed surprised to see me. said our hero, laughing merrlly You are indeed brave youth. " sail the great lawyer, gazing at our hero il admiration But, tell me, have you SC cured any .evidence?'' "l have" replied our hero modestly