The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-08-27

Both tip and bill were gone.
If Mr.. Dockfelt had ever been utterly
bewildered in his life it was at TINS
moment. He was positive he had put
the money in the carrier, and equally
sure it was not there now. He shook
the cup, and hunted carefully about the
desk, but in vain. Then he muttereo'
half audibly: There is but one thing
10 do in such case as this. will see |
INV friend. John Garner, the detective,
and let him straighten out the mystery
if he can"
During the course of the afternoon,
in response to Mr. Dockfelt's message,
a thin, acknowledging man entered
the merchants private office. Mr.. Dock
felt held out his hand, cordially. "Weli'
Garner" he cried, 81 can truthfully say
that was never more glad to see you
in nv life" He then gave Garner
complete history of the affair which
perplexed him, and concluded: Il have
prepared a statement of points, which
YOU can study at your leisure. he
then handed Garner the following:
1. Theft always occurred on the nrs'
sale in which bill was rendered In
payment.
.. Theft always bills, never silver.
2 Theft was generally between Bal.
four and Thomas.
4. On the last morning several cups
were stolen from.
| 8. Dockfelt himself put money in car
rier. which reached its destination
empty.
Mr.. Garner put the paper in his pock-
ct and asked, abruptly: "Who opens
the store in the morning?"
Somewhat surprised at the question,
Mr. Dockfelt replied: Charles Hurst,
the shipping clerk"
"That is all for the present., SAID
, Garner. Then he rose and left the OF.
: flee.
During the next few days there were
repeated consultations between Garner
: and Dockfelt, each time the detective
: being in disguise. The third day the
5 dispuise was so complete that Mr.. Dock
felt greeted the appearance OF an ap-
4 parently ill-bred and boorish feiiow
with sharp: "Well, sir!"
THE detective bent forward. Gar
ner," said he.
"Weu. well!" cried the merchant.
your disguise is complete. How is II
Have YOU solved the problem
q "Haye / solved the problem? Well,
{, nv dear sir, it's one of the most pc.
: culiar cases-yes, think / may say
have"
q Mr.. Dockfelt at once became all ex'
u citement. His cheeks glowed with eN
t. element and his eyes shone brightly
e "Well-Mr. Garner-let me hear abou
e i'll. he exclaimed, drawing his chail
nearer to the detectives.
n Garner took a small vial from MI
L nocket and said: "Look at this.
r. Mr.. Dockfelt took the bottle and saw
le Il contained scarlet liquid. Il don
T. exactly see the significance OF tnis'
he said.
Id "Wait." said Garner; shear m
y through. Charles Hurst, the shipping
~ clerk. is the cause of all this trouble
He and Thomas are in love with tn
- same girl. Thomas has been accepte
- -Hurst burns for revenge. / suppose
- =, was the only person who knew Tn
=. secret of the powerful composition yo
~ see in that bottle. But it seems tina
~ Hurst has discovered it also. waite
a. the effect of the stuff.
Garner took a small piece OF pap'
from his pocket, laid it on the table an
:. uncorked the vial. He poured sma
~ quantity of the liquid on the pap'
80 and in ten seconds all that was lie
on of the latter was an almost impalpab
.lv gray ash.
~ "The effect" said Garner, "of Il
r;- composition upon the wood bottom
nr of the carriers is to render the woo
soft, so that it Immediately Absorb
ar. the ashes of the paper. Hurst, eve
morning, put some of this liquid in Be-
mo tours carrier-a very small amount
deed. The money was, of course, d
&c stroyed. 1 think / can explain Z
- counts in your statement" he addt
fl taking from his pocket the slip OF P
per which Dockfelt had handed him
i've few DAYS before. "Theft always {
The CURED on first bill sale of the mornil
mr.. because the liquid used was only stro
enough for one bill. The. IL
, -, was always in bills, because a
to meta. is proof against this stran
composition. The theft was always
,;d tween Balfour and Thomas, becar
IL Hurst wanted to make mystery abe
nav it in the beginning and then sudder
convict Thomas by having several Gu
stolen from. This also explains cor
a. number four. 1t is needless to expl;
low why the money did not arrive viii
=. Mr.. Dockfelt himself put in the c
rier. Hurst had not provided for t