The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-12-07

MIR. WhltWorth, he remarked, de-
liberately, carefully placing the papers
in his pocket, Il congratulate you on
your perspicuity. From the first | sur
missed the culprt must be looked for in
side the building. My examination of
the case strengthened this belief. The
screws along the side, proximate to the
missing relic, have been tanpered with,
allowing the case TO be tilted upwards
from its supporting pedestal and the
| insertion of the depredator's hand.
The marks of the screwdriver were
fresh upon them, and, though scarcely
apparent to the naked eye, easily dis
cernible through my glass. The theft
I am prepared to swear could hardly
be accomplished under two minutes by
the most deXterous swellmobsman at
large.
Two minutes is a long time, con-
sidering the publicity of the apartment.
| Wherefore my deduction! The robbery
was committed between four and six
yesterday afternoon.
81 need scarcely impress upon you
the impsrativeness of absolute silence.
Good! You will meet me at six in the
station-master's office. For this night
only, you and l will pose as railway
porters."
Punctually at the time appointed l
presented myself at the rendezvous, at
tired in great-coat with upturned col
lar which completely shrouded my fea-
lures. Molineux, the officer, smiled APP
provingly at my precaution, and in
few whispered words indicated his
plans for the capture of the cunning
rogues.
In short time we had succeeded in
transforming ourselves into passable
members of the porter fraternity, and,
as l regarded myself amusedly in the
glass, was prepared TO defy anyone TO
recognize in this rough-looking railway
servant, bearded like the pard,' the
clean-shaven custodian of the municipa
art treasures.
AS the London mailw signaled into
the station we made our way on to the
platform, and, mixing with the waiting
crowd, busted ourselves otliciously with
the passengers luggage.
Now. Whitworth, keep your eyes
peeled" enjomed Molineux,.in hoarse
whisper, as the train glided along the
platform and the passengers surged
forward to secure their seats; you're
dealing with deep lot. Take my word
for it,
Even as he spoke discerned mutiied
figure crouching in the shadow of the
subway, al Siously regarding the stand
still train. And then. as | followed the
direction of his gaze, / saw woman,
whose face was concealed by thick
veil, appear at the door OF first-class
compartment for a second, and care
lessly let fall folded paper.
It was copy of the identical journal
had loaned to Sherman! lrecognzed
it instantly by the color OF its cover.
Molineux observed the covert act,
too. Warning me with glance to fol-
low him, he seized bag at his side, and
shambled up to the compartment,
reaching it simultaneously with the
| mysterious man, who had left the shad-
ow and approached the door.
Even as he placed his foot on the step
and thrust small parcel into the hands
of the expectant woman, the detective
was upon him. There was a sudden
scuffie, sharp "click! click.' and Abe
Sherman found himself lying face
downwards on the floor of the compart-
ment hors de combat.
~ Dth harf'
and like a flash l threw myself upon her
ere she had the ghost of chance to use
the deadly weapon which she was in the
act of drawing forth from her pocket.
She fought like possessed fury, but,
taken by surprise at the attack, the ad-
vantage was all with me. The struggle
was of short duration. Putting out my
strength, / secured her arms in vice
like grip and slowly forced her two
| hands together, when the officer coolly
affixed the bracelets, and she fell back
on the cushions with despairing
shrek of laughter.
Her veil had been torn away in the
struggle. disclosing the features of no
attractive woman, but the clean-sbaven,
resolute face of man in his prime.
Kit Gorham, the Yankee Terror by
all that's providential!" exclaimed the
detective, jubilantly. What a stroke
of luck."
"Curse you for a blundering fool!"
snarled that worthy TO his dazed ac-
complice; and, in fit of blind, uncon-
trollable fury, he kicked him again and
again in the face.
In due course, Gorham and his con-
federate, the exemplary Sherman, alias
1.-THE Spider" received their just de-
serts. and the generous reward of q
grateful city council removed all exist
ing obstacles to the fulfllment of my
dearest hopes.
And now. when the domestic atmos-
pheric conditions are trihe stormy
for Mrs. Whitworth has her moments
like all the dear creatures-I produce
my fayorite, and l quietly remark:
Lets see; his name was Sherman,
wasn't it--?"
On the whole, we are very happy
couple-Tit-Bits