The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-27

er large concern in the same line OF
trade?
AS | was about to speak he raised
his hand for me To Keep silent
" IT'S all up, Cass, | see" said he
give minutes more, or a clear stair
way just now. and YOU never would
have caught me. I've another Office
and another disguise close bv here.
was certain you were on my track.
Neither Onslow nor May would ever
have been seen here or IN the city
again.
I'm ruined now" continued he,
after short pause, "and the firm of
Lynne & Company will he terribly dis
graced. ! dread TO meet my partners
most of all"
"You are the receiver, Bates" l said
as soon as l could recover myself, "but
who is the thef?"
81 am: alone" replied he TO my
great surprise. "The firm .of Bates,
May & Onslow," continued he in Il
hard dry voice. did the whole busi-
ness. 1t required brains, a variety of
accomplishments, and plenty Of nerve.
You know | possess all these. l stole
as Bates, transferred the goods to
May at another office, and received
and shipped them here as Onslow.
Neither Onsow. May nor Bates
ever was seer in company. 1t was inn
possible. Onslow, you perceive never
was seen ia the street with any mer-
Chandise. The position of these two
offices enabled mo to work my PLAN"
But the dlsguises ana the transfer
of the Soods?" cried l.
Nothing easier when YOU bear IN
mind that my special success in anna
teur theatriCdis was in rapid change OF
marveiousiy clever makups and in fa-
cial contortions | made this matter
ard these costumes and the time and
place of their change Il close study;
that is all You perceive / always
dress in dark clothes as Bates. Well,
as Bates / 60 about town with goods
unnoticed. because it is my regular line
as salesman"
l nodded assent
We'll" resumed he, after getting
out of the drygoods district as Bates
] step into the obscure doorway, or If
necessary, irtO another office | have,
and in a twinkle l am John May, as
/ carry him in my clothes May is, YOU
see, simply change of pocket caps
that is why I have been wearing soft
hats lately in business hours-a false
moustache. eyeglasses, and in addi-
tion of this expression of Countenance"
(here he assumed a stolid stare) land
a peculiar voice. Here you have him
complete" said he, quickly putting on
his now rather dilapidated disguise.
Simple as was the change, it never
theless effected a thorough transfor-
nation of personal appearance.
hp In
using great discretion in his NOV
ments brought his goods to his office
here, and transferred them by this in
side door to OnslOw. 1t was really
only necessary for Onslow to come
here when goods We're ready for ship
ment to Bagley; but he was in and
out occasionally. just for appearance
sake. His disguise could be more elab-
crate as it did not require particularly
rapid assumption and was always put
on under lock and key. But l will
show you how quickly l can get into
it.
He stepped into the next loom ana
in an incredibly short period was back
again, the long-haired, full-bearded,
round-shouldered, forbidding-looking
Onslow we had SO nearly failed to
catch.
It's mostly the work of the wig
maker and tailor you perceive, though
it must be sustained with care an /
unlimited nerve" said Batos as he re-
moved his dress and handed i. to us
for inspection.
well, you're good one, sail jerks
in deep admiration. I'VE shall have
to lock you up at Charlestown sure"
This very dubious compliment ana
assurance shocked me and visiblY af-
fected Bates. Notwithstanding the
cold-blooded rascality of the case, /
could now feel only deep commisera-
tion. Bates saw it expressed clearly
enough in my face
Don't take it to heart, Cass." said
he. You didn't know whom you were
hunting down. You simply done your
duty well. I've never felt easy since
you asked the teamster Cwho told me
all about the affair about the case.
forgot myself when ! threw in the
fancy marking touches which you
used to admire i'm the old days"
Yes" said I, "it was the marking
that first caught my eye, but the
initials C.. V. o. made me ask the
questions"
That's what puzzles me-" responded
ne. How did you first get started af-
ter Onslow?"
"By this" said /, handing him the
fragment of the postoffice bill. 81
picked it up in our counting room nea,
Mills desk"
He gave low whistle.
Yes" shaking his head, "it was that
little bit of paper that started you on
the right hunt. ! was not often So
careless as to carry even a torn fras-
ment of such documents about me.
dropped it there myself, accidentally,
when calling on Mills one noon"
ITS all over now" continued he
after a short pause. 1T has been 4
hard strain on me, and / really feel a
certain sense of relief"
What's your next step?" added ht
quickly.
But you haven't told yet how the
rObberies were committed" said |
That's what has puzzled us most OF
ALL"
"Can't you guess now?"
"No, not even supposing you had an
accomplice," replied J, Can you?'
asked I of jerks.