The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-03


tAis. 10 explain thoroughly must
tell YOU something more of our organi
Zution. We CROOKS as the boys call
Themselves. are banded together for
| mutual protection. We are at eternal
warfare With the police force. We are
constantly spied upon by detectives.
SO much. of course. you know. We
have therefore arranged a more or less
perfect system OF defense. When one
of our members sees a detective. it be-
comes his business to spy upon that
spy and report to officers of our Socie
ty. In this way we often obtain valu-
able Information. which frequently
makes it possible for us to aid in the
escape of the special prey for which
the detective might he searching. Now.
you will remember that when you
We're talking with Slippery Sam this
morning that cunning young man rec
ognized 4 detective and led you off in
another direction. Very good. But it
so Glanced that another of our men,
bers was in the neighborhood, and he
also saw the detective and at once be-
gan to shadow him. Can you guess
what business called that detective
into the neighborhood of Apollo hall
this morning?"
mo"
Yet he is employed by your friend,
Mr.. Barnes" Preacher Jim chuckled
as Mr.. Mitchell this time manifested
his surprise when, by way of response,
be asked quickly:
DO yon mean that Mn Barnes set a
spy upon me?"
Just so. Friendly, wasn't it?'
But with what object?'
Mr.. Mitchell felt assured that he
could answer his own question. but he
wished to learn how much this man
Enew or suspected. His object was
not attained. for the answer was:
"Ah. That's no affair of mine. You
are not one of our members, and there
fore our man would not have pursued
the matter further had you not been
il company with Slippery Sam"
And why because of that fact?"
1T is always important to know
whether there be among us any who
would betray Il friend for ready cash.
:
Mr. Barnes man. who is clever fell
low, seeing that Slippery Sam had sus-
PIGEONS, kept in the background until
you We're around the corner and then
lie began to shadow you most scientific
ally. But our man is skillful also.
and he easily kept the whole party in
sight until you parted with Sam. Then
he tracked you to your home and OBJ
tanned much information about YOU all
OF which in due time reached me. 1t
was not difficult to discover that Sam
meant to bring you With him. and so
we We're forewarned.'
You do not mean that you could get
that information from Sam himself!
He seems too shrewd.''
He is sharp. but our system was too
much for him. 1t was very easy, as
you will perceive. He could not bring
you with him without obtaining pass
for two. la applying for it he was
obliged to give full account of the
person whom he wished to Introduce
He did SO. and with the information
which we already had it was not diff
cult to take the true measurement of
his imaginary crook who worked at
engraving bank notes and who did
not desire any new acquaintances.' 1t
was really quite amusing to hear him
eXpatiating upon the wonderful talents
of his new found friend who was stalk
ing him for the present."
Preacher Jim initiated Slippery Sam
so well that Mr.. Mitchell laughed
heartily. Then he asked
But why did you allow me to come
on board?"
IL will tell you candidly. had as
much curiosity to learn your object in
coming among US as you possibly had
in seeing me and my friends. Why did
you Gomez"
II will be equally frank with you. l
had no special object. The proposal
was made by Sam, and it seemed to
be attractive. ! therefore accepted.
have always taken an interest in the
so called criminal class and would not
miss the chance of seeing them when
free from restraint"
''Then you came merely as one goes
to the park TO see the wild animals:"
w AlA ABSOLUTELY III OtllGI
purpose"
There was pause during which it
was evident to Mr.. Mitchell that his
companion was still somewhat in
doubt as to the wisdom of trusting
him, and OF this he was assured by
the next question, which was asked
suddenly, that he might be taken off
his guard, OF at least have no chance
for preparing an untruthful reply.
why was that detective spying up
on you?" asked Preacher jim Mr..
Mitchell realized that it would be nee
essary to answer unhesitatingly, but
he was accustomed to determine up.
on line of conduct quickly, and now
he decided upon a bold and possibly
hazardous course.
II have no objection to telling you
what l think of that" said he, though,
of course, l may be wrong Mr..
Barnes is working upon n mysterious
case and has asked me to assist him
In 11ync