The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-20

To this proposal Brockie agreed with
the greatest alacrity; and then, after
thanking me warmly. and expressing
conviction that the mystery would be
speedily solved. now that we had re-
solved on a practical attempt on the spot
he took leave. fNwas really glad OF the
Information he mad rendered, ana IN
hope that we were now on the track OF
the criminal, and ventured 10 express an
opinion TO that effect TO M'Sweeny' while
giving him directions how to proceed 40
as best TO keep the watching or the WORK
shops a secret from all but the princi-
pals OF the firm What was my surprise
then, when, a little after six O'Clock the
same evening. while getting some dlrec-
tions AZ the Central office before leaving
for Glasgow a man excitedly called, ask
iHg 10 see detective, "and NJ Govan' III
particular. II he was I'm the place.
/ had not above an hour 10 spare, SO
was a little impatient at .he request; but
the feeling vanished. and was replaced by
unbounded astonishment when he began
TO speak.
.Ny name is Archibald Hooker. and |
am a cabinet maker by trade, employed
at Wilson & Sons place" he hohy op-
served. I've been robbed OF some OF my
best tools, and what's more, L think )
know the rogue who has done IL.
Every one in the place has lost tools, ana
even the rascally thief who's taken mine
pretends 20 have been robbed; indeed. !
think you were told about the thefts
some time ago"
I'VE were; but who is the rascally
thief. as you are pleased TO call him, who
mas done it7" l eagerly inquired.
"A jealous. mean-spirited hunk. called
Jamie Brockie." he wrathfuly answered.
so furious and excited as TO take no notice
of my start and quickly upraised eye
brows.
"Brockie? Brockie?" family returned.
There is surely something very singular
in this affair. Brockie7 and why do you
suspect him to be the thief?'
He's a cabinet maker working at the
bench next TO mine. and the villains jeal-
Gus because i get the best work. I've said
very little about losing my tools, be-
cause I've had my eye on him for months.
hoping TO catch him at IL. and eften
searching his tool chest for my own
things when he was out of the shop.
And did you get any of them?"
''No, didn't. He was too fly for that;
and do you know what the sly schcmer
had the audacity to do?"
'No." / said. though had guess OF
what was coming.
'He went and put an American spoke
shave of his into my bag. then waited till
a few shopmates were about and charged
me with stealing IL. after asking me. as
blind, " / hadn't seen IL or been using IT,
I gave IL him hot then, though tried
hard to keep my temper, so as not TO put
him on his guard. and tonight put out
some tools. nearly new. and OF course
marked with my name and number and
L. ha N A II
In in the rnorning--Im certain they'll be
gone-and then you must 20 10 Mr. Brock
ie's house and search for them. IL you
don't find that he's the thief, III eat my
hat"
/ remained gravely silent for some mo-
ments. looking the man curiously In the
face. and more puzzled than would
have cared TO admit or explain. Evidently
both passionate and quick-tempered, he
mietook my silence for apathy or reiuct-
ance and hotIy added
You look as II you didn't care for the
job. DO you think that because he isn't a
thief by profession, and doesn't need to
be, that he can't steal?"
mot at all. only II would hardly do to
follow your plan and search his house.
Before that could be done we must get a
warrant. and the warrant would scarcely
be Issue without better evidence than
that which you have just advanced"
"I knew IT.! / knew itr' furiously re-
sponded Hooker. "You won't have any
thing to do with II: decline to interfere,
and so on. don't know what detectives
are paid fora parcel OF blockheads !-idi-
ots,-fools! Very well! very well! I've told
you where to look for the thief. and how
TO catch him dripping. I can do no more
with you. but can Mt least protect my
self / thought of another plan before,
hut didn't like To do .tt without seeing IL
you would help me. Now i wash my
hands OF the whole affair. I'll trust in
lazy policemen or detectives no longer,
They're best of who can help them
selves. Good night and he turned away
and ran down tho stairs
stop! and listen TO reason" began.
az he rapidly Disappeared but he did not
stop. and was evidently beyond listening
to anything could say, so the sentence