Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-10

the reputation of the detective, ANA
teur and professional, the genius in the
criminal line Is necessarily of n modest
and retiring disposition. He cannot
call the public attention TO his ingcnu-
ity and skill; he cannot puff his achieve
ments in the daily press. Not only are
his masterpieces unsigned, but they re-
main forever unheard Of. The detec-
tive is known only by his successes;
the criminals reputation is based sole
ly upon his failures"
DR.. Murdoch delivered this parting
shot with the cool deliberateness which
was characteristic of the man. The in
solcnt irony of his words was cmpha
sized by the calmness of his bearing.
II say, doctor" laughed Sprague,
you have missed your vocation. You
should have adopted the profession Of
scientific criminal yourself. You seem
It is, and little experience would no
doubt have made you an adept in the
practice as we'll"
| A look of mild amusement passed
over Murdock's countenance.
perhaps you are right, Mr.. Spraguc
At any rate, think may affirm. with
nut overweening conceit, that if had
followed the course you suggest,
could have prepared for your friend
Mr.. Sturgis some pretty little problems
on which to sharpen his wits. | feel
that could have been an artist as well
| as a scientist in that line"
you might console yourself by writ
| ing an interesting and valuable book
under some such title as hints to the
Young Criminal or Crime as a Fine
| Art At all events, your criminals Of
| genius have n stanch advocate in you.
But what on earth have the detectives
done to you to call forth this whole
sale vitucration?"
Nothing. But, as DISTINGUISHED OBJ
server, like to sec fair play. If ! am
| mistaken in my estimation Of the mod
rrn detective. am open TO conviction.
I have 5000 to wager against 500 that
/ ! can pick mp any daily paper and from
! its columns select an unsolvcd riddle,
| 10 which no detective on he face of the
earth can give the answer. Have any
aker, gcntlcmcn?"
As he spoke, his eyes met Sturgis' and
suddenly seemed to flash with an earn
est defiance. which instantly melted in
/ 10 the calm, cynical smile of the man
/ of the world.
Done" said Sturgis, quietly.
VERY well, Mr.. Sturgis,' observed
/ DR.. Murdoch. indifferently. 81 shall
/ continc myself to the columns Of your
/ own newspaper for the selection of the
/ problem upon which You arc TO work.
And" he added, with supcrcilious
smile, you are nj liberty to fix the
limit Of time in which the wager must
/ be decided"
Hear. heart" exclaimed young
broker. This is becoming interesting.
and promises some sport for those of
/ us who are giddy enough to en- Joy stalk
ing something on this novel contest.
!. for one, am willing to lay reasonable
/ odds on the side of law and order, as
| represented by the enlightened press,
| in the person of our clever friend Stur-
/ gis. Come, Chadwick, will two 10 one
against the scientific criminal tempt
/ YOU to champion the cause of that APP
parcntly unappreciatcd individually"
Very well, Fred" answered the maa
/ addressed; I'm take you for hun
| dred."
A few similar bets were laughingly
arranged and copy of the Evening
Tempest was sent for.