The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-30

tQere were QOZeu SlSuS-lu uel hSnt
ness of foot, her height, her slender
ness of figure, the softness Of her
hand, her hesitation in answering him,
by which he began to feel absolutely
sure that he was at last on the right
tack. Therefore he had to persuade
her that he was on the wrong one.
"Of course, Miss" said he, ut does
not do to say too much when one is
only investigating like. But 1 may
tell you that you've helped me consid-
erably, and in way you wouldn't
think, to find out the thief who's given
US all the bother"
Again the girls face, with its deli
cate, tell-tale skin, blancheu with a
spasm of terror. But he did not ap-
pear to notice it.
"And now I may just add, in strict
confidence, mind, as it's thing don't
want to get known ill I've actually
nabbed the chap, that he's one of the
best-known thieves from the East End
Of London and has done time more
than once"
AS he said these words, with an ex-
preston of great cunning, Nelps face,
as easily read as a book, exhibited first
astonishment then relief, and finally
Joy which she tried in vain to hide.
He could see, even though her eyes
were downcast and her mouth tightly
drawn, that she could scarcely contain
herself for the wild impulse of delight
which had succeeded to the torments
Of his interrogatory.
There was moments pause before
she could collect herself to reply in
tranquil tones:
"Well, I'm sure, my uncle, and all of
Us, will be very glad when you've
caught him. Will you 60 through this
way"
And opening the inner door of the
sitting room, she directed him to go
out through the bar.
The detective smiled to himself
when, after having refreshed him
self at the bar, and apologized to
George Claris, to whom he gave a
similar hint to that which he had Civ
en- Nell, he found himself once more on
the road to Stroan.
de had been so far eminently sue
cessful, but there was many link still
wanting in ine chain of evidence
which was to connect pretty Nell Clar-
is with the robberies at the inn. AS
he had no intention Of returning to his
hotel until LIE had made further in
vestigations at Shingle End, he
doubled back by way of the fields when
he had gone a short distance along
the road, and hung about between the
Blue Lion and Colonel Bostars house,
taking advantage Of every bit of hedge
and tree to keep out of the range Of
chance observers.
And it was not very long before he
found that come one else was on the
watch also. The figure Of man, in a
jersey and seaman's boots, with a felt
hat on the back of his head, and pipe
in his mouth, soon attracted his at
tention. He recognized the man as
Jem Stickels, q frequent customer at
the Blue Lion, and person o. whom
report spoke i'll as q confirmed "loafer'
and idler, who only worked when he
could not help it. He could not be
quite certain whether Stickels saw
him, but the fisherman was on the
lookout for another person, and the
detective had little difficulty in guess
ing that that person was Nell Claris.
For indeed Jem Stickels made nc
secret of his admiration for the young
lady, nor of his determination to
bring down the hussy's pride some
fine day."
1t was the intention Of the detective
to go to Shingle End, to interrogatc
Miss Bostal on the subject of the burn
on Miss Clariss hand. But as he fell
sure that Nell would try to outwit him
by seeing the lady and preparing her
for his questions, he wanted to wait
until she had started on her journey
so that he might be with Miss Bostal
when the girl arrived.
His expectations were realized to the
letter. He was waiting behind a clump
Of bushes not far from the gardeh-gato
of Shingle End, when he caught sight
of the girl coming across the fields a
a rapid pace. AS she drew near, he
could hear her painting breath, could
see, even in the waning light of the
December day, that she cast anxious
glances round her as she went.
When she was within a couple Of
hundred yards Of him, she stopped,
with i little scream, as Jem Stickels
suddenly appeared at her side, spring
ing up from the shelter of one of the
numerous dikes with which the marsh
was intersected in all directions.
The detective heard the, fsberman's
hoarse, jeering laugh. Then, he saw the
girl dart forward, with the evident in
tention of escaping her unwelcome ad-
mirer by fieetness of foot.
"rhat's the very movement by which
she got away from mer' thought the
detective, as he saw the Slight figure
bend suddenly to the right, avoiding
the rough touch with which she was
threatened.
But Jcm Stickels knew with whom
he had to Geal. Thrusting his hands
into his pockets, he contented himself
with barring her passage with his per-
son, skillfully battling each attempt she
made to pass him. These attempts on
her side, and the successful move
ments by which Jem frustrated them,
brought both the young people near
enough to the detective in his place Of