Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-10-25
The Daily Short Story!
}HOW BIsMARK BROWN UNCoY->
Erred A THIEF.

III
him stood Il young man vino had just
finished making complaint that
sounded most unwelcome in Mr.. Lyons
ears.
you are not the first one who has
spoken TO me Of this. Johnson said
Mr. Lyon after n moments pause. a
dozen others have reported the loss OF
money from the change pockets OF
their coats in that closet"
"Do you suspect any one?"
"No. l have no suspicious and not
the slightest evidence" replied Mr..
Lyon.
Il don't like to mention suspicious
without something to support them
suggested Johnson hesitatingly, but L
have seen William the porter around
that coat closet good deal more than
seemed necessary 10 me-"
Il have no fear of William" replied
the employer stOutly. Il don't believe
he is a thief. and l won't till il has
been proved against him. However, L
am determined to find out who has
made everybody suspicious of every
body else i'm this office. and ! shall ex-
anime William along with the rest"
William was the porter. He had been
in the employ of the firm for years and
had the absolute confidence of most OF
the people about the place. AS soon as
Johnson had made his accusation and
left the office William was called in
and examined and told to keep away
from the courtroom altogether.
For several days Mr.. Lyon diligently
continued his search for the thief who
had been so troublesome, but all with
out result. He used marked coins and
lost them. and watched everybody from
strange hiding places all about the Of
fee. He was beginning To despair of the
success of his detective efforts till one
day he was set on new track through
a very ordinary circumstance. AS he
walked from his office out into the
shop in the rear of the building he no.
ticed William scrubbing fiercely mt his
hands with soap and brush. Mr.. Lyon
continued his trip through the shop.
but as he was about To pass back into
his office five or six minutes later lie
saw that William was still busy scrub
bling his hands.
That's rather odd thought Mr..
Lyon. When did William become So
particular as all that And then he
asked aloud: What's the matter with
your hands. William"
I've been handling some OF that bis
marck brown they use in staining
woodwork" replied William. Its the
worst stuff To stain YOU ever saw.
After you think You have washed it all
Off just rub Your hands together and
there il shows again.
Must DE hard stun to,get on mus
ed Mr.. Lyon. and then Il queer smile
spread over his face and a sherlock
Holmes idea passed Though his mind.
Get me some of that bismarck
brown" he ordered, and when it was
brought ne hurried into his office with
the air of Il man who had solved deep
mystery. The first thing he did was tn
summon the head bookkeeper. who an
swered the summons ut once.
IF your let nae spoil the change
pocket of your coat l think can catch
the fellow who has been stealing 50
long in that courtroom" said Mr.. Lyon
without further explanation.
''.All right" answered the bookkneper:
I'D give the whole coat to know who
it is"
Under this arrangement Mr.. Lyon
put lot OF small coins i'm the small
pocket of the bOOkkeeper's coat and
smeared pocket and money with bis
marck brown. After the others had
gone for the night he and the hook
keeper visited the courtroom together
and discovered that the money was
gone. Next morning Mr.. Lyon was
down early, and he managed to have
business with every one about the es-
tablishment. He visited one desk after
another, and as he talked watched
every movement of the hands OF the
man with whom he was conversing.
For half an hour he saw nothing out
OF the usual. but as he approached one
desk he noticed that the young man
sitting there was holding his pen in
peculiar fashion and had stains on his
fingers.
Mr.. Lyon looked carefully to make
sure and then hurried into his private
office and sent for the fellow who had
attracted his attention. The door open
ed Il moment later and i'm walked young
johnson, who few days earlier had
accused William. the porter. of being
the thief He had confused and guilty |
expression and seemed so i'll at ease
that Mr.. Lyons suspicious were CON
firmed at once.
Did j notice that you were holding
your pen in a peculiar way, Mr.. John |
SOM asked the employer.
Yes, sir" stammercd the young fell |
low, growing very red: Il cut my hand |
trifie last night-that is
THAT is, YOU know why / sent for !
you TO come in here Isn't that what /
you mean, SIR" interrupted Mr.. Lyon.
I'm sorry to confess that do, sir,
but r.
Don't make any excuses ordered
Mr.. Lyon, but just follow me back
into the outer Office
The young man did as he was bid,
and when he had reached his desk Mr.
Lynn dirnlded fh.. nttcutinn Of thnl