El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-16

his green eyes twinkling with curious
light. that all wisdom comes from
Boston. We in Sutherlandtown have
some sparks OF il If they have not yet
been recognized. You are satisfied
here he addressed himself to knapp
''that the blow which killed Agatha
Webb was struck by this respectable
old manY
Knapp smiled. as II a child had ask
ed him this question; but he answered
him good humoredly enough.
You see the dagger lying here with
which the deed was done. and you see
the bread that was bought from Lotion
with a $40 bill of Agatha Webb's
money. In these you can read my
answer"
Good evidence" acknowledged
Sweetwater: very good evidence when
we remember Mr.. Cranes story of the
old man he met rushing from the gate
way with something glittering in his
hand. | never was so beat in my life,
and yet-and yet-if l could have q
few minutes of quiet thought all by
myself I am certain 1 could show you
that there is more in this matter than
you think. Indeed. know that there
IS- pul 0O uOt iihC " give lily lcdSOhS
till I have conquered the difficulties
presented by these men having had
that $50 bill"
broke In Knapp.
"a fiddler. a nobody" quietly whis-
pered Mr.. Fenton in his ear.
Sweetwater heard him and changed
in a twinkling from the uncertain,
half baffied. wholly humble person
they had just seen to a man with
purpose strong enough to make him
hold his head with the best
81 am a musician" he admitted. land
/ play on the violin for money when
ever the occasion offers, something
which you will yet congratulate your
self upon If you wish to reach the root
Of this mysterious and dastardly crime.
But that I am nobody. l deny. and
mean that this fellow shall agree with
me before this very night is over.
Only give me an opportunity for con-
sidering this subject and the per
mission to walk for a few minutes
about this house"
That is my prerogative," protested
the detective firmly, but without any
display of feeling. Il am the man
employed to pick up whatever clews
the place may present"
Have you picked up all that are to
be found in this room:" asked Sweet
water calmly.
Knapp shrugged his shoulders. He
was very well satisfied with himself.
Then give me Il chance" prayed
Sweetwater. Mr.. Fenton," he urged
earnestly, II am not the fool you take
me for. l feel. l know, / have genius
for this kind of thing. and though 1
do play the fiddle, 1 swear there are
depths to this affair which none of you
have as yet sounded. Sirs, where are
the $3.50 in bills which go to make up
the clean thousand that was taken
from the small drawer at the back of
Agatha Webb's cupboard?"
"They are in some secret hiding
place, no doubt, which we will present
ly come upon as we go through the
house." answered Knapp.
"Umphi Then 1 advise you to put
your hand on them as soon as posi-
ble," reported Sweetwater. II will
confine myself to going over the
ground you have already investigated"
And with a sudden ignoring OF the
others presence. which could only
have sprung from an intense egotism
or from an overwhelming belief in his
own theory he began an investigation
of the room that threw the others
more commonplace efforts entirely in
the shade.
Knapp. with a slight compression of
his lips, which was the sole expression
of anger he ever allowed himself. took
up his hat and made his bow to Mr.
Fenton.
81 see." said he, that the sympathy
Of those present Is with the local
talent Let local talent work. then,
sir. and when you want me send to
the tavern on the docks. where will
be found till 1 am notified that my
services are no longer required"
mo. no" protested Mr.. Fenton.
'This boys enthusiasm will soon evap-
crate. Let him fuss away If he will.
His petty business need not interrupt
u.s."
But he understands himself" whis- |
pered Knapp. 81 should think he had |
been on our own force for years."
"Al the more reason to see what he's |
up to. Wait. If only to satisfy your
own en.Iu-i:y- 1 snan't lot many min, |
sTee 50 - oeEofe L pun nIm up.
Knapp. who was really of a cold and |
temperament. re-
Trained from further argument, and |
himself to watching the young |
man. whose movements seemed to fas- |
cinate him.
'Astonishingr Mr.. Fenton heard |
him mutter to himself. Hes more
like an eel than a man." And indeed |
the way Sweetwater wound himself |