Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-11-06
How Bismarck Brown 7
Uncovered a Thief


in the Office Of the largest business
house of its kind in Chicago. Before
him stood a young man who bad just
finished making a complaint tnat
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 q moments pause
dozen others have reported the loss OF
money from the change pockets OF
their coats In that closet"
"Dc you suspect any oneT
''No, l have no suspicious ana 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 TO me-"
~ have no fear of William" replied
the employer stoutly. 81 don't believe
he is thief, and / won't till 1t has
been proved against him. However,
am determined to find out who has
made everybody suspicious of every
body else In 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 a new track through
q 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 at 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 Eve or six minutes later he
saw that William was still busy scrub.
bling his hands. "a
That's rather odd" thought Mr..
Lyon. when did William become so
particular as all that?' And then he
asked aloud: whats 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 1t shows again"
Must be hard stuff to get off" mus.
ed Mr.. Lyon, and then a queer smile
spread over his face and a Sherlock
Holmes idea passed through his mind.
"Get me some of that bismarck
brown" he ordered, and when it was
brought he hurried into his Office with
the air of man who had solved deep
mystery. The first thing he did was ia
summon the head bookkeeper, who an.
swered the summons at once.
IF you'll let me spoil the change
pocket of your coat | think can catch
the fellow who has been stealing 50
long In that courtroom" said Mr.. Lyon
without further explanation.
"All right" answered the bookkeeper
I'D give the whole coat to know who
II is"
Under this arrangement AIR. Lyon
put lot of small coins In the small
pocket OF the bookkeeper's coat aIii
smeared pocket and money with biz
marck brown. After the others had
gone for the night he and the book.
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
He visited one desk afte,
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 ou-
of the usual. but as he approached one
desk he noticed that the young mar
sitting there was holding his pen In Q
peculiar fashion and had stains on his
fingers.
MIR. 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 moment later and In 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 Ill at ease
that Mr.. Lyons suspicious were con.
firmed at once.
did | notice that you were holding
your pen In peculiar way, Mr.. John
son!' asked the employer.
Yes, sir" stammered the young fel.
low, growing very red; 81 cut my hand
trifle last nlght-that Isl
THAT is, you know why | sent for
you to come In here. Isn't that what
you mean, sir2" interrupted Mr.. Lyon.
tFJfnA