Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-07-14

ons for seclusion than he had stated, ana
| mad a curiosity to observe him further.
lie was taken In at the chalet, and that
night we ate supper together. | saw from
his table manners that he had been used
to the quick lunches of a restaurant. lie
claimed to be an Englishman. but MS
American idoms would have given MN
away to child. The heels of his boots,
as | observed, were very true. lie was
therefore Il man who did little walking.
He mad the curve of shoulders and neck
which come to one who sits a great deal.
Now and then he leaned back and locked
his fingers, as most public officials do
when "A caller enters lie claimed to nave
nervous trouble. That was or was not
good excuse for his presence. door
slammed, and he jumped. That showed
nerves The diligence ratified past on It's
way from the railroad station to the Dig
hotel and Mr.. Braceby slvly and furtlVely
peered out of the window. That was the
action of a fugitive from justice.
In the course of four or five days | had
the stranger sized up to dot and would
have bet five to one that my diagnosis was
positively correct. He was straight
haired American. He was public Off
cial. 1t was his first time abroad. lie was
In disguise and fugitive. Whatever
Doodle he had with him was in his under
shirt pocket. | knew this because he was
constantly raising his hand to the spot.
That Doodle was probably in drafts, as he
made cautious inquiries about bankers.
Mr.. Braceby removed his goggles and
turned down his coat collar and spoke in
natural tones after he got Installed, but
he did not wander far from the house and
sought no other company. He asked Tor
no papers. but when | bought copies OF
New York daily at the hotel and took
them home to read he could scarcely con-
troll his impotence until he had his hands
on them.
am 40 man hunter, did not go to the
police or drop a hint to any one. or what
ever crime he was guilty, he WAS safe
from me I knew il wasn't murder unless
done In the heat OF passion, for he was
sentimental and tender hearted. think
it was or the fifth day of his stay that he
became fevcrish ard called in a doctor
and went to bed-mental worry. You see.
had finished my supper and was smoking
my pipe on the little veranda when saw
4 stranger coming up the path from the
hotel From his gait I judged him to be
an American. From the way he furtlvely
eyed the chalet and its surroundings
reasoned that he had other business than
seeking lodgings AS he came to a halt
and looked me over he gave himself away
as detective lie had taken me for the
man he wanted. and chagrin showed clear
~ on his face He was from western
State and on the trail of defaulting city
treasurer. 1t was queer enough that ne
didn't ask if there was another traveller
in the house He took It for granted that
| was the only one. and he told me the
whole story Of Rracebvs theft and flight
NV diagnosis had been positively correct.
There was the man under my thumb He
had followed him for three months and
had only to climb flight Of II steps to
| lay hands on him, but it never happened
! | was mum. was not Interested IN the
! case beyond proving my observations He
talked for two hours and then went away,
! saving that he should hang around for a
| few DAYS Half an hour after his going 1t
| was discovered that Braceby was missing
| His bedroom window was over the veran-
| da and he had heard all.
When three days had passed and no
| trace of the missing man had been had, he
| was given away to the detective by one
| of the town officials He had left the chal-
| ct lightly clad. without food or baggage,
and in fever. and the idea was that he
| had lost himself on the Mountains and
would perish if not found Parties were
| sent out in search. and it was not long
| before evidences were found. When the
| fugitive discovered that he had been hunt
ed down and was about to be arrested for
| his crime there was nothing left for him
! but to take to the mountains and find a
| temporary covert until he could plan a
| little Being i'll, without food and thinly
| clad. ne could not keep his life over two
| or three days In the gloom of that first
night he had travelled hearty two miles,
making up the mountains by path. Then
| he had wandered from the path and had
1 fallen over bank 30 feet high into a
| stream. The rushing waters had carried
| him down mile or more, and they found
! his dead body wedged between two great
| rocks
| When the coroner overhaued the eff
| fects found or. the body, there came to
| light 5000 III English money and drafts
for nearly s2oo.odC more. His name was
| not Braceby. of course, but as the city
treasurer of town in the west he had