The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-21

| tive, IL becomes his business TO snv ,Ino,
| mat spy and report TO officers OF our so
| ciety. In this way we often obtain vahl
able Information. which frequently make.
| ~ possible for us TO aid in tho escape ot
the special prey for which the detectiy.
might be searching Now, you viii re-
| member that when you were taking with
slippery Sam this morning that cunnIns
young man recognized a detective and led
you on In another direction Very good
But IL 80 CHANGED that another OF our
members was I'm the neighborhood. and he
also saw the detective and at once bera n
to shadow him. Can you guess what busi'
ness called that detective into the neigh
oornood or Apollo hall this morning?'
No"
Yet he is employed by your friend
Mr Barnes Preacher Jim chuckled n.
Mr. Mitchell this time manifested his sur
prise when. by way OF response. ne asked
quickly:
DO you mean that Mr.. Barnes set a spv
upon me?" Spy
Just so. Friendly. wasn't it?"
hut with what object?'
mr. Mitchell felt assured that he couId
answer nus own question, but ne wished
70 learn how much this man knew or
suspected. His object was not attained
Tor the answer was:
'Ah' That's no affair of mine Won ar.
not one Of our members and therefore
our man would net have pursued t+r. mat
Ter further had you not been in company
with slippery Sam"
And why because OF that fact?'
~ Is always important 10 know
whether there be among us any who
would betray a friend for ready cash.
You comprehended? so I'm this instance
Mr., Barnes man, who Is a clever fellow.
seeing that Slippery Sam had suspicious.
Kept In the background until you were
around The corner. and then he began TO
shadow you most scientifically. But our
man is skilful also and he easily kept
me me, whole party In sight until you parted
home and obtained much Information
about yosi, all OF which In due time reach
ed mo. IL was not difficuls to discover
that San meant 10 bring you with him,
and so we were forewarned."
You do not mean that you could get
that Information from Sam himself? He
seems too shrewd."
He Is sharp. but our system was too
much for him. II was very easy, as you
VIII perceive. He could not bring you with
him without obtaining pass for two
In applying for IL he was obliged to give
a full account OF the person whom he
wished 10 Introduce. He did so. and with
the information which we already had II
was not difficult to take the true meas
urement OF his imaginary crook who
worked at engraving bank notes and
who did not desire any new acauaint-
ances. IL was really quite amusing 10
near him expatiating upon the wonder
ful talents OF his new found friend who
was stalking him for the present
Preacher Jim initiated Slippery Sam SO
we'll that Mr.. Mitchell laughed heartily.
Then he asked:
But why did you allow me to come on
board?'
II will tell you candidly I had az much
curiosity to learn your object I'm coming
among us as you possibly had In seeing
mo and my friends. Why did you conner"
II will he equally frank with you I
had no special object. The proposal was
made by Sam. and IL seemed TO be at
tractive, therefore accepted. I have al
ways taken an interest I'm the so called
criminal class and would not miss the
chance of seeing Ihem when free from re-
straint."
Then you came merely as one goes to
the park TO see the wild ANIMAL"
with absolutely no other definite pur-
pose
There was pause during which Ii was
evident TO Mr.. Mitchell that his compan-
ion was stlll somewhat In doubt as TO the
wisdom OF trusting him. and or this he
was assured by the next question, which
was asked suddenly, that ne might be
chance for preparing an untruthful re-
ply.
why was that detective spying upon
you?'' asked Preacher Jim. Mr.. Mitchell
realized that II would be necessary TO an
swer unhesitatingly. but he was accus-
toned TO determine upon a line OF con-
duct quickly. and now he decided upon a
bold and possibly hazardous course.
II have no objection 10 telling YOU
what I think OF that" said he, though,
OF course | may be wrong. Mr.. Barnes is
asked me ITO" 10 assist him He values my
assistance In an investigation, but at the
same time he disllkes To admit that
could accomplish what would banl him.
] imagine that in this instance he has
sent a man after me that may not MAKE
discoveries which would be unknown TO
him. Thus he would hope 10 keep pace
with me In any advance that j might
make
III he Is as clever a detective as his
reputation declares him TO be, he should
he above such methods. Were l a de-
tective I would use my brains and not
rely upon this petty system OF spies"
This was even better than Mr.. Mitchell
had hoped for. and he hastened now TO
lead the conversation into the channel
which he had chosen 10 enter.
II concur with you heartily. and think
your opinion upon a crime would be most
Interesting j wonder N l would be go
ing too far were l 20 ask YOU TO discuss
the one N question"
You may do 40 IL you wish. IL VIII
depend upon what crime II IL and how
much | may really know about II wheth-
er I would care to talk II over with you.
You must not forget that I am a crook
and that am acquainted with the great
est criminals In this country. Any one
of my friends might be the guilty man In
thla Instance. Indeed. I might be the
criminal myself"
Even IN a csse OF MURDER" asked Mr..
Mitchell. quickly. eying his companion
closely
why not?" was the calm reply. 1T II
natural for YOU 60 suppose that the de-
gree of the crime matters, but with the
born criminal. such as I am, there are
no degrees. NO limits. except those Gre