Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
She Was Her Own Detective.
Written for the Dispatch BY Harrison Alien.

4: - /
h by J Harrison Allen.
taking requiring all her womanIy skin
and Cone upon which few women dare
venture; he to resume his monotonous iifc
In the small cell. but with a new hope
ffutterirg within his breast. Could he
doubt the good sense of the little woman
he loved The answer was always. no
Shes bade him be cheerful. and he knew
herstoo well to think she was holding out
groundless hopes.
That same evening woman heavily
yelled waited for the clerks to leave the
large mercantile establishment where
ia mes Alexander had been employed. No
one paid any attention to the lone person
Standing opposite the large building.
Philip RhaIston. the clerk suspected by
the prisoner and his wife. as the real
criminal was the last to leave. The
woman. followed him as he fastened
down the busy street. AT the corner Rnal-
ston met the man with the heavy black
beard .who had appeared against AleSan-
der during the trial. Il thought So. MUIR
INJURED the woman. as she saw the men
shake hands and exchange greetings.
''NowsI must use my wits and do my
f:cstfI
The men entered street car. still fol-
loved by the woman. They found seats
but the woman was compelled to remain
standing. taking position just in front
OF her quarry t?) For some time the two
were e1.sag.d in earnest crrversat ton. but
III suchsa low tone the listener could catch
but few words. and those were so discon-
ntct.s { She could not fat!lt.n their .uear--
Ing. -
Did, Sou write to the woman in Ken
t35'sy o. asked Rhalston. somewhat loud
hal 1Sr 1pff ink 10 a
just the one we need to help us. too They
say she can handle a pen SO skilfully that
she can initiate any hand"
"Sh.not so loud exclaimed the clerk.
TIE bearded man drew from his pocket
a letter and handed it to his companlo:,
THAT is good" was the comment as
EhaIston finished reading and put the
letter Sin his pocket
The woman standing in front of the
men had been watching them attentively
Her heavy veil hid both her face and
CHANCES. so that the men suspected moth
ing. .:'The eyes of the watcher saw the
letter and knew it must be of great I'M
portarce. Il must have It. was her
determine ton. but how?" It was as
the crowded electric car came to sud-
den stop that something happened. and
so quickly that no eye saw it. The veil
ed woman lost her hold on the strap as
the car jolted and fell against Philip
Rhalston. One of her hands fell heavily
on his soft hat: the other darted deity
into his side pocket. extracted the letter
! and hid it in the folds of her dress
f.Excuse me. sir. she gasped. the cal
came to such a sudden stop | lost my
ho!d.'.
You are excusab'e." answered the
clerk. 'rearranging his hat won't you
have my seat? l was so lost in convers-
ing with my friend did not notice you
were standing"
No. THANK you. get out at the next
corner
=
.,,n hour later the wife of the convicted
forger sat in her room. with look of
tteer perpexity upon her pretty face
;Fhe reaGer has no doubt surmsed that
she it was who followed the two men
Just mentioned. and who secured the let
ter from the pocket of Rholstan. AS she
sits by the open CRATE, reading that same
letter. we look over her shoulder and
see this:
| Mr.. Hiram Johns:
| Your letter received. I am the person
to do the writing for you. / shall be In
! the city Men. eve and shall stop at -
! Motel under the name of Mrs R Simp-
| son will leave on the same night for
s. on 9:06 train as you have arranged.
AS we have never met you may know
&
ItcIothes and black hat and veil. as a
widow in mourning. Be sure to meet that
| train al s. Mon. eve. the s.
Yours. NELLIE KAHN
| After reading the letter. Mrs. Alexan-
| der sat for some time by the fire. lost
in deep thought. She sprang to her feet.
| with look of determination ut is
dangerous" she thought. out for James
sake it must be done. This Is the Monday
| evening mentioned in this letter. and 1t
is now s O'clock.
| The plucky wife fastened to the tele-
graph office. and sent this message:
+ Mrs. X. Simpson. Room l07. Hotel:
| DO not come Tonight: will see you
al hotel tomorrow and explain.
HIRAM JOHNS"
| All WIS shrouded in darkness when the
| 900 train stopped at the little flag sta
! ton of s.. and yelled lady. dressed
! in black aighted. The train Numbered
on. leaving the lone figure standing on
| the station platform. A moment later
| the bearded man. already mentioned
before stepped from the darkness where
ne hal been concealed.
| is this Nellie kain?'
1T is"
The carriage is waiting: let us co..
TIE two went to the rear OF the build
! ing where a closed carriage stood ready.
| iIirom Johns helped his companion in
/ then called to the driver. Go ahead. Jim.
! and lose no time"
You have carried out your plans very
wet, said Johns, seating himself oppo-
| site the woman.
Il always do. / have been lodging po-
| lice and detectives several years. That
| gives me great experience.
! ''WeIl. to get to business said the
| man. we have heard of you as clever
woman with the pen. and as soon as We
| -cot7ttf- locate you. we sent that letter.
Whit is your line OF operations
| The same we heard you are an adept
| in"
The imitation Of signatures?" t1his
| question With sly smiley
Yes
You may have confidence in me- said
| the. man. so tell me all and 1 will know
| how to work"
las We want you to join Us 1t Is only
| proper to tell you There are four Of US
! who have been working together. The
| fellow who handles the pen got mis- hand