The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-10-03

The heels of his boots, as I observed,
were very true. He was therefore a
man who did little walking. He had
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 Off
Gals do when a caller enters. He
claimed to have nervous trouble. That
was or was not a good excuse for his
| presence. A door slammed, and he
jumped. That showed nerves. The
diligence ratified past on its way from
the railroad station to the big hotel,
and Mr.. Braceby slyly and furtively
peered out of the window. That was
the action of fugitive from justice.
| In the course of four or five days l
had the stranger sized up to dot and
would have bet five to one that my
diagnosis was positively correct. He
was a straight haired American. He
was a public official. 1t was his first
time abroad. He was in disguise and
a fugitive. Whatever Doodle he had
with him was in his undershirt 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 for no papers, but when /
bought copies of New York daily at
the hotel and took them home to read
he could scarcely control his impa-
tience until he had. his hands on them.
am no man hunfer. ! did not go to
the police or drop hint to any one. OF
whabever crime he was guilty. he was
safe from me. / knew 1t wasn't murder
unless doae in the heat of passion. for
he was sentimental and tender hearted.
think it was on the fifth day of his
stay that he became feverish and called
In a doctor and went to bed-mental
worry. you see | had finished my sup
per and was smoking my pipe on the
little veranda when | saw stranger
coming up the path from the hotel.
From his gait judged him to be an
American. From the way he furtively
eyed the chalet and it's surroundings |
reasoned that he had other business
than seeking for lodgings. AS he came
to halt and looked me over he gave
himself away as a detective. He had
taken me for the man he wanted, and
chagrin showed clearly on his face. He
was from a western state and on the
trail Of defaulting city treasurer. 1t
was queer enough that he didn't ask IL
there was another traveller in the house.
He took it for granted that | was the
only one, and he told me the whole sto-
~ of Braceby's theft and flight. My
diagnosis had been positively correct
There was the man under his thumb
He had followed him for three months
and had only to climb a fight of II
steps to lay hands on him. but 1t never
happened. | was mum. | was not in
terested in the case beyond proving my
observations. lie talked. for two hours
and then went away. saying that he
should hang abont for a few days.
Half an hour after his going 1t was dis
covered 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 chalet 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 hafore evidences
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