The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-11-18

wafu and rang the bell sharply at
his elbow.
The folding door, in the center of
the room opened and his personal
attendant appeared.
"Send Mac here at once!" he said.
and lolled back in his chair again.
smoking more vigorously than ever
and engaged in deep thought. The
attendant bowed himself out and a
moment later the chief of detectives
entered, and, closing the door be-
hind him, advanced to the desk
where his superior was seated.
He was a small man, looking not
unlike an over-worIed clerk, quick
and nervous in his movements. with
a long pale face and sharp eyes that
almost glared from beneath bushy
eyebrows.
Want me, SUPERB" he asked, in
low voice. Mac" was a man not
given to eloquence or long speeches.
Il am thinking that this depart
ment-yours, mine, everybody's, is in
bad state" said the chief.
"Ah," but the little mans face was
unmoved.
Look at that stack of reports
there" exclaimed the other. pointing
to his desk. Mostly made up of the
hopeless attempts to find the fellow
who is at the head of most of the
robberies that have been committed
in the city during the past year.
And not one of our people has been
able to get even a clew to his where
abouts. Now, that fellow must be
caught or the department will stand
forever disgraced. Never since 1
have been connected with the force
have we been confronted with so
many failures. Why, if things go on
this way you and 1 will have to get
out, that's all"
''I'm sure wish ct was different"
sighed Mac, shifting nervously from
one foot to the other. "After all, it
may not be the work of one man.
You know a thief gets reputation,
and then every other crime of note
is set down to his credit, or discredit.
Just like in our own business. We
often get. credit in the papers for
unearthing a criminal, when it may
be, like as not, entirely the work of
one of our men,"
Inspector Barnes looked at his
companion to see if there was any
personal insinuation intended, but
the little man was busy eying the
glass case containing criminal curl
osities.
''Well, if these robberies are not
the work of the same man, why
don't you catch the ones who are
guilty." he said, in a voice of exas-
peration. 81 tell you I still believe
there is one behind it all, for these
affairs bear the same stamp. 1t is,
of course, possible that some one
else has copied his methods. Who
ever he is, he is a clever man, and
we have not heard of the like since
the days of George Leonidas Leslie
If / were not sure that Leslie was
very dusty, I should believe that he
had a hand in these matters. Now,
Mac, why don't you catch him?"
"Why, indeed?" with a smile
'Why don't 1 capture a rainbow to
make ribbons out of it for my wife?
1 tell you, Super, we are doing all we
can. We have had some men who
work for him in hand, but, though
industriously pumped, they know lit
tie more about him than we do. To
call the man a shadow is wrong,
for he never stays as long as a
shadow in one place. But 1 have an
idea
you are fortunate-so early in
the morning."
cit is this, that the head of these
affairs is not to be found in the I'M
der world, but higher up. For all
we know, one who passes as a gen
tleman."
THAT I have thought of myself"
said the chief, thoughtfrlly. "Per-
haps we have been working in the
wrong direction all along. Well, 1
can only urge you to do your best,
or we shall find ourselves disliked
by the press and the public and in
general disrepute.'
'I'll try new tack" and the de-
tective brought his teeth together
with a snap. Don't think 1 haven't
worked hard over this cursed affair.
1t worries me quite as much as it
does you" but the chief did not seem
to be listening, was leaning back in
his chair as if half asleep, and the
other, seeing him so preoccupied,
took the opportunity to slip out of
the room.
The closing of the door reused the !
chief from his reverie. for he sat up
and looked around as if wondering /
to find himself alone. Just then a
timid tap sounded on the door and |
the attendant entered.
swell, what do you wGnt?" asked
the chief
There's heavy swell outside who
says he thinks he has news of impor-
lance, bout this last robbery on de
aveny."
''Some other fool-crank, I suppose,