The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-19
CHAPTER ".
SLIPPERY SAM.


Investigation and thought that I'm hi
place Mr.. Barnes would hare been prou'
OF himself yet he felt depressed Re
membering his own wealth and his luxu
rious home up town. such penury as h'
had just witnessed made him dissatisfied
with himself
lie went directly 10 an undertaken and
gave orders for the burial OF Mrs. Grif-
fms child. and he sent plentiful sup
ply Of groceries to her house, Neverthe-
less he could not avoid the thought that
this was but a trife compared with what
the rich might do for the poor.
He next went to Apollo hall. Here he
thought that he might divert his mind for
here It was that young Mora claimed TO
have passed the night on which his ia
ther was killed. AS his mind reverted TO
the Mora case Mr.. Mitchell wondered at
the sudden interest which he had taken i'm
the other and smiled as he thought OF how
little Mr.. Barnes would relish his neglect
OF his 'crime OF the century
Apollo hall. situated as II Is In the very
heart of the east side slums. which in
the minds OF those who have only read
OF the section are inevitably associate
with degradation. dirt and crime. Is sur
prise 10 the visitor. The building itself is
attractive in it's architecture and inviting
in its general aspect ON the first floor
there Is a barroom. from which "A wide
staircase leads 10 the hall above. This Is
speciaus and prettily decorated with bunt-
ing which hangs from the polished rafters.
The ceiling Is high and the floor waxed
smooth for dancing. Here take place the
weddings. balls. soirees. lectures. indigna
tion meetings. political conclaves and oc-
casional riots that enliven the vicinity
MIR. Mitchell looked around with inter
est. and. having read an announcement
that a professor Of dancing would begin
his regular season on n stated date and
that the charge. az usual. would be 10
cents per lesson. he at last understood
why II Is that the children OF the street
dance az well to the tunes Of the plano
organs as do the graduates OF Marwig at
the debutante's bah
against the bar he found a dis
penser OF drinks. who was easily induced
TO talk. and after few general remarks
by way OF Introducing his topic he asked:
do you know this Mr.. Mora who has
been accused OF killing his father?"
Never heard Of HIM tin | saw his name
in the paper" replied the barkeeper. with
a coarse laugh
F'But ne claimed that he was In this
place on that night" persisted Mr.. Nit
chel
Yes; / know he did. He proved his
slibi as neat as wax | guess he's fly.
that fellow
But are you not pretty well acauant-
ed with the people who come here7"
well. rather! There don't nobody get
In without my seeing him. keep the
door"
'And II Mr.. Mora had been here would
you not have seen him?'
The barkeeper by way of reply. winked
one eye knowingly. grinned and with a
flourish slapped upon the bar the drink
which he had been mixing for his GUS
toner.
well. them" continued Mr.. Mitchell
perhaps you know the two men who
swore at the inquest that they saw Mr..
Mora here?"
"Oh, yes. know them right enough
Are they relable7'
Re lila ADLER repeated the barkeeper,
pronouncing each syllable separately and
accenting the last two with significant
emphasis. he laughed at his own wit as
he continued his rude joke. We'll. now
you've Just hit them or They're reliable
20 lie and to re-lie. according to price Of
fered. Why, for a silver quarter with n
hole In II either one Of that pair would
swear his mother was a cigar store In
dian, so you see what a beautiful alibi
they let that duck of on. Oh. tell you
pecially them that has the price and pays
their way
Then you do not believe that Mora
was here?'
"Oh, don't go as far as to say what
believe. I'm an unbeliever. I am. All
! say is II amt proved that he was here.
He might have been. you know under
some other name. only II he was them
fellows told the truth for once In their
lives. and that would be queer the both
OF them honest the same day That
would be funny" He chuckled till his
fat form shook like a bag Of jelly.
'Still. as you say" pursued Mr. Michel.
"it is possible. after ALL that he was
here?"
"oh. yes. it's possible Anything's
possible. Today might be Tuesday. only
II amt"
Still. on the chance that as you sug-
gest. he has visited this hall and is
known 10 you under another name.
should like to have an opportunity ~
seeing him here. He claims that he
comes here to study the condition OF
the poor. but ! think II more probable
that n he comes AT all there II some other
attraction.
I'm petticoats. eh?" said the barkeeper.
with laugh. Say. you amt no fool
Are you detective?'
He asked this last question so sud
denly and looked At Mr.. Mitchell so at
tentively while trying 10 seem busy pol
lshing glass that Mr.. Mitchell instantly |
decided that II would he wise 10 disabu |
his mind Of that idea II he hoped to re- !
tain his friendly aid. Therefore he said l
without a moments hesitaiion.
'Oh. no, am n reporter" |
Then you're welcome any time and |
I'm at your service" certain bright !
ening up OF the mans conutenance as
sured Mr.. Mitchell that his answer had |
been wise one. The fellow continued: /
Say. you've got that Mora chap dead |
10 rights. III he comes down here he /
don't give his own name and you can |
bet on that. and he amt visiting this /
neighbcrhood for the good OF the neigh |
bors. There's a girl In Il. or my name |
lint what II r.. Say. I'll tell you what |
The dancing school opens Saturday night |
With swarry. You be down, ana IN |,
10 what can 10 tell you who's who"
Mr.. Mitchell thanked him for his offer /
Ind. tossing him dollar In payment for /
'is drink. bade him keep the change.
which ne did. passing the silver coins 10 /
NE pocket with the dexterity OF an ex- /
,ert. Turning to leave the place NJ
Mitchell was attracted by a picture tackled
o the wall. II was crude lIthczrapS
. ssrish colors and represented the face