Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-06-26
.THE.nTSTERT. .oF.THE
\uFhor ofs' 7hc Kou,e on fhe Warsh." etc.

came"
"All right, Miss. Don't you worry
yourself about that. l sban't put her
to much trouble, can promise you
that At this stage of the business it's
only asking questions. But, of course,
you understand that we have to make
sure we get truthful answers"
Nell looked more anxious than ever,
but she made no further objection.
do you want to ask me anything
more?" she said, quietly.
Nothing more at present, Miss. And
I'm much obliged to YOU for the few
minutes talk you've given me-"
He did not hide - perhaps he could
not-thc fact that his spirits had risen
considerably. Not only was there the
mark of the burn on her hand, but
there were dozen signs-in her light
ness of foot, her height, her slender
ness of figure, the softncss Of her
hand, her hesitation in answering him.
by which he began to feel absolutely
sure that he was at last on the right
tack. Therefore he had to persuade
her that he was Oh the wrong one.
"Of course, Miss said he, "it does
not do to say too much when one is
only investigating like. But l may
tell you that yon've helped me consid.
erably, ana in way you wouldnt
think, to find out the thief who's given
US all the bother"
Again the girls face, with its deli
cate, tell-tale skin, blanchcd with a
spasm of terror. But he did not ap.
pear to notice it.
And now l may just add, in strict
confidence. mind, as it's a thing don't
want to get known till I've actually
nabbed the chap, that he's one Of the
bcst-known thieves from the East End
of London Gnd has done time more
than once"
KS he said these words, with an ex.
preston of great cunning, NrllS face,
as easily read as book, exhibited first
astonishmcnt, then relief, and finally
Il joy which she tried in vain to hide.
He could see, oven though her eyes
were dOwncast ana her mouth tightly
drawn, that she could scarcely contain
herself for the wild impulse of delight
which had succeeded to the tormentS
of his intcrrogatory.
There was Il moments pause before
she could collect herself to reply in
tranquil tones:
We'll, I'm sure, my uncle, and all OF
us, will be very glad when you've
caught him. VIII you go through this
way:"
And opening the inner door of the
sitting room, she directed him to SO
out through the bar,
The detective smiled to himself
when, after having refreshed him.
self at the bar, and apologzed &c
| George Claris. to whom he gave a
| similar hint to that which he had CIV
| en- Nell, he found himself once more Oh
the road to Stroan.
lie had been so far emincntly sue
cessful, but there was many link still
| wanting in lne chain of evidence
which was to connect pretty Nell Clar-
| is with the robberes at the inn. AS
| he had no intention of returning to his
hotel until he had made further in.
| veStigationS at Shingle End, he
| doubled back by way of the fields when
| he had gone a short distance along
| the road, and hung about between the
| Blue Lion and Colonel Bostal's house,
taking advantage of every bit of hedge
and tree to keep out of the range of
| chance observers.
And it was not very long before he
found that come one else was on the
| watch also. The figure Of man, in &
| jersey and seaman's boots. with felt
hat on the back of his head, and a pipe
| in his mouth, soon attracted his at.
| tention. He recognized the man as
! Jem Stickels, frequent customer at
the Blue Lion, and Il person o. whom
| report spoke i'll as a confirmed "loafer"
and idler, who only worked when he
could not help it. He could not be
quite certain whether Stickels saw
him, but the fisherman was on the
lookout for another person, and the
detective had little difficulty in guess
ing that that person was Nell Claris.
For indeed Jem Stickels made ne
secret OF his admiration for the young
lady. nor Of his determination to
bring down the hussys pride some
fine day"
1t was the intention of the detective
to go to Shinge End. to interrogate
Miss Bostal on the subject Of the burn
on Miss Claris's hand. But as he feit
sure that Nell would try to outwit him
by seeing the lady and preparing her
for his questions, he wanted to wait
until she had started on her journey
so that he might be with Miss Bostal
when the girl arrived.
His expectations were realized to the
letter. He was waiting behind clump
of bushes not far from the gardengato
of Shingle End, when he caught sight
Of the girl coming across the fields al
rapid pace. AS she drew near, he
could hear her painting breath, could
see, even in the waning light of the
December day, that she cast anxious
glances round her as she went
When she was within a couple OF
hundred yards of him, she stopped,
with little scream, as Jem Stickela
suddenly appeared at her side, spring.
ing up from the shelter OF one of tho
numerous dikes with which the marsh
was intersected in all directions
The detective heard the fisherman's