Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-07-11


Cali right, Miss. Don't you worry
yourself about that. l shan'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-the fact that his spirits had risen
considerably. Not only was there the
mark of the burn on her hand, but
there were a dozen signs-in her light
ness of foot, her height, her slender
ness of figure, the softness 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 on 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 you've helped me consld-
erably, and In a way you wouldn't
think, to find out the thief who's given
tx oil tho hothorU
Again the girls face, with it's deli
cate, tell-tale skin, blanched with a
spasm of terror. But he did not ap-
pear to notice it.
"And now may just add, in strict
confidence. mind, as it's thing don't
want to get known till I've actually
nabbed the chap, that he's one Of the
beSt-knOwn thieves from the East End
than once"
AS he said these words, with an ex.
preston Of great cunning, Nells face,
as easily read as book, exhibited first
establishment, then relief, and finally
a joy which she tried in vain to hide.
He could see, even though her eyes
were downcast and her mouth tightly
drawn, that she could scarcely contain
herself for the wild impulse of delight
which had succeeded to the torments
Of his interrogatory.
There was moments pause before
she could collect herself to reply III
tranquil tones:
well, I'm sure, my uncle, and all OF
us, will be very glad when you've
caught him. Will you go through this
way"
And opening the inner door Of the
sitting room, she directed him to go
out through the bar
The detective smiled to himself
when, after having refreshed him
self at the bar, and apologized to
George Claris, to whom he gave
similar hint to that which he had CIV
en- Nell, he found himself once more on
the road to Stroan.
He had been SO far eminently sue
cessful, but there was many link still
wanting in the chain Of evidence
which was to connect pretty Nell Clar-
Is with the robberies at the inn. AS
he had no intention of returning to his
hotel until lie had made further in
veStigatiOns at Shingk 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 pipe |
In his mouth, soon attracted his at
tention. He recognized the man as
Jem Stickels, frequent customer at |
the Blue Lion, and a person o. whom
report spoke ill as n 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 nc |
secret of his admiration for the young |
lady. nor Of his determination to |
bring down the hussy's pride some
fine day."
1t was the intention of the detective
to go to Single End, to interrogate
Miss Bostal on the subject Of the burn
III Miss Claris's hand. But as he felt
sure that Nell would try to outwit him
oy seeing the lady and preparing her
'Or his questions, he wanted to wait
lntil she had started on her journey,
10 that he might be with Miss BOstal
when the girl arrived.
His expectations were realized to the
etter. He was waiting behind clump
If bushes not far from the garden-gate
If Single End, when he caught sight
# the girl coming across the fields at
! rapid pace. AS she drew near, he
ould hear her painting breath, could
zee, even in the waning light Of the
December day, that she cast anxious
,lances round her as she went.
When she was within a couple Of
hundred yards of him, she stopped,
With a little scream, as Jem Stickels
appeared at her side, spring
ng up from the shelter Of one Of the
numerous bikes with which the marsh
vas intersected in all directions.