The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-27
SMALLPOX THE Fate
OF ERRING Spouse
A Missing Husband Returns
With Dread Disease.
TALE OF A WASHINGTON SLUETH

Tales Of nocturnal exploits, Of crime
and mystery, are the topics OF converse
tion when the sleuth sits at Headquar-
tiers with his comrades, OF the policeman
hunks with his fellows at the station.
1t was in a leisure hour that a de-
tective spun yarn 10 his fellows-a TO
nance with a t!nge Of tragedy. The
name Of a Washington business man is
associated with the story. Between Ilns
at his cigar. the sleuth spoke thus:
The story of John VI.
You may not have heard the story of
John NJ. whose wife was hunting all
over the country for him while he was
safe and sound up in New York city.
some years ago. He came home al last.
but no one ever knew what kind OF a
tale he spun 10 the wife ana little ones.
I know the facts, because I looked I'D
the case.
"Jchn NJ bad a girl-a pretty Great
ure up IN New York whose attractions
drew him away once in awhile from his
own Preside II came 10 me after he
disappeared hat the woman did not know
he was married but she learned the fact
before he returned the last time. Hav-
ing received a letter from the girl. which
suggested q visit. John told his wife OF
some fancifUI journey be was about 10
take on important business. packed up
his valise and departed for Gotham. Two
or three days passed and the husband
did not return. according TO promise so
the wife marched straight 20 headquarters
10 have him hunted down. She told the
old story Of fears that her husband was
III or had been foully dealt with.
Traced 10 New York.
When the wife had gone the chief
called me into his Office to take the case.
/ listened 10 what the woman said. and
started out. At the start sized up the
situation. because a friend Of her husband
told OF letters he had received. while
others stated that he has been away be-
fore. After awhile / learned at the depot
that he bought a ticket for New York ON
the day Of his disappearance.
There was nothing 10 do but 20 10
New York, so I went. The desert etion Of
John NJ was L my pocket and his pic
ture, as well I left his description at
headquarters and started out myself TO
ma him ! visited hotels and boarding
houses. and even society women, but
could learn nothing about John NJ
or MS girl After hunting up and
went to headquarters. where teIe-
gram awaited me from the chief. giving
the address OF M"'s sirl and her name.
Smallpox in the House.
Il made for the house Of the girl. The
residence appeared closed as ! neared it.
policeman stood in 'front.' Of the door.
He stopped me- and said that smallpox
was within the house. and no enc could
enter or leave / told him was a copper
from Washington. and showed my badge.
and he then consented TO hand q note in
al the door for me From my notebook
/ scrubbed this query.
Is Mr.. NJ in the house, or has he
been there within a Week2'
To the note I signed my own name. and
soon the answer was delivered verbally
by the copper. NJ was not there. He
had left the day the place was closed.
the copper told me.
John VI. Home Again.
With this information / returned TO
headquarters, only to learn that NJ
was not the man who had attempted sui
eide by jumping overheard In Harlem.
These facts I telegraphed to the chief and
was ordered home. l had hardly LEFT the
train here the next day before ] was told