The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-10

the llcredSluS EaIIl, NulCu SuSSesleo
hurry. He had gone astray in the two
paths that ran through the field.
l offered my best apologies to Mr..
Kelvin, but he refused to be satisfied.
He berated US all, and the last words
that heard from him as he burst out
of the door were these, addressed to
the unfortunate Reedy:
"I'll teach you to call me an old jail
birdr'
"lil be hanged if he doesn't look like
one" said the detective after Kelvin
had gone, "and as for false arrest, for
get it. He was trespassing on your
property, and had right to ask him
what he was up to-"
may add that this view Of the case
seemed to be sustained by kelTin's
lawyers, whom he consulted on the fol-
lowing day.
But meanwhile what haG become Of
Donald's burglar? 1t was a mystery
which did not solve itself that night,
and 1 have rarely seen a human crea-
ture so distressed as my poor boy was.
He derived no comfort from the
thought that all the mistakes, so far as
we might venture to decide, were
Reedy's. Mr.. Kelvin really did not an
swer fully to Donald's description.
Certainly he was not Scotch Davy,
with whom, according to our detective,
the description tailed exactly.
"Any other man in my place would
have done the same thing" said Reedy.
THAT feller looks enough like Scotch
Dary to be ringer for him anywhere"
He was perfectly satisfied with him
self, and he had the true detectives
power of being satisfied with his en-
ployer and undisturbed by any error or
sin of the latter. 1t was Reedy's hon
est boast that he never forgot whose
money he was taking and that he was
strictly on the level.
Don't you worry" said he to Don
aid "This man Kelvin can't do any
thing. If we all tell the same story,
where'll he be? He's got no witnesses.
Besides, know him, now that come
to think Of it. He's old Sam Kelvin,
the trust magnate. He'd be all right
in civil suit for a million dollars, but
in a little case like this that would
have to be tried before a jury Of farm
ers that sort cf a feller wouldn't stand
as much show as one chicken among
twelve colored gentlemen"
I've met his daughter socially" said
Donald in a weak voice. shes been
visiting some people in Cambridge
She's very nice girl"
It was obvious that the hand Of ca
lamity had arranged the pieces or ouf
little chessboard. However, there was
nothing that could be done about it
Donald and I went home, where we
had considerable trouble in evading
questions, and Reedy remained on
guard, being still convinced that a real
robber was coming. He did not appear
that night, however, nor the next
which was Friday, but on Saturday
about noon Reedy came swiftly lntd
my Office and tapped me on the shoul
der.
Our mans in town for sure" he
whispered. There's no mistake this
time. He amt Scotch Davy, though
I don't know him."
I sent a man running after Donald
who had been with me a few minutes
before. The boy came back ahead OF
the messenger, however, and he looked
very much excited
owe seen him." said he. You kno"
whom I mean. He's down by the sta
ton"
What shall we do?" said I.
Reedy expressed a general conviction
that everything was all right. 1t was
a somewhat long winded opinion, and
while he was in the midst of it the
door was pushed open, and a pale
hard featured, smooth shaven man en-
tered the room. He was clothed in i
reddish brown suit, with an invisible
check" He produced upon US very
much the effect of a ghost. For my
own part l found myself with my
shoulders planted squarely against the
farthest wall.
"Good morning, Mr.. Harrington" !"
said the intruder. "What seems to be
the matter?"
'You?" I cried. you? Why, what's
happened? Where where's your
beard"
Mr.. William Hackett grinned in q
melancholy fashion and passed his
hand over his chin and then stroked
the hair which had grown gray over
his ears in the few months since had
seen him.
I've been very SICK" said he. 81
wrote you about it."
But you didn't say you'd shaved"
"Well," he cried, flushing angrily,
what if have shaved? Whose whisk-
ers were they, I'd like to know? Do I
have to ask you every time use
razor?'
II beg you pardon, William" said I.
w e law ItlU ILL CAI4 OOA O4As&3y N-ApS
rience which I will describe to you
presently"
He heard the story with interest and
wonder, and as told it began to see
the full value Of the psychic phenome-
non involved. Every item Of Donald's
information had been absolutely cor
rect. 1t was only through error in the
Interpretation that any difficulty had
arisen. No additional explanation
could be eXtorted from Donald. AL
most his only contribution to the con.
versation was the gloomy and oft re-
peatcd prayer:
please don't say anything about it,
Mr. Hackett."
Finally We veered around to the sub
ject Of business, and Hackett produced
the documents necessary to the trans
fer. Donaldson and Archer were sum-
moned, and opened the safe, produc-
ing the two packages and my check
book. Then came the real surprise Of