Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-08-30

NM, W0M police have an un-
TkE1NT NH pleasant way of ar
A,:--.S - resting suspicious
characters simply to
cover up their inability to find a clew
otherwise. 1t gives the impression that
they are really doing something to cap
ture the burglar. They are always so
close mouthed, too, that people imag-
Inc they are working diligently on the
track and that the arrested chara cters
form a part OF their deeply laid plan.
But in this case 1 overruled my bet
ter sense and decided to hang around
the scene of my last engagement Just
to satisfy a feeling that l was in some
way to meet again the man who had
so generously shared his spoils with
me. True, he had found himself In
such n position that something had to
be done to buy me Off; but as |
thought afterward, he could easily have
outwitted me and escaped with all the
plumber.
On the following afternoon I dressed
myself in a spare suit OF clothes which
l always keep for an emergency and
wandered out OF the city limits toward
SDN CaN AoohAOhCN LudhNiOu- AS HD-
preached it caught a glimpse OF an
active little man who seemed to be
inspecting the premises with great
concern. Without hesitation 1 put him
down as detective. one of those half
policemen whose shrewdness consists
chiefly in following q trail that is as
clear as daylight.
felt no fear of him, for / knew
that he was not the kind OF man to
capture a professional. / knew that a
bold front would disarm him OF all
suspicion quicker than anything else.
If he caught me sneaking about the
neighborhood, he would very likely ar
rest me.
Passing near the front OF the house
where he seemed busily engaged in
studying the broken shrubbery, ac-
costed him.
us this the house that was robbed
last nightT l asked innocently, look
ing with great curiosity at the place.
"Is it7 Why. who said any house
was robbedT
He gave me a hard stare, which /
returned without seeming bold
The papers are full OF it," j replied.
"And, being out this way, 1 thought
I'd look around a bit and see the
house"
"oh, you did, eh? Well, it isn't
safe place just now for strangers"
, why not? There are no burglars
here now, hope. If there are, I'd
Ike to get a look at 'em."
He seemed to smile inwardly at my
Ignorance.
"Well, nobody is allowed on the
place" he answered rather brusquely.
HAnd so. If you haven't any business
here. you can march on"
But there is no harm looking at
the house from the street, is therer
mo. but the people don't want to be
stared at by every Tom, Dick and Har-
;.ry in the country. so please move on"
] hardly noticed his last remark, so
interested was by the appearance or
two people on the piazza. One was a
beautiful young woman with a figure
and face that would attract attention
anywhere. She walked down the front
steps and turned an instant to speak
to her companion
Bat, handsome as she was, the man
who followed her attracted me more,
and for an instant felt myself grow
ing dizzy. Fortunately for me the de-
tective had turned to greet the young
couple, and he did not see my sudden
CONSERVATION.
never forget faces that have once
particularly noticed. 1t is a part Of
my discipline to remember them. This
one had every reason to remember
very well. Although l had only seen
1t by the aid of my dark lantern at
night, knew instantly that it belonged
to my companion in crime.
He was handsomely dressed, and his
clear cut features gave him an aristo-
cratic appearance that must have been
born in him. A slight pallor of the
face suggested the possibility OF some
inherited disease that lie was unable
to control. AS he walked alongside the
beautiful woman had to think what
noble couple they made Each
seemed made for the other.
well, Mr.. Jenkins, have you any
clew yetr heard him say in his rich
voice as he passed the detective.
"Only a slight one" was the ready
reply. cit IL difficult to find any traces
that may point to anything particular,
but by putting this and that together1
think win be able 10 have a chew be-
fore night"