Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-12-02
CHAPTER x.
SEYMOUR THE sLEuTH.

SEYMOUR THE SLEUTH,
No word had been received from
Mr.. Bernard Seymour since his de-
parture from ST. Louis, at which
time he requested that $500 he
forwarded to him at New Orr
leans. 1t was a popularity of the
Bernard Seymour kilograms that
they always contained stipulations
for fresh funds. Mr.. Stevens mad a
hearty respect for the Seymour
luck. He overlooked any slight irreg-
ularities in methods, and accordingly
telegraphed the money, and also fun
instructions concerning the search
for the architect and contractor in
charge Of the supposititious Hestor
country house.
No answer came from Mr.. Seymour.
When the staff of reporters arrived
in New Orleans, they learned that
Alf, Seymour had registered at the
81. Charles Hotel. He had cashed
the money order, but had not occu-
pied his room, nor had he been seen
at the hotel since the time of the
financial transaction. The new arriv-
ais made vain search for the miss
ing sleuth, and then went briskly to
work without him.
When Bernard Seymour arrived in
New Orleans, he was, as he expressed
it, much the worse for wear"
When he learned that he had caused
the arrest of a famous Chicago cler-
gyman, instead of L. Sylvester Vim
cent, he lost no time in quitting St.
Louis. He abandoned his baggage at
the Planters Hotel, and took the
first train south.
Seymour arrived in New Orleans
the following evening. He decided
that the ''West End"-the breathing
place Of the Southern metropolis
would be the most congenial place to
begin operations. The "West End"
is a cluster of hotels, fringing the
bathing beaches OH the south shore
of Lake Pontchartrain, and serves as
u more aristrocratic Coney Island to
New Orleans. Mr.. Seymour found it
brilliant with rows of electric lights.
\ score of orchestras and bands were
blending their harmonies with the
murmur Of the pleasure-seeking
throng.
Hello, Seymour"
A heavy set man, with his face
marked by cavernous grin, pushed
his way through Il crowd and slapped
Mr.. Bernard Seymour on the
shoulder.
.'Well, you little ferret, what are
you doing in New Orleans?"
"Sir!"
That's what 1 said-sir! Will you
have drink, sir?"
Eyes, sir. Now understand YOU"
said Mr.. Seymour. swell, you old
Indian, did not know you were
down here. What are you doing?
Who are you doing?"
Nothing and nobody" said Mr..
Dick Bender. Mr.. Bender was news
paper man, whose natural ability was
obscured by habits more congenial
than regular. An excellent writer,
he seldom held a position more than
three months. He was the journals
tic prototype of the tramp printer.
"Up against it, eh?" asked Sey-
mour.
81 surely am up against it good
and hard''
Dick Bender tossed off a big drink,
and grinned as if his hard luck were
something to be contemplated with
joy.
"You don't drink enough, Dick"
said Seymour. "You are a social re-
cluse. Your abstinence has become
matter of common gossip. You
should thaw out once in while and
become mixer"
"Never mind my failings. An
swer me some questions" said Mr.,
Bender, resting his foot on the rail,
and swinging his arm in an easy posi-
ton across the mahogany. sWhat
are you doing in New Orlcans?"
"None of your business"
ne, but not to the point. ]
know what you are doing. You are
on the kidnapped millionaire case"
Some one must have told you. The
witness refuses to commit himself
Will you have another drink?"
They had several. Under their in.
fuence Seymour told Dick Bender
his mission, but was too discreet to
reveal any information which had
been received from New York. He
invited Mr.. Bender to take dinner
with him, and that gentleman was
too polite to refuse.
When Mr.. Seymour awolle the fol
lowing afternoon he was in n narrow
bunk, which seemed to rise and fall
as to the heave Of a ship. He as
cribed this to natural causes ant
went to sleep. When he again awol;,
it was dark. For moment he lay
quiet. To his ears came the splasl