Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-06-07


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 consid-
erably. and in a way you wouldn't
us all the bother
Again the girls face. with its deli
cate. tell-tale skin. blanchcd with a
spasm of terror But he did not ap-
pear to notice ii.
And now I 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
Of London end has done time more
than once
AS he said these words. with an ex-
preston of great cunning. Nelrs face.
as easily read as n book. exhibited first
establishment. then relief. and finally
| n 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 n moments pause before
she could collect herself to reply in
tranquil tones:
We'll. I'm sure. my uncle. and all of
US. will be very glad when you've
caught him. VIII you go through this
way:'
And opening the inner door of the
sitting room. she directed him to so
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 a
similar hint to that which he had Civ
en- Nell. he found himself once more on
the road TO StrOan.
lie 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 ut the inn AS
he had no intention of returning to his
hotel until he had made further in
vestigations at Single 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 Bostars house.
taking advantage of every bit of hedge
and tree to keep out of the range of
1 chance observers.
And it was not very long before he
found that come one else was on the
watch also. The figure of a man. in a
| jersey and seaman's boots. with a felt
hat on the back of his head. and n pipe
in his mouth. soon attracted his at.
tention. He recognized the man as
Jem Stickels. frequent customer at
the Blue Lion, and 4 person o. whom
report spoke i'll as 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 Sticl:els 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
on Miss Clariss hand. But as he felt
sure that Nell would try to outwit him
by seeing the lady and preparing her
for his questions. he wanted to wait
until she had started on her journey,
so that he might be with Miss Bostal
when the girl arrived
His expectations were realized to the
letter. He was waiting behind n clump
of bushes not far from the garden-gatc
of Single End. when he caught sight
of the girl coming across the fields al
rapid pace. AS she drew near. he
could hear her painting breath. could
see. even in the waning light of the
December DAY. that she cast anxious
glances round her as she went
When she was within n couple OF
hundred yards of him. she stopped.
with a little scream. as Jem Stickela
suddenly appeared at her side spring.
ing up from the shelter or one of the
numerous dikes with which the marsh
was intersected in all directions
The detective heard the fisherman's
| hoarse. jeering laugh. Then he saw the
| girl dart forward. with the evident in
;ention OF escaping her unwelcome adj
mirer by fieetness of foot.
That's the very movement by which
, she got away from me-" thought the
| detective as he saw the slight figure
| bend suddenly TO the right. avoiding
| the rough touch with which she was
| threatened.
| But Jem Stickels knew with whom
! he had TO ceal Thrustin. his hands
| into his pockets. iic contented himself
| with barring her passage with his per.
son. Ski!lfully battling each attempt she
made to pass him. These attempts on
her side. and the successful move.