Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-09
CHAPTER INTRODUCES AMBLER
JErONS

seriousiyf' ] observed. 4 tribe annoy CO.
Why should ] ?' asked my friend AM
bier Jevons. with deep pull ut his we'll
colcrcd briar What you've told me
shows quite plainly that YOU have in the
first place viewed one little circumstance
with suspicion, then brooded over 1t until
Il has become r1aeniicd and now occupies
your whole mind. Take my advice. old
chap. and think nothing more about 1t.
Why should you make yourself miserable
fer no earthly reason? You're rising
man-hard up like most Of us-but under
old Eyton's wing you've got brilliant
future before you. Unlike myself mere
nobody. strurElirg against the tide OF ad-
versity-you'rc already long way up the
medical ladder If you climb straight
yoiI cnl with an appointment of Physi-
rl.ronn in as makewcight. Old Macalister
AZ. TO lrophcsy IT, you remember. when
we were Up at Edinburgh. Therefore. L
can't for the life Of me discover any
cause why you should allow yourself to
have these touchess of the blues-unless
about which you know a lot more than /
90 Why. man. you've got the whole
world before you, and as for Ethel
wynn
.Ethylwynn." / CALCULATED, starting up
from my chair. Leave her out of the
question, We need not discuss her." And
] walked to the mantelshelf to light
fresh cigarette.
LAS you wish. my dear fellow said my
merry. easy-goins friend. q merely wish
20 point out the utter folly of all this sus-
plcion.'
Il didn't suggest that Then. after ii
pause, during which he smoked on visor-
Gusly. he suddenly asked. We'll. now.
be frank. Ralph. whom do you really
;auspect?'
was silent. Truth to tell. his ques-
ton entirely nonplussed me. I had sus-
Incons-distinct suspicious that certain
persons surrounding me were acting In
accord towards some sinister end, but
which of those persons were capable !
certainly could not determine. II was
that very circumstance which was puz-
cling me TO the point OF distra ction.
'-Aht" l replied. That's the worst OF
H. / know that the whole affair seems
quito absurd. but / must admit that
can't fix suspicion upon any one in par
;icular.
Jcvong laughed outright.
In that case. my dear Boyd, you ought
really to see the folly of the thing
Perhaps l ought to- but | don't" !
answered. facing him with my back to
the fire. TO YOU. my most intimate
friend. I've explained in strictest conf
dence the matter which is puzzling me-
I live IN hourly dread Of some catastrophe
the nature Of which I'm utterly at a loss
u determine Can you define intuition?'.
My question held him in pensive silence
His manner changed as he looked me
straight in the face. Unlike his usua.
careless self. for his was a curious char
Rcter Of the semi Bohemian order and
Savage Club type, be grew serious and
thoughtful, regarding me with critical
gaze after removing his pipe from his
lips.
Well" he exclaimed at last, Il will
len you what il is, Boyd This intuition
or whatever else you may call 1t, is ar
internally bad thing for you. I'm your
;riend-one of your best and most devoted
friends, old chap-and If there's anything
in il IL render YOU whatever help cam
Thank YOU, Amber" said gratefully
taking his hand. ~ have told You all
'his tonight in order TO enlist your SYM
rathy. although scarcely liked to ask
ycur aid Your life is a busy one-husier
even than my own. perhaps-and you
Rave no desire TO be bothered with my
personal affairs"
On the contrary. old fellow" he said
remember that III my mystery I'm ir
my clement
Il know" ] replied. But at present
there is no mvstery-only suspicion"
What amber Jevons had asserted was
fact. He was an investigator of mystic
lies. making il his hobby just as other
men take to collecting curios or pictures
About his personal appearance was no.
thing very rkable. When preoccu-
l'ied he had an abrupt, rather brusuue
manner, but at all other times he was .
merry easy-going man Of the world pos
SCISSOR OF an ample income left him by
his aunt, and this he augmented by carry
Ing on. in partnership with an older man
profitable tea blending business in
Mark Lane.
He had entered the tea trade not be-
cause of necessity. but because he con.
Bidered ii bad thing for a man to lead
an idea life. Nevertheless the chief OBJ
sect OF his existence had always seemed
10 be the unravelling OF mysteries of pc
lice and crime Surely few men, even
those professional investigators at Scot
land Yard. held such a record of sue
cesses. He was a born detective with a
Keen scent for clues. an ingenuity that
was marvellous. and patience and en-
6urance that was inexhaustible, AT Scot
land Yard the name of Amber Jevons
has for several years been SYNONYMOUS
with ell that is clever and astute il,
the art of detecting crime
To be good criminal Investigator
man must be born such He must be
physically strong: he must be untirins il,
his search after truth; he must be able
to scent mystery a hound does a fox
20 follow up the trail with energy unf!ag-
ginS and seize opportunities without hest
taton. he must possess a cool presence
Of mind and above all be able to calmly
distinguish the facts which are OF import
Rnce in the Strengthening OF the clue
from those that are merely superfiuous
All these. besides other qualities are
necessary for the successful penetration
Of criminal mysteries: hence It is that the
average amateur. who takes up the hobby
without any natural instinct. Is invaria-
bly, a biunderer
Amber Jevons. blender of teas and in
vcs'ieator Of mysteries was lollnr hack
IN my arm chair. his dreamy ewes half
closed, smoking on in silence
Myself. | was 80. and ! fear not much
81 an ornament 10 the medical profession
True. a; Edinburgh had taken my n =
md c. NJ. with highest honors and ,brea
ears later had graduated NJ d h,t M,
friends thought good deal more NJ NV,
fuccess than ! did for ,bay o,...,,.,.