Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-27
CHAPTER II.

"A IN have looted, for the
MN. II. police have an I'M
SS1T NH pleasant way of ar
-. ..../ resting suspicious
characters simply to
cover up their inability to find 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 mag
Inc they are working diligently on the
track and that the arrested characters
form part of their deeply laid plan.
But in this case overruled my bet
ter sense and decided to hang around
the scene of my last engagement just
to satisfy n feeling that | was in some
way to meet again the man who had
SO generously shared his spells with
me. True, he had found himself in
such n position that something had to
be done to buy me off; but, as I
thought afterward, he could easily have
outwitted me and escaped with all the
plumber
On the following afternoon l dressed
myself in n spare suit of clothes which
always keep for an emergency and
wandered out of the city limits toward
the old fashioned mansion. AS 1 ap-
preached it caught glimpse of an
active little man who seemed to be
inspecting the premises with great
concern. Without hesitation put him
down as detective, one of those half
policemen whose shrewdness consists
chiefly in following trail that is as
clear as daylight
l felt no fear of him, for I knew
that he was not the kind of man to
capture a professional. l knew that n
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.
rs this the house that was robbed
last night" l asked innocently, look
ing with great curiosity ut the place.
as it? Why, who said any house
was robbed?"
He gave me hard stare, which I
returned without seeming bold.
''The papers are full of it." replied.
And, being out this way, I thought
I'd look around bit and see the
house."
"Oh, you did. Ell? Well, it isn't
safe place just now for strangers"
"Why not? There are no burglars
here now, l hope. If there are, I'd
like to get look at 'em.'
He seemed TO smile inwardly Mt my
ignorance.
'Well, nobody is allowed on the
place" he answered rather brusquely.
"And SO, If you haven't any business
here, you can march on"
"But there is mo harm looking Mt
the house from the street, is there?"
mo, but the people don't want to be
ry in the country, so please move on"
hardly noticed his last remark. SO
interested was by the appearance Of
two people on the piazza. One was a
beautiful young woman with 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-
tectiye had turned to greet the young
CONSERVATION.
/ never forget faces that have once
particularly noticed. 1t is part of
my discipline to remember them. This
one l had every reason to remember
very well. Although 1 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 he was unable
to control. AS he walked alongside the
beautiful woman l had to think what
noble couple they made. Each
seemed made for the other.
"Well, Mr.. Jenkins, have you any
clew yet?" heard him say in his rict
voice as he passed the detective.
"Only slight one" was the ready
reply. at is difficult to find any traces
that may point to anything particular
but by putting this and that together
think will be able to have clew be
fore night"
saw the gentleman smile, and ad
mired him for his GOODNESS. He eyt
IDENTIFY had no more confidence In the
detectives shrewdness than l, and hi
was not counting fear unnecessarily.
GLOW smart these detectives are
Charles" his companion said in all Sc
robustness. ""They accomplish such won
ders that should think robber would
be in mortal terror of them all thu
Z time"
Eyes, Belle, they are sometimes
shrewd, and again they are not. 1t al
depends upon the man. This Mr.. Jen
kins seems to me like very persisten
and determined person, sort of hu
man hound, but doubt very much /
he has much capacity for solving ,
profound mystery"
"You haven't much confidence in him
then?'
Eyes and no." he answered, shrug
ging his shoulders.
They were walking down the pave
ment toward the gate as they talked
and SO eager was l to hear their word
that l very foolishly exposed myself t
their view.
AS they came around n clump o
shrubbery they suddenly stumbled VI
on me. had just moment in whic
to pull myself together and to doff M
hat.
excuse me, ma'am," l said withou
thinking.
Politeness is a second nature to mt
for / have associated with gentleme
enough to know their ways and hav