Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-04

IA ~.
$fS7tR ~@:l pleasant way of ar
- ~ 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 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 feeling that / 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 a position that something had to
be done to buy me off; but as I
thought aftcrward. he could easily have
Outwitted me and escaped with all the
plumber.
On the following afternoon 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 ap-
preached it l caught glimpse of an
active little man who seemed to be
inspecting the premises with great
concern. Without hesitation put him
down as a detective. one Of those half
policemen whose shrewdness consists
chiefly in following a trail that is as
clear as daylight
! | felt no fear OF him, for l knew
that he was not the kind of man to
capture professional. knew that n
bold front would disarm him of all
suspicion quicker than anything else.
| If he caught me sneaking about the
ncighborhood he would very likely ar
rest me.
Passing near the front OF the house
where he seemed busly engaged in
studying the broken shrubbery, l &C.
costed him.
els this the house that was robbed
last night" l asked innocently. look
ing with great curiosity at the place.
us it? Why. who said any house
was robbed?"
He gave me hard stare which l
returned without seeming bold.
The papers are full Of it," replied.
"And, being out this way. 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, Id
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 no harm looking at
the house from the street, is there"
"No, 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 I by the appearance o
two people on the piazza. One was 1
beautiful young woman with a fgur
and face that would attract attention
anywhere. She walked down the from
steps and turned an instant to spea,
to her companion.
Bat handsome as she was, the ma,
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 youns
couple and he did not see my suddeI
CONSERVATION.
| never forget faces that have ono,
particularly noticed. 1t is a part o.
my discipline to remember them. Thi
one ! had every reason to remember
very well. Although ! had only scel
1t by the aid Of my dark lantern a
night knew instantly that it belonged
to my companion in crime.
He was handsomely dressed, and hi
, clear cut features gave him an aristo
cratic appearance that must have beef
born in him. A slight pallor of tn,
face suggested the possibility of SOM
inherited disease that he was unable
to control, AS he walked alongside tn,
beau woman had to think wha
noble couple they made. Eacl
seemed made for the other.
"Wcll, Mr.. jenkins, have you an,
Glow yet" heard him say in his ricl
voice as he passed the detective.
, "Only n slight one" was the read,
reply. at is difficult to find any trace
that may point to anything particular
but by putting this and that together
/ think | will be able to have a clew be
fore night"
saw the gentleman smile, and ad
, mired him for his coolness. He evi
, IDENTITY had no more confidence in tn
. detectives shrewdness than |, and h
WAS not counting fear unnecessarily.
+, "lIow smisrt these detectives are
Charles" his COMPANION said in all Sc