The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-06-26
CHAPTER XVI.
At POLICE

On the day following the incident
of the black coupe, Superintendent
arnes, the chief Of police, was seated
IN his office. studying a mass Of writ
ten reports that lay before him on the
desk. Evidently what he read was not
to his liking, for his generally smooth
forehead wore a deep frown and now
and then he uttered an exclamation
that showed his anger and disgust.
Inspector Barnes. as he was better
known in the city, looked more like a
prosperous banker than q man who had
spent the principal part Of his life in
investigating the Inducements Of So
ciety. He did not that worn and
worried look we are accustomed to as
soctate with q man who has so much
work Laid out for him. He was none
the less a capable officer. and If his
smile was "chtldlike and bIand,' he
was feared and respected by the law
less world. and justly SO.
Barnes was not In good hurnor on
the morning In question:, and after
he had finished his reading leaned
back in the big chair and pulled for
ia moment on his black cigar, sending
forth such clouds hat he eresenbled q
fat idol surrounded by incense. His
glance fixed on tho ceiling. it only
changed to look now and then with q
scowl at the pile Of papers before him
Suddenly he leaned forward and rang
the bell sharply at his elbow.
The folding doors in the center OF
the room opened and his personal at
tendant appeared.
Send Mac here at once1" he said.
and olled back in his chair again,
smoking more vigorously than ever
and engaged In deep thought. The
attendant bowed himself out and a
moment later the chief Of detectives
entered, and. closing the door behind
HIM, advanced to the desk where his
superior was seated.
He was a small man, looking not
unlike an overworked clerk, quick and
nervous in his movements, with a long
glared from beneath bushy eyebrows.
Want me, Superb" he asked, in a
low voice. Mac" was a man not given
to eloquenoa OF long speeches.
II am thinking that this department
yours, mine. e~verybody's, is in a bad
>state,' said the chief.
"Ah." but the little mans face was
unmoved.
Look at that stack of reports there"
DESK. Mostly made up of the hopeless
attempts to find the fellow who Is at
the head Of the most of the robberies
that have been committed In the city
during the past year. And noe one Of
our people has been able to get even a
clew to his whereabouts. Now, that
fellow must be caught or the depart
ment will stand forever disgraced.
Never since I have been connected with
the force have we been confronted with
SO many failures. Why, If things go on
this way you and I will have to get
out, that's ALL
TIN SURE l wish it was different"
sighed Mac. shifting nervously from
one foot to the other. After all, it
may not be the work of one man.
You know a thief gets a reputation.
and then every other crime Of note is
set down to his credit, or discredtt-
Just like in u w business. We
often get credit in the papers for un-
earthing a criminal when 1t may be.
like as not, entirely the work Of n
of our men,
Inspector Barnes looked at his
companion to see IL there was any
personal ins!nuation intended, but
the little man was busy cycling the
glass case containing criminal curl
osities.
the work q the he same IN man nan why WY
i0Olt W. ESe1tS1A AAS OASS "AS -
guilty?' he said. in q voice Of exas
peration. Z tell you I still believe
there is one behind it all. for these
affairs bear the same stamp. 1t Is, Of
course, possible that some n else has
copied his methods. Whoever he is. he
is a clever man. and we have not heard
of the like since the days OF George
Leonidas Leslie. II I were not sure
that Leslie was very dusty, / should
that he had a hand in these
matters. Now, Mac. why don't you
catch him2"
why, indeed" with a smile. Why
don't I capture a rainbow to make RIB
bons out OF It for my wife? I tell you,
Super. we ere doing all we can. We
have had some men who work for him
IN hand, but though industriously
pumped, they know little more about
Rim than we do. To cell the man a
shadow is wrong, tor he stays as
long ar a shadow In one place. But ]
have an idea.s