Newport daily independent., 1903-03-31

dectective department of large city in the North, was entertaining me with few "reminiscences of his past career.
 You ask me, he replied to ques- tion I had put to him, if it is not the case that some person having Anowledga of an unpunished crime often uses the power his knowledge gives him to compel the offender to execute deeds he previously would not have dreamed of. Such may be the case in good many instances, though in my opinion the average criminal has natural propensities which gener- ally enable him to circumvent the intimidator and relieve himself of the threatened danger without incurring further risks. Such propensity is, I think, in the possession of every man, and unless the will-power has been utterly wrecked by dissipation, it is impossible for anyone to be forced against his will into committing an offense against the laws. l recollect case bearing on the subject, which I will give you. As it was purely a family affair, and the persons in- terested were unwilling to create scandal, the facts never became pub lie property.
 About ten years ago man named Grimes returned to M, after serv- ing term for some offense, the nature of which I have forgotten. He was, without exception, the most daring. cunning, and resourceful scoundrel that ever breathed. Orig inally an actor, he was past mas ter in the art of disguises; in fact the time of his downfall dated from the day on which he impersonated the manager of the company he travelled with, and absconded with the treas ury. Somehow, other peoples clothes seemed to have a fascination for him, which naturally created a large amount of ill-feeling on the part of the true owner, and a lot of work for us.
 Soon after his arrival he received letter from gentleman giving the name of Frankison, making an ap- pointment for the following night, and having nothing better to do he called upon him.
 For a time Frankison confined hSs conversation to commonplace mhtters, as though afraid of intro- d,Aing the subject for which the in- feSvirssf had <e~ arranged. Seeing this, sGrimes, who hsd on several oc- casions previously eFaqged on shady jobs by gentlemen eqNysS in position to the one who stooA xNtare him, proceeded to enumerate Some of the most daring cases he had been em- ployed upon, and successfully carried through-when the necessary reward was forthcoming. This had the de- sired effect.
 "I noticed your case in the papers," commenced Frankison, and intended when you came out of your tenn porary confinement to offer you po- sition in which you could not only be swell, but probably settle down in life and become useful member of the community"
 Grimes thanked him, but added that if it was intended to try and reform him it was a hopeless task. He loved the profession too much to settle down into the dull, monotonous round of a respectable existence.
 But this case" returned Franli- son, "offers excitement sufficient for the most daring" Grimes nodded his Satisfaction.
 How would you like to get mar ried?' continued Franllison. Say to lovely girl with an income of about 2,000 yeSr?"
 "Td like that immensely" said Grimes, with grin. But unfortun- ately I have already got two wives living. and it's as much as l can pos siblv do to keep out of their way"
 But this one" replied Frankison, ..will only be too pleased to make you a handsome allowance to leave her"
 "Then what on earth does she want to marry me forl" questioned Grimes.
 Frankison smiled at his astonish- ment. and handed him photo of an exceedingly pretty girl. Grimes held it at arms length for few moments, without speaking.
 Its no use" he said, with sigh; "a young lady so good-loolIing as she will have no difficulty in obtaining lovers eneagh, without having to descend to take orwell, gaolbird, Out with it; suppose you have some iob or other on hand.
 Frankison sat down and swallowed stiff glass of whisky then, after momentary hesitation, commenced to unfold his scheme
 "The young lady whose photo l have just shown you is my cousin From a child she has been of a deli cate nature, and is even now recoy- ering but slowly from the effects ot dangerous illness. This illness, may tell you, was the cause of her wedding being postponed. Now that she is conyalescent, however, her low