Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-06-25
CHAPTER XVI.


AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
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
prosperous banker than a man who had
Investigating the undercurrents of So
ciety He did not wear that worn and
worried look we are accustomed to as
sociate with man who has so much
work laid out for him. He was none
the less capable officer, and If his
smile was "childlike and bland" he
was feared and respected by the law
less world, and justly SO.
Barnes was not in good humor on
the morning in question, and after
he had finished his reading leaned
back in the big chair and puffed for
a moment on his black cigar, sending
forth such clouds that he resembled a
fat idol surrounded by incense His
glance fixed on the ceiling. 1T only
changed to look now and then with a
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 once!" he said
and lolled back in his chair again.
smoking more vigorously than ever
and engaged in deep thought, The
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
pale face and sharp eyes that almost
glared from beneath bushy eyebrows.
Want me, Superb" he asked, in a
low voice. Mac" was a man.not given
to eloquence or long speeches.
II am thinking that this department
yours, mine, everybody's, is in a bad
state" said the chief.
"Ah,' but the little mans face was
unmoved.
Look at that stack of reports there"
exclaimed the other, pointing to his
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 not one OF
our people has been able to get even q
clew to his whereabouts. Now, that
fellow must be caught or the depart
ment will stand forever dispraced
Never since have been connected with
the force have we been confronted with
so many failures. Why, IL things go on
this way you and l Will have to get
out, that's ALL"
TIN sure / wish 1T was different. /"
sighed Mac, shifting nervously from
one foot to the other after all, 1t
may not be the work of one man.
You know thief gets a reputation,
and then every other crime OF note Ia
set down to his credit, or discredit.
Just like in our own business. We
often get credit In the papers for UNI
earthing criminal when 1t may be,
like as not, entirely the work of one
of our men,"
Inspector Barnes looked at his
companion to see il there was any
personal insinuation intended, but
the little man was busy cycling the
glass case containing criminal curl
osities
We'll, If these robberies are not
the work of the same man, why
don't you catch the ones who are
guilty. he said, In q voice Of exas-
peration II tell you l still believe
there is one behind it all, for these
course, possible that some one else has
copied his methods. Whoever he is, he
is a clever mani and we have not heard
of the like since the days of George
Leonidas Leslie. If / were not sure
that Leslie was very dusty. should
believe that he had hand in these
matters Now, Mac, why don't you
catch him."
why, indeed?" with smile. why
/ don't l capture q rainbow to make rib
bons out of 1t for my wife? / tell you
Super, we are doing all we can. We
have had some men who work for him
| in hand but, though industriously
pumped, they know little more about
him than we do. To call the man "a
shadow is wrong, for he never stays as
long as a shadow in one place. But
| have an idea"
You are fortunate-so early in the
morning."
ut is this, that the head of these
affairs is not to be found in the under
world, but higher up. For all we know
one who passes as a gentleman"
THAT 1 have thought of myself
said the chief, thoughtfully. Per
| maps we nave been working in the
wrong direction all along. Well, l can
only urge you to do your best, or we
shall find ourselves disliked by the
press and the public and in general
disreputc.'
I'm try new tack" and the de-
| tective brought his teeth together
with snap. Don't think I haven't
worked hard over this cursed affair
1t worries me quite as much as i,
does YOU" but the chief did not seem
to be listening, was leaning back In
his chair as if half asleep, and the 9TH
| er, seeing him so preoccupied. took
| the opportunity to slip out of the room
The closing of the door reused the
| chief from his reverie, for he sat ur
and looked around as if wondering to
| find himself alone. Just then a tirnid
| tap sounded on the door and the at.
| tendant entered.
| We'll, what do you want?" asked
| the chief
There's heavy swell outside who
says he thinks he has news of import
ance, bout this last robbery on de
| aveny."
Some other fool-crank, I suppose,
to take up my time" growled Barnes;
then. settliry back in his laair. with an