The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-07-16
BY ROBERT BARR.
W.-1he Explosion IN lhe Treasury.
Copyright, 1000, by Robert Barr.l
(Continued.j

This was done, ana when the chleI
had answered Jennie introduced herself
to him.
81 am Miss Baxter, whom you were
kind enough to escort through the
treasury building this afternoon"
"Oh, yesl" replied the chief. II
Thought we were to postpone further
inquiry until tomorrow.
eyes such was the arrangement, but
l wanted to say that If my plans are
interfered with, IL am kept under sur
veillance, shall be compelled to with
draw from the search. r"
A few moments elapsed before the
chief replied, and then 1t was with
some hesitation.
81 should be distressed to have you
withdraw: but, If you wish to do so,
that must be matter entirely for your
own consideration. have my duty to
perform, and must carry 1t out to the
best Of my poor ability"
"Quite SO. I am obliged to you
for speaking SO plainly. l rather sur
missed this afternoon that you looked
upon my help in the light Of an inter
ference
II should not have used the word
interference, " continued the chief,
"but I must confess that l never knew
results to follow amateur efforts which
could not have been reached much more
speedily and effectually by the regular
force under my command
"Well, the regular force under your
command has been at work several
weeks and has apparently not accom-
plished very much. I have devoted part
of an afternoon and evening to the
matter, SO before I withdraw would
like to give you some interesting infor-
nation, which you may impart to the
government, and I am quite willing
that you should take all the credit for
the discovery, as have no wish to ap-
pear in any way as your competitor.
Can you hear me distinctlyF'
Perfectly, madame" replied the
chief.
"Then, in the first place, inform the
government that there has been no rob-
berry,"
"No roboeryi What an absurd state
ment, If you will excuse me for speak
ing SO abruptly Where is the gold II
there was no robbery"
II am coming to that. Next inform
the government that Its loss will be
but trifing. That heap Of debris which
you propose to cart away contains
practically the whole Of the missing
900, 900, 900 forms. More than one
third Of the heap is pure gold. If you
want to do favor to good friend Of
yours and at the same time confer
benefit upon the government itself, you
will advise the government to secure
the services Of Herr Feltz, so that the
gold may be extracted from the rubbish
with the least possible loss. put in a
word for Herr Feltz because am con-
WINGED he Is a most competent man.
Tonight his action saved you from dis
missal tomorrow; therefore you should
be grateful to him. And now l have
the honor to wish you good night.
"Wait-wait moment" came In
beseeching tones through the telephone.
"My dear young lady, pray pardon any
fault you have to find with me and re-
main for moment or two longer. Who
then, caused the explosion, and what
was its object7"
"That must leave for you to find
out, Herr Director. You see, am Civ
ing you the results Of merely few
hours inquiry, and you cannot expect
me to discover everything in that time
I don't know how the explosion was
caused; neither do / know who the
criminals were. 1t would probably take
me all day tomorrow to find that out,
but as l am leaving the discovery In
such competent hands as yours l must
curb my impatience until you send me
full particulars. So, once again. good
night, Herr Director.
"No, mol Don't go yet. shall come
at once to the station, If you will DO
kind enough to stop there until I ar
rive"
"The Princess Won Steinheimer Is
waiting for me in her carriage outside,
and I do not wish to delay her any
longer"
"Then let me implore you not to give
up your researches. .
"Whyf Amateur efforts are so futile,
you know, when compared with the ef-
forts Of the regular force"
"Oh, my dear young lady, you mus:
pardon an old man for what he said In
thoughtless moment If you knew
how many useless amateurs NEEDLE In
our very difficult business you would
excuse me- Are you quite convinced Of
what you have told me-that the gold
is in the rubbish heapf'
Perfectly. will leave for you at
the office here the analysis made by
Herr Feltz, and If l can assist you fur
ther ii must be on the distinct under
standing that you are not again to in
terfere with whatever may do. Your
conduct In going to Herr Feltz tonight
after you had left me and commanding
him not to give me any information /