The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-10-09
A Plot That ThIckened Until IL 4
Boiled over with Unexpected =
and Disastrous Results. 4
y K T.

O.. 10 consists OF an important
&euexs manner and positive
voice Billy Hartley was a
private detective and business was bad
with him. He had gradually nursed
himself into state OF mind where he
believed that the world did not appre-
cate him. When a man so believes.
the plot invariably begins to thicken
into an ominously fatal sort OF stew.
One day as Billy sat In his room at
the "Grupelli' apartment house, he
peeled the following little sweet po-
tato of thought and threw II into the
simmering saucepan OF his additional
thought:
IL must bring my detective ability
before the public In n way which Will
make marked impression" said he.
He chopped up a logical turnip or
two, and thoughtfully stirred them In.
1.-The public does not bring me its
private cases and so | cannot prove my
worth" he continued. II must there.
fore fix up n case myself. Now there
are q lot OF robberies going on I'm this
nelghborhood, and the police seem help.
less. Why can't whirl In and catch
khese thievesH
Billy Hartley communed with him
self until he began to hate his own
company.
by the Great Guns Of War! have
IT, he finally exclaimed
He wrote the following note:
"Dear Sir-If your representative
will be at the corner OF Broadway and
Eighth street tonight at II o'clock |
will hand him 500 as agreed. He
must have this letter to identify him.
and the signal will be a sneeze."
Billy Hartley sealed this note. ad'
dressed II to himself. and placed ii on
a conspicuous part OF his bureau. on
the envelope he added the words:
"Valuable. In haste"
Billy Hartley tiptoed to the window
and cautiously peered out. "Oh, IL
the burglars would only call here and
find that letter." he murmured implor-
ingly.
Billy Hartley tiptoed TO the door and
listened intently. They'd go for the
500 and then we'd nab them sure,
he continued, in sibilant whisper.
"Why, 1t would make me famous"
Billy Hartley picked mp his hat and
opened the door. lie shook an omin-
Gus finger with warning gesture for
absolute silence and disappeared.
The worlds stage. Up in one of
the boxes sat Dame Fortune intelli.
gently following Hartleys little side
play.
Now I'll just help this worthy young
man." remarked the Dame to. herself
and she settled costly down to see this
thing through.
The worlds n stage. The actors are
ready. The prompter is ut hand. The
stringed instruments in the orchestra
are sbivering out their trembliest mu-
sic and n thrilling detective mystery
rapidly begins TO unfold itself.
II was night. The stars shone bright
Jimmy Short and Gus Simmons, at.
tired in irreproachable evening dress.
wended their devious way up West
Forty y-siXth street. They had an utter
disregard of the fight of the crow.
Their faces were bathed in an eiful-
gent happiness. Their gestures were
of the heroic size. They had all the
enviable appearances OF having dined
20 the tuneful accompaniment of corks
that pop and tlnkling glass.
Occasionally Jimmy was stricken
with convulsion of apopletic merri.
ment. isn't II easy?' he whispered
to his companion at these times.
ITS almost too easy" replied Gus,
wagging his head in Il reflective man.
ner.
The Bacchanalian procession Of two
stopped In front OF the "Grupelli."
They ascended the steps. One of them
lurched inside. The other sat down
on the door step and softly wept as
he unlaced his shoes. A sophisticated
policeman smiled indulgently as he
passed.
But now behold a curious thing! The
method and manner OF the reveler
who had lurched inside suddenly
changed. His jag fell from him even
as mantle. He rapidly entered all the
darkened rooms that were unlocked
and rapidly came out again. In short
time he reappeared ut the street door
and resumed his correct imitation of n
man on bat. He locked arms with
his watching companion on the steps
and. striking up the chaste measure
OF a merry roundelay. they continued
their winding way to Sixth avenue,
where they disappparpd
In the Great Comedy Of Life IL Is
the accepted fact that one man In his
time plays many parts. but IL may
be remarked that things do not be.
come really interesting until some of
the players begin acting two different
parts at one and the same time.
When Billy Hartley returned to the
"Grupelli'' that evening he found tho
place ringing with violent and stinginl
acclamations. II seemed as IL nearly
every room I'm the place had beer
robbed. Orotund oaths pulsated in ant
out like a passionate shuttle In som'
highly speeded rhetorical loom. Curl
Gus curses perforated the peaceful
night and died away In an awed an,
shuddering stiffness.
Up aud down the halls fitted Tia