The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-08-21

ap,TAn H16ays RsseRVgp1
found the driver whom he had engaged
by telegraph, and handed him ms
check. For greater dispatch IN se,tlls
away he went to point out his pas.
gage. AS he approached the door ..
the disgerging baggage car ne penelu
that which well-nigh made him ols-
trust his eyesight. A stalwartt abman
was bearing away on his shoulder ms
trunk-yes, his own trunk, with us
familiar canvas cover and the Initials
u. r." in black upon the end. Natur-
ally it was a spectacle not to be pas
sively endured.
Hi, you! that's my trunk" he
shouted, starting after the
GO along, don't mind him. he's
crazy energetically whispered Red
Mustache, who seemed to be cabby,s
guiding spirit. Come, I'm in a hurry!
And, despite Graybeard's vigorous
renlonstrances, he driver put the
trunk upon the rack of his carriage
and. with red-mustache inside the
vehicle, drove rapidly awag.
'Follow that robert" ordered Gray
beard, in a voice trembling from m
%dignation and excitement. Keep him
in sight. don't let him get away" and
he bundled himself hurriedly into the
cab thai had been awaiting him.
Meantime Sm%ooth-face had been
lowering about on the stage of the
scene. He. too, had secured the SER
vices Of a hack driver, for whose vehi-
Gle he now made a sudden bolt.
Drive along after that old chap"
he directed, meaning Graybeard.
Don't let him out Of your sight on n
account"
Red mustache al taken to a WASH
ington street hotel and lac the can
vas covered trunk quickly conveyed
to a room which he had engaged by
wire. Grayberad's carriage, owing to
the trattic-filled street, was kept at
some distane behind that of Red-mus-
tache, but his driver, a WideaWake
young fellow, under the stimulus of a
heavy bonus offered, did not once lose
his quarry from view.
AS soon as Red-mustache had the
trunk safe in his room he ocked the
door and set about unlocking the
trunk. That is to say, he took from his
pocket a bunch of keys and tried all
the likely ones on the trunk lock. 1t
was a patent lock of the best make,
and none of his keys would even be-
gin to fit it. He decided to nave in a
~locksmith, and accordingly pressed the
button to call a servant. When, after
a few moments later, he opened the
door to admit the boy, another person
came in also. 1t was G~raybeard,
breathless and indignant.
"What-do you-mean by-making
off with-my property in this-unwar-
rantable manner?" he asked.
Keep your hair on, my friend" adj
vised Red-mustache, with a breeziness
intended to be refreshing, but not
proving SO to the eIasperated middle
aged gentleman by whom he was con-
fronted. Il don't want your property;
I'm after something that doesn't be-
long to you at ALL
"Then why search for it in my
trunk?" was the not unnatural query,
Simply because it happens to be
there" retorted Red-mustache. "Dc
you mean to deny that there is, in the
bottom Of that trunk a package of-ot
papers that doesn't belong to you"
Before Graybeard, who looked con-
siderably astonished at his question
could make m reply, a third person
quietly and unassumingly sided into
the room, closed the loo behind him
and, turning the key, withdrew it from
the lock and put it into his pocket.
Mr.. Jonas Ralston," said Smooth-face
IT should like the favor Of a few words
with you"
Gas you seem to think you are ad.
stiff1y, II will inform you that my name
Is James Ridley
UNI! ah! I am willing to waive dis
cussion on that point for the present.
said Smooth-face. suavely; "but, whatever
your name may be. will you be SO good a.
to open your trunk and let me look at Its
contents?"
mo, sir. I will not do anything Of the
kind" exclaimed G~raybeard, with as neal
an approach to violence as was possible
in so mild a man. II fail to understand
why I should be interested with and de
laYed in this unlawful manner 1t is near
ly half-past 6, and I have to get to the
North Station in time for the I O'CLOCK
train"
Yes. 1 know the I p. m. train for Port
land, st. John and Halifax" murmuret
smooth-face, with q certain significance
but you don't start for Canada tonight
you see, MI. Jonas Ralston,'' he added
quietly.
James Ridley, if you please" contra
dicted G%raybeard. "Am I to infer from
your tone and manner" he asked, "tha
you are a-an officer Of the law?"
"Well, you certainly might guess wide
Of the mark than that"
"Ahl and I gather from your high
handed behavior that you take me for on,
Jonas Ralston."
81 should hope I didn't take you for TIVE
Of him." retorted the detective, humor
ously. zone Of that particular brand i
about enough to have lying around loos'
at once-in my opinion"
II perceive I must be at some troubl,
to disabuse you of you strange error,
said Graybeard, forcing himself to ap
pear calm. ITO prove that I am no
Jonas Ralston; there is my card, sir"
Smooth-face accepted the bit Of paste
board and, glancing at it with an air o
politely feigned interest, read aloud:
James Ridley, A. M, Wishewash,
University"
Then, handing the card back, he re
marked, as if apropos OF nothing in par
ticular:
"one dollar for the plate and about 5
cents per hundred for printing; UNI!
luxury within the reach Of almost an.
purse
You don't believe me-" exclaimed
Graybeard, wiping his hot forehead
Here, look at these and he drew from
his pocket a number Of old letters, all O
which were addressed to "Professo.
James Ridley"
n detective seemed a tri1e shaken a,
to the identity of thesrnan, but he was b,
no means satisfied yet.
"OFen your trunk and sfet US have {
look into that" he saids
s~gGraybeard gathered@t1e few remain
ing shreds of his patieKcef4and submitted
to this command. Tie trunk was un
locked and it's lid turned back. While tn,