Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-06-27
CHAPTER XVI.

On the day following the incident
Of the black coupe, Superintendent
arnes. the chief OF police. was seated
In his ONCE, 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 a
prosperous banker than a man who had
spent the principal part Of his life in
investigating the undercurrents Of So
ciety. He did not wear that worn and
worried look we are accustomed to as
sociate with a man who has so much
work laid out for him. He was none
the less a 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 pulled 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. It 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 oncel" he said,
and lolled back in his chair again,
smoking more vigorously than ever
and engaged In deep thought. The
AktA~1a-% hD L.-
moment later the chief of detectives
entered, and. closing the door behind
him. advanced to the desk wher his
superior was seated.
He was a small man, looking not
unlike an overworked clerk, quick and
nervou in his movements, with O long
pale face and sharp eyes that almost
glared from beneath bushy eyebrows.
Want me. SUPERB" he asked, In q
low voice. Mac was a man not given
to ~eloQuence or long speeches,
Il am thinking that this department
yours, mine. e~verybody'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 n Of
our people has been able to get even a
clew to his whereabouts. Now. that
fellow must be caught or the depart
ment will stand forever disgraced.
Never since I have been connected with
the force have we been confronted with
so many failures. Why, II things go on
this way you and I will have to get
out. that's ALL"
"Im sure 1 wish It was different"
sighed Mac, shifting n~ervously from
one foot to the other. After all, II
may not be the work Of one man.
You know a thief gets a reputation,
and then every other crime OF note is
set down to his credit, or discredit.
Just like In our own business. We
often get credit In the papers for un-
earthing a criminal when 1t nay be,
like as not, entirely the work Of one
of our men,"
Inspector Barnes looked at his
companion to see If there was any
personal in~sinuation intended, but
the little man was busy cycling the
glass case containing criminal curl
osities.
well. II these robberies are not
the work Of the same man, why
guilty?" he said, In a voice Of exas-
peration. Il tell you I still believe
there Is one behind It all, for these
affairs bear the same stamp. 1t Is, Of
course, possible that some one else has
copied his methods. Whoever he Ia, he
Is a clever man, and we have not heard
of the like since the lays of George
Leonidas Leslie. If I were not sure
that Leslie was very dusty, I should
believe that he had a hand in these
matters. Now, Mac, why don't you
catch himT"
why, indeed?' with q smile. why
don't l capture q rainbow to make rib
bons out OF 1t for my wife? I 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 n place. But 1
have an idea"
You are fortunate-so early in the
morning"
TT 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-
haps We have been working In the
wrong direction all along. Well, I can
only urge you to do your best, or we
shall find ourselves disliked by the
press and the public and In general
disrepute."
I'll try a new tack" and the de-
tective brought his teeth together
With a snap. Don't think I haven't
worked hard over this cursed affair.
II worries me quite as much as II
does you." but the chief did not seem
to be listening. was leaning back in
his chair as II half asleep, and the 9TH
er, seeing him so p~reoccupied. took
the opportunity to slip out Of the room.
The closing of the door reused the
chief from his reverie, for he sat up
and looked around as If wondering TO
find himself alone. Just then a timid
tap sounded on the door and the at
tendant entered.
We'll, what do you want?" asked
the chief.
There's a heavy swell outside who
say he thinks he has news of import
ance, bout this last robbery on de
aveny."
"Some other fool-crank, /
to take up my time" growled Barnes;
then. ~settliry back in his Nair. with an