The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-06-26
You are fortunate--so early in the

You are fortunate--so early in the
morning."
1T is this, that the head of these
affairs is not to be found in the under
world, but higher up. For ell we know,
one who passes as a gentleman"
That I 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 dsliked by the
press and the public and in general
disrepute."
"I'll try new tack" and the de-
tective brought his teeth together
with snap. Don't think haven't
Worked hard over this cursed affair.
1t worries me quite as much as 1t
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
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
says he thinks he has news Of import
ance, bout this last robbery on de
aveny."
Some other fool-cranl1, suppose,
to take up my time" growled Barnes;
then. settling back in his chair with an
air of resignation. well, tell him to
come in"
The visitor tripod in gayly, as if
bent on a pleasure mission. He was
"a nay snyy
denia in his lapel His face was smil-
ing, but Barnes in an ill-humor
frowned that down.
You have some infornation-be
brief. Sit down." motioning toward a
chair. The visitor dropped into the
seat.
Inspector Barnes, I believe you are
aware that a man known under the
sobriquet Of VIII O. the Wisp recently
escaped, with others, from the Auburn
prison."
Barnes nodded stif1Hy.
Il have reason to know that he is
still in this city. That he arrived here
few days ago."
Are you sure Of that?" cycling his
visitor keenly. Our men have been
looking for him, but had no news Of
his whereabouts
We'll, you see an amateur some
times can beat a professional"
But how do you know you have seen
the man-do you know him PERSON
allyn
We'll, hardly, not being In the habit
of associating with such people," with
laugh. d
Explain yourself"
II need not go into details-in fact,
prefer not to. This man, it happens,
called on us some time ago. He holds
paper-a document, which, If made
public, would do a great injury to our
family. Now, he could only have got
hold Of this paper through fellow
prisoner--one Martin Frale-to whom it
was confided many years ago."
Il see. Frale was the man who
was killed when a crowd Of them es-
capped from Auburn" and the chief ex-
amined a paper which he drew from
one Of the pigeon-holes above his desk.
This Frale and Will, 1t seems, had
struck up a great friendship in prison.
Frale, learn. saved his life from the
assault Of another man when they
were working in the shoe shop. Since
that time they were like brothers. It's
rather a pity that this Frale was shot;
because, you see, he had but a short
tempted to escape" He replaced the
paper in his desk, and looked to his
visitor as if waiting for him to speak.
by the way, you have not told me
your NAME" as the other maintained
silence.
ITO be sure, forgot that. OF course,
don't want to appear conspicuously in
the matter"
"You need not
my name is Frank Ellison"
"And you think that perhaps this es>
capped prisoner may be the head Of
these recent robberies. The SUPPOSE
ton is not a bad one, for when he was
at large he conducted some pretty clev-
er jobs
He took q memorandum pad from his
desk, and dipped his pen into the ink,
at the same time assuming an atti-
tude of attention.
Nov, then, where Is this place where
our man can be found?"
There are reasons why cannot tell
you as yet" said Ellison.
The chief dropped his pen on the desk
angrily.
"Did you come here to have fun with
the Department."
Nothing of the kind" And the Wis
itor looked anxiously toward the door.
Then explain yourself, and briefly"
II must arrange meeting with this
man-if I cam"
What for?" snapped Barnes.
1T must be part of our bargain. I
first of all wish to secure possession of
this document. It would injure us If
this fellow should be arrested and that
paper in his hands. He would make it
public, and that would be poor re-
ward for what I intend to do
(Continued Next Weekly