The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1904-07-28

tective In possession OF the premises.
What we had SO often joked about
had come to pass. Father was put
under arrest. ITS just for forms
sake" the detective explained. Il
can't serve q process Of law on
bird"
lie told us that his clients were an
aged brother and sister who had lost
some gold and securities. but we
cept that there was no conclusive evi-
dence that the coins boarded by our
Jim were the ones he was after.
There's more than one gold eagle
of II in the world said he grimly.
But knew there could be only one
key IN the world like Jim's key.
brought it out. The detectives hand
closed over it, and thought dc.
tected CLINT Of recognition in his
eye. But he thanked me coolly
enough and turned to father.
We've got to track that Bird said
he. "Where Is he?"
Since he had realized he was in the
clutches of the law, father had stood
around looking at us in dazed way.
but at this he chuckled. lie had tried
tracking Jim himself.
stranger" he said, "if I've got to
stay In jail till you've tracked that
there bird, III stay till kingdom
conc. calculate you amt much ac-
quainted with Jim Crow"
The detective smiled. II reckon It
amt so bad as that" he remarked.
Now, s'pose you amt never
thought Of tyin' a leetle string Of red
flannel onto his leg?"
We had to admit we had never
thought Of that, and went to find our
crow. He was not at home. but that
evening he returned with an irregu-
| lar bit Of paper which proved to be
piece Of United States bond. When
| he set out on his mysterious quest
next day, he wore bright red anklet
and was followed by some twenty
trackers especially engaged for this
secret service.
| And then ensued such chase as
an experienced crook might have led
a band OF thief.catchers. Had II not
been for his lame wing. which obliged
him TO rest at intervals, and impeded
the swiftness OF his flight. the task
would have been hopeless from the
first. The detective now seemed sure
of the direction OF his fight, and he
sent men forward to station them
selves in relays all the way between
there and Portland.
Early the next morning Jim was
on the way again, this time making
no fiippant detours, but skimming
along In line as straight as the pro-
verbal crows flight, as befltted q
bird bent on serious business
Throughout the morning he kept to
his course, in view all the time. until
just before noon he began circling
over a stretch OF forest about nine
miles from the city. then dropped sud.
denly down out Of sight into the
dense mass of foliage. Within half
an hour fifteen men might have been
seen waving their hats like mad.
showing hands. and. in general, be.
having like the successful hackers OF
an election; for a red.nagged crow
was to be seen busily at work in the
crotch Of neighboring tree. A giant
OF hundred feet was that tree, and
the crotch where Mr.. Jim perched
rose a sheer. leafiess distance Of thir-
ty feet from the ground. but the de.
tective was not country reared for
nothing. Before the group had IN.
ished offering their services. he was
shining up like q monkey, and ten
minutes later he was perched on the
limb that forked from the crotch. and
was holding out q handful Of some.
thing that glinted In the sun, while
Jim nuttered around cawing shrilly.