Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-03

| "HE next morning my duty led
| p me directly in the way Of that
| III little friend of mine whom 1
have already mentioned. 1t is
strange how often my duty did lead
ME In her way.
| She is demure little creature. with
wits as bright as her eyes, which is
saying u great deal. and, while in the
course of our long friendship had adj
mired without making use of the spe-
| cial abilities | saw in her, / felt that
the time had now come when they
might prove of inestimable value to
me.
| Greeting her with pardonable abrupt
ness. | expressed my wishes in these
possibly alarming words:
| jimmy, you can do something for me.
Find out know you can. and that.
too, without arousing suspicion or con.
promising either Of US - where Mr.
Moore of Waveriey avenue buys his
groceries, and, when you have done
that, whether or not he bus lately re-
supplied himself with candles"
| The surprise which she showed had
| touch of naivete in 1t which was very
encouraging.
"Mr. Moore she cried, "the uncle
Of her who-who'-
1.-THE very same" responded and
waited for her questions without add
| ing a single word in way Of explana-
| ton.
hot n
It was as encouraging to the detective
as it was welcome to the lover, after
which she nodded. once In doubt, once
| in question and once in frank and
laughing consent, and darted of.
thanked Providence for such self
contained little abide scamp and pro-
ceeded on my way in state OF great
self satisfaction.
! An hour later came upon her again.
1t is really extraordinary how frequent
| " the paths of some people cross.
"Welly' I asked.
'Mr. Moore deals with Simpkins,
Just two blocks away from his house.
and only week ago he bought some
candles there"
I rewarded her with smile which
summoned into view the most exasper-
ating of dimples.
"You had better patronize Simpkins
yourself for little WHILE" suggest
ed, ana by the arch glance with which
my words were received / perceived
that my meaning was fully understood.
Experiencing from this moment an
| increased confidence, not only in the
powers OF my little friend, but in the
line Of investigation thus happily eS-
tablished, | cast about for means Of
settling the one great question which
was necessary preliminary to all fu-
ture action-whether the marks de-
tected by me in the dust Of the mantel
! in the southwest chamber had been
made by the hand Of him who had late
~ felt the need Of candles. albeit his
house appeared to be fully lighted by
gas?
The point aimed at was this: To OBJ
tain without Mr. Moore's knowledge
an accurate impression Of his finger
tips.
The task presented difficulties, but
these served only to increase my ardor.
Confiding to the lieutenant OF the
precinct my great interest in the mys-
terious house with whose suggestive
interior had made myself acquainted
under such tragic circumstances, ask
ed him as personal favor to obtain
for me an opportunity of spending an
other night there He was evidently
surprised by the request, and being, as
/ have intimated, favorably disposed
to me, he exerted himself to such good
effect that I was formally detailed to
assist in keeping watch over the prem
Uses that very night.
As prepared to enter the old house
at nightfall allowed myself one short
glance across the way to see il my APP
proach had been observed by the man
whose secret, If secret he had, l was
laying plans to surprise. was met by
sight had not expected. Pausing on
the pavement in front Of me stood a
handsome, elderly gentleman whose
appearance was SO fashionable and
thoroughly up to date that | should
have failed to recognize him ii my
glance had not taken in at the same
instant the figure Of Ridge crouching
obstinately on the edge Of the curb.
where he had evidently posted himself
in distinct refusal to come any farther.
In vain his master, for the we'll dressed
man before me was no less parsonage
than the whilom butt Of all the boys
between the capitol and the treasury
building, signaled and commanded him
to cross to his side Nothing could in
duce the mastiff to bulge from that
quarter Of the street where he felt him
sell safe.
Mr.. Moore. giorying In the prospect
Of unlimited wealth. presented star
ting contrast in more ways than one
to the poverty stricken old man whose
curious garb and lonely habits had
made him an object of ridicule to half
the town / own that l was half
amused and half awed by the conde-
scending bow with which he greeted
my offhand nod and the affable way in
which he remarked:
You are making use of your prerog-
atives as q member Of the police,
see''
The words came as easily from his
q h s.,v ftNA In of IN