Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-06
HOW FLANDERS < KEPT HIS JOB
 
 By MAMMALIAN FOSTER fCcpWlaht. 1905. by American Press Association
CoDrlsht. 1905. by American Press Association Q eCsCsCsCscecCe0oOs0oOsCeC

F-% 1EHIND the baize covered portal R that screens the penetralia of the secret service, Tower, the k chief genius of it's mysteries, qbnfronted an occasion obviously an- noyinE. Wrath hung out a brick red danger signal upon his face; his scorn was loud, and Flanders, the victim, writhed, miserably certain that every scho of these impressive opinions was audible to the listeners outside. Like all in authority, the chief was ready to Unfit the blame, and Flanders, it ap- 'beared, was the most logical candidate for he had been the last to fail in the matter at issue. Through some un- Toward blunder the quarry had slipped Through the departments fingers, and For this reason heads were being rapped wherever they appeared In vain Flan- ders protested, mildly at first and then with shrill iteration.
 "But tell you," he cried, 'it ain't me to blame! I tell you that now, Hat. Those rubber soles from the railroad done it. There's that Piercy at the head CT them-why, he ain't wuth the Eat to fry doughnut in. much less to go sleuthin' after big un like Doc Bundle. Why
 The chief, with gesture of disdaih, eut him short. That's all right, FIan- lers. You're pretty forward with your excuses. but you can't dodge me. Piercy is blaming us. Leastways he pays you're to blame"
 .'Why, the-the'- Flanders usually Expressive speech failed him at this uncture, though his mind worked busi- y for some blood curdling expression 10 suit his opinion of the railroad de- ective. ''I'll fix him fair when I see bim!'' he cried. sI'll knock his'
 "Yon'll do nothing of the sort,'' the thief corrected. "I'll have no men rom this office mixing up over there. Do you know him at all ?"
 "Him-Piercy? No I don't travel Nth that kind CT cattle. Why, look shere, chief; that feller went down to. Aed City. where Doc Burdle hangs y2t, like as if 1t was with brass band, yin he was there to land his man or ust. Why, he might just as we'll have ried to flag comet with a crossin' lag. Dust! Did Bundle dust? Why, he went out CT that like 2:4O on a down trade! You betcher that town ain't BOin' to let Doc get took without a run or their money. Why. they're all fin ter in fist together, the whole bloomin' amlety'
 Seed City was in the heart of the outhwestern moonshine district and vas notorious in the annals of the Arvice. It was midway on the Alta and Pekan railroad, spur that ran uthward from the main line. A ionth before a gang of train robbers ad held up the western mail, dyna- pited the express and postal cars and scaped unmolested with their booty.
 dozen detectives had gone on the rail, Flanders the last of all. His in- esdgation virtually assured him that surdle. a notorious outlaw, was the eader of the band, but before he could nake certain and lay his man by the eels Pierey had arrived at Seed City D the nick of time, it seemed, to kick he props out from under Flanders rap. But even this explanation failed satisfy the chief.
 Tower leaned over to his desk and rev out newspaper clipping, a scrap rom the San Inferno Argus. a sheet Fith a neighborly interest for Seed ity. .sYou read that now, Flanders" be chief exclaimed That's why ou've got to land that fellow
 Flanders read, his anger rising at very line. The clipping was an anon nous letter from Seed City warning Il detectives. investigators and off, ials on similar errands to steer clear the place under a penalty of harge of buckshot "rattled ag'in their Ebs.''
 'That's Doc Burdle for fairT' snapped Flanders.
 ''Then you go after him,'' the chief aid calmly. .sYou get him or we say Eoodby. Is it goodby, Flanders?''
 The three men outside grinned when flanders came into view. "Goin' to Iced City, Hank?" cried one
 You'd better put on a b'iler plate lest afore you go. They're jes' layin' or party from this department"
 Flanders laughed scornfully as ever. I'll take my chance, guess. But i've you the tip I'd feel better fixed if could land on that chap Piercy, Pm iled I am."
 There are four trains daily on the ltamo and Pekan railroad, two in the morning, two in the afternoon. A esultory freight sometimes piles up nd down the line, but usually the reight cars are linked on ahead of he passenger coaches. The second lay after Flanders left the department flee it carried a free passenger astride be buffers forward. Piercy, the road etectfve, was sprawling on the express hest in the blind baggage when the onductor looked in with demand for lis services. The train wat just draw hg into San Inferno. There was an un- uly passenger in the smoker. and he bust be put off, the conductor said. It's hobo. He started on the buffers n' come into the car at the last stop. bot a ticket that's no good; ran out fore the flood. An he offered to make hao look like the daV after the night