Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-01-28
4 RANDOM SHOT
[Original.1

ans hand, barney ReQnelu, WHO Iou-
bed the til National bank Of Denver,
will be at No. - R avenue tonight"
l had never seen Redfield or his pic
ture and knew nothing about him ex-
cept that there was a reward OF $5,OOo
offered for his capture. l knew moth
ing of the house in R avenue. All
could do was to go there and be guided
by circumstances.
| found the house brilliantly lighted
and guests entering under an awning.
| walked in with the rest. Though /
was not in evening dress had on an
overcoat. so this did not matter for tn"
entrance. was shown up to the gen.
tlemen's dressing room. where l re
NAMED without taking off my oyercoat
till the others had gone down. Then
resolved to look about me for apparel
suitable to the occasion. Going to the
floor above, which was deserted, | ran
sacked closets and drawers, finding
nothing till l came to a room in which
dress suit, shirt, collar, cuffs and a
pair Of black silk stockings were spread
out on the bed. while a pair Of low
shoes were on the floor. Evidently
some one was expected for whom they
had been made ready. put them on
and went downstairs.
I ran q great risk. for, though could
prove was a detective. had actually
stolen a suit of/clothes and was prom
enading in them, it would be inferred,
to steal other things. Going down a
winding staircase and seeing the host
and hostess receiving guests in the
drawing room, ! turned into the IL
brary. I strolled about, keeping an eye
on every one l met. but saw no inkling
to lead me on. A young lady who prov
ed to be the daughter Of the host sat
for a long while in window seat with
a handsome young fellow with a very
restless eye, but plenty Of people have
restless eyes. and Barney Redfield
would be more likely to spend his time
looking for jewelry or silverware than
spooning. After spending an hour
lodging the members Of the family ]
concluded to go upstairs. when l heard
a gentleman say:
"There's been a robbery. Franks
clothes were laid out for him upstairs.
and when he arrived just now he found
they were gone
For moment my heart stood STILL
but, regaining my assurance and re-
Numbering that if Barney Redfield
were in the house and knew that the
family were alarmed he would imme-
diately make an egress. l said to the
speaker:
81 would suggest, sir, that the exits
be watched to prevent the thiefs es-
cape"
"You are right" he replied and de-
parted to see that my suggestion was
carried out.
1t was soon evident that the matter
of the loss Of the dress clothes Of Frank,
whoever he might be, had got out
among the guests, and had it not been
that l was absorbed in watching for
some man to show some anxiety, there
by indicating that he was Vulnerable,
l would have felt the unpeasantness of
my position. AS ii was. | was not dis
concerted till | saw the host coming
toward me, his gaze fixed upon me
with no pleasant expression. He was
followed by several others, all men.
81 beg pardon. sir" he said, "but |
do not recognize YOU"
was cornered. What should l say:
What should l do? l stared at him
without speaking.
"If you cannot give reason for your
being here, shall send for the pc.
lice"
Don't stop for him to invent an ex-
cuse," said a guest, the man who had
been attentive to the hosts daughter
The fact that he is unknown to you
and a suit has been stolen should be
sufficient. Here's Frank"
Frank" in business clothes, stepped
up to me and after scrutinizing me took
hold Of the lapel of the dress coat
wore, turned it up and displayed a
pearl stick pin.
That's my suit" he said. II got
that stick pin as a cotillon favor last
week and put it in there"
Now, while this had been going on
my observing faculties had been work
ing. l took especial notice of the mo-
lions and expression of the young man
l had seen with the young Lady. He
seemed unduly excited, casting hur
ried glances at me, as if to make sure
he had never seen me before. must
decide upon a plan for at least tenn.
porary use. Turning to the host, said
coolly:
MAY ask private interview? YoG
don't wish disturbance, I'm sure"
Don't 60 off alone with him." said
the young man Of whom l have been
speaking.
"Would you do me the favor to como
with us?" said to him politely.
The host led us to a small room and
shut the door. The young mans nerv
ouSneSs increo cod 7 don't knnru what