The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-15

mistaken, ana tOfTest did ct-ine TINS
way, and did take Beatrice away with
him. Now. suppose, too, that this Fir
fin had also planned on meeting Bea-
trice. or, If not that, admit that he was
madly in love with her. She and the
doctor were married in the church. It
is known in every village near here
that she was married TO DIR. Stagg, but
under the name of Thomas Firth, as
we gave it out. We all believe. and
everybody thinks. that she ACCOMPANIED
her husband.
Now. we have to deal with a dis
appointed lover, this man Firth. who
hears that he is married TO Beatrice.
ana knows that he is not. Naturally,
ne is filed with rage. He turks about
the place. He may be inclined to shoot
my brother, or he may be laying fer
the doctor. He sees Stage come here.
and recoS nizes him from the bay horse
which almost everybody knows as De
longing 70 James Stage. He fires in
revenge. Ny brother is the victim"
THAT IS a good theory" observed the
Constable. Then. knowing where The
oootor left the bay, she takes him to
make his escape"
Have it your own way" said my
N'Air4A etuA SURF llldl OITGSl NslD
not the man who took the girl away
She ind ouhtedly went with this Fir
I'm"
I'VE must follow the bay. Whoever
the assassin was. 1t is certain he rode
away on Stages horse"
He shook hands with me again, and
went out. following by the village con-
stable.
I'VE must not remain idle" said my
cousin. I'VE have work to do as well
as the police. I think the first thing
we should do is to try to learn some
thins about this Firth. Who knows
him. Where was he stopping?"
None of US knew the man." said
James Lee. From what l hear, he was
stopping at the New Hartford Hotel"
Had you ever seen him with your
cousin ?"
mol Or I'd" began James Lee.
Then he paused
well. the whole thing is the deepest
mystery I've ever tackled" said my
cousin. and 1 am going to get to the
bottom of it. Suppose we go down to
the hotel and see what we can dig out
about Firfin.'
John Lee remained with the parson.S
The New Hartford Hotel was a wood
en- building standing on Genesee Street,
opposite the TOW of stores that enjoyed
the high sounding title of Exchange
Place. The usual wooden drinking trough
was in front, and I had often stopped
there to give the bay some water
We found the proprietor of the hotel
a H.
parently smitten with a sort Of paraIy-
sis when he learned that his usual
peaceful resort was to be mixed up in
a murder mystery
He knew my cousin by sight, and
knew James Lee very well. 1 was in
troduced, this being merely a perfume
tory act OF courtesy.
We do not wish any publicity at
present. said James. I'VE are investi-
eating the mGtter quietly,
/ smiled as I thought Of the quiet
and secret act Of racing me. bound with
cords. along the PRINCIPAL street Of CEN
tral New York in Lees wagon.
You may rest assured 1 will help
you in any way I can said the pro-
prietor Of the hotel
Have you had a guest by the name
OF Thomas Firfin?"
''Why-yes.'' said the host, opening
his eyes in surprise. you don't sus-
pect him.
Possibly" said James. Now, what
about this Firan? Who is he? How
long had he been in your hotelY'
Why-let me see-this is a great sur
prise TO me. gentlemen Thomas Firfn
came here about a month ago. He had
been here once before. But only for a
day or two"
why did he come here? What busI-
ness had her How did he spend his
time? How is it that no one seems to
know this man, when as a rule in a
village Ike this everybody knows what
is going on?"
"Why-why-Firhn- is-F1rhn did
not wish to be known
Just so. But why? What reason did
he give?"
''Why-why-he was a secret service
man He was on the lay for a suspect
ed Illicit distillery somewhere between
here and Paris HILL
Huh. An Illicit still. Ell? Then he
told you he was a detective
Secret service man. he called it,"
Ever see his badger
He had a badge. 1 never looked at
IT closely"
What manner Of looking man was
he? Wore a beard?"
Sometimes" said the hotel man, eau
tiously.
Sometimes! Then he used a dis
guise,''
Yes. to outwit moonshiners.
Ever hear Of any moonshiners
around here?"
Never. FIRTH said it was a great
scheme. Had the stnl in a cave some
where"
There isn't a cave big enough to hide
quart bottle of whisky anywhere be-
tween here and Paris Hill" said James
Lee.
zone could be made in any of the
glens." I remarked i've discovered
some splendid sites Of that sort There
is that ravine you call Crystal Glen.
Then Sylvan Glen. Oh. a cave is easily
managed"
What kind of a beard did he we- %
asked my cousin. ignoring my interpo-
lation.
An ordinary brownish beard"
What kind OF a looking man was he
without the beard?"
Had perfectly smooth face. Light
blue eyes There was a peculiar white
mark under one ear. He shaved fire.
guenuy, so that he could have had a
natural beard II he wished"
James Lee started. The action did
not eScaDe nv cousins Iraa,, 49,