The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-01-05

laughing consent ana uutt'N OH,
thanked Providence Tor such u self
contained little idd".camp aud pro.
cccdrd on my way IN n state Of great
self satisfaction
An hour later came upon her again
II is rcnlly extraordinary how frequent
" the paths Of some people cross.
"Wcllf" asked
"Mr. Moore deals with SmpkIns
lust.two blocks away from his house,
aud only II week ago h" bought som"
candles there"
rewarded her with a smile which
summoned into view the most eSasper.
ating of dimplcs.
you had better patroni2c Simpkins
yourself Tor little while" I suggest
cd, and by the arch glance with which
my words were received I perceived
that my meaning was fully understood
| Experiencing from this moment an
I increased confidence, not only In the
powers of my little friend. but in the
: line Of investigation thus happily 81.
, tablishcd. | cast about for means Of
settling the one great question which
was necessary preliminary 10 all fu.
! ture nction-whcther the marks de-
tectcd by me in the dust of the mantcl
/ in the southwest chamber had been
made by the hand of him who bad late.
~ felt the need Of candles, albeit his
house appeared to be fully lighted by
gas?
The point aimed Mt was this: TO oh
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
Conhding 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. ms
have intimated. favorably disposed
to me, he eXerted himself to such good
effect that | was formally detailed to
assist In keeping watch over the prem
iSes that very night.
As ] prepared to enter the old house
at nightfall allowed myself one short
glance across the way TO see II my APP
proach had been observed by the man
whose secret. II secret he had, | 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 If my
glance had not taken in at the same
instant the figure of Rudge crouchlna
/ obstlnately 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 well dressed
man before me was no less parsonage
than the whiom butt Of all the boys
, between the capitol and the treasury
building. slgnaled and commanded hin
, to cross to his side. Nothing could in
duce the mastff to bulge from tina
quarter Of the street where he felt him
self safe.
Mr.. Moore, glorying in the prospec
of unlimited wealth, presented star
Ting contrast in more ways than on
, to the poverty stricken old man who's
curious garb ana lonely habits haC
made him an object of ridiCule to hal
the town. own that | was ha!
amused and half awed 10y the conde
sccnding bow with which he greeted
my offhand nod and the atfaD.e way Il
I which he remarked;
you are making use Of your prerog
) atiYes as a member OF the police,
! see"
The words came as easily FROM hi
l lips as If his practice IN atfabil!ty ma
, been Of the very longest,
g IL wonder how the old place enjoy
= its present distinction" be went on
= running his eye over the dllap!dateC
t walls under which we stood, with yer,
evident pride in their vast proportion
D and the air of gloomy grandeur whic'
signalzed them. "If 1t partakes In th
: slightest degree OF the feelings of II
Q owner, can vouch for its ImpatienC
at the free use which Is made of It
! time worn rooms and halls, Are thes
!, intrusions necessary? Now that Mrs
+ Jeffreys body has been removed, d
:. you feel that the scene OF her denis
= need hold the attention OF the polio
e any longerF
: THAT Is a question 10 put 10 the ~
perntendent and not to me-" was m
d deprecatory reply, THE major has is
sued no orders for the watch 10 b
taken off, so we men have no choice
e l am sorry If 1t olfends you, Doubt
less a few days VIII end the matter
d and the keys will be given into you
J. hand, ! suppose you are anxious I
l. move I'M"
He cast a glance behind him at hi
u dog, gave a whistle, which passed III
G needed, and replied, with dignity,
II but little heart;
e when a man has passed his seyent