The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1905-07-14
A BIT OF AMATEUR
N DETECTIVE WORK
IOriginal.]

fihe literary taste, though the only evil
dence / have of this is that my friends
are continually asking my opinion of
this OF that book One class 0f fiction
| always detested-detective stories.
Today read every detective story
can get my hands on. This is the cause
of my conversion:
One summer my friend Charlie Coe
asked me to spend some time with him
at his country seat lie had there
number of guests, including Virginia
Carney, whom l had met before, and
Miss Kate Taylor, whom l met there
for the first time Virginia. Carney
was inclined to literature of Il refined
type, and 1t was supposed that on ac-
count of cOngenial tastes she and !
would make a match When Miss Tay
lor told me that she loved detective
stories 1t seemed to me that we could
never have anything in common.
One evening as l was hurrying down
to dinner, being late, l saw well
dressed man on the stairs with an over
hand On seeing me he looked tr-
f1e embarrassed, told me that he was
a newly arrived guest, that he did not
wish to disturb the host while at din
ner and he would be obliged if l would
show him to some room where he could
make toilet The butler was in the
hall below, and It occurred TO me to
turn the man over to him; but, not
wishing to appear disobliglng, I took
him up to my own room and left him
there.
l did not think of him again, nor did
see him. played an exciting game
of billiards after dinner and from then
till midnight danced. The next morn
ing early was off with fishing party
and did not return till shortly before
dinner.
On entering the house met my host
and told him of my success ut fishing.
He listened without showing the slight
est interest-indeed, was very freezing
in his demeanor toward me. At din
ner the guests treated me In the same
fashion. No one refused to speak to
me. but all avoided me. During the
evening went TO Miss Carney and
of my singular treatment. soon found
that, whatever the cause was, she had
been as fully affected by 1t as any one
else. But she gave me no satisfaction.
Later, much depressed by what
could not understand, went out on to
the piazza and sat alone. Hearing
light step behind me, l turned, and
there was Kate Taylor. l arose and
bowed formally, not knowing what to
expect
'You have noticed, l suppose" she
said. "a GOODNESS toward you. l doubt
IL you know the cause"
II do not"
"a number of guests have missed
since last night some of their yalua-
bles, and Il diamond brooch was found
yesterday morning by the mnnservant
who brushes the guests clothes in the
side pocket of your dinner jacket,
For moment | was thunderstruck,
but the guest or, rather, thief, whom ]
had taken to my room soon came back
to my memory and accounted for ey-
erything. l hurriedly gave the girl an
account of the matter, and | saw at
once that she believed my story. Then
| started to go In and explain the mat
ter to the host.
zone moment" said Miss Taylor.
Twill he believe your
why not? Do you not believe mef"
Eyes, but l did not believe you guilty
In the first place. If l had l don't
think | would be much Influenced by
: our story. In criminal cases you will
notice that people range themselves on
one side or the other and do not change
their opinions whatever the evidence or
the verdict"
what course do you adviser
81 have always had a fancy for de-
tective work. Suppose you do nothing
for the present and leave the matter
to me-"
l was glad 10 avail myself of any
ASSISTANCE. Sne asked ue 10 ttil NY
story over. questioning me infinitely
as / did so. Then we separated, 1t
being understood that she was not TO
treat me any differently from the
others.
The next few days were torture to
me. Avoided by the guests and treat
ell coolly by the host. wished to leave,
but Miss Taylor advised my remain
ing, so | stayed on and every day was
the more Stunned.
At the end Of the fifth day, Just be-
fore dinner, the host asked for the at
tendance of every guest In the draw
ing room. l felt sure that my time
had come; that was about to be de-
nounoed. When we were assembled,
Coe addressed us:
'My friends, robbery has occurred
in this house which has thrown sus-
picion on one guest and has been I'M
raveled by another He then told
the story of my meeting the man in