Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-07-12
A BIT OF AMATEUR
DETECTIVE WORK
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1 Il tuHAUSt L dHt G2nSduITC4 n MAN
fine literary taste, though the only evil
dence have Of this Is that my friends
are continually asking my opinion of
| this or that book One class Of fiction
always detested-detective stories.
Today l 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. He had there a
number of guests. including Virginia
Carney. whom / had met before, and
Miss Kate Taylor whom | met there
for the first time. Virginia Carney
was Inclined to literature Of refined
type, and II was supposed that on ae-
count OF congenial tastes she and
would make a match. When Miss Tay-
Tor told me that she loved detective
stories it seemed to me that we could
never have anything In common.
one evening as was hUrrying down
TO dinner, being late, | saw wen
dressed man on the stairs with an over
coat on his arm and a satchel in his
hand. On seeing me he looked tri-
&c embarrassed. told me that he was
newly arrived guest. that he did not
wish to disturb the host while NJ din
ner and he would be obliged If would
show him to some room where he could
make a toilet. Tie butler was In the
hall below. and ii occurred to me TO
turn the man over to him; but. not
wishing 10 appear diSobllelng. | took
hin up to my own room aud left him
there.
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 of with fishing party
ana did not return till shortly before
dinner.
On entering the house met my host
and tod him of my success at 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 onc refused TO speak to
me. but all avoided me. During the
evening | went to Miss Carney and
efdeaYored to draw from her the cause
of my singular treatment soon found
that, whatever the cause was. she had
been as fully affected by it as any one
else. But she gave me no satisfaction
Later. much depressed by what
could not understand, went out on TO
the piazza aud sat alone. Hearing a
light step behind me. | turned. and
there was Kate Taylor. l arose aud
bowed formally. not knowing what 10
expect
You have noticed. | suppose" she
said. "a eoolneSs toward you. doubt
IL you know the cause"
Il do not"
"a number of guests have messed
since last night some of their valua-
blcs. and diamond brooch was found
yesterday morning by the manseryant
who brushes the guests clothes la tie
side pocket OF your dinner Jacket"
For a moment | was thunGerstruek.
but the guest, or rather. thief, whom
had taken to my room soon came back
to my memory and accounted for ev-
erything. / hurriedly gave the girl an
account OF the matter. and l saw ut
once that she believed my story. Then
started to 20 IN and explain the mat
ter TO the host
"One moment" said Miss Taylor.
"WilI he believe you:'
why not? Do you not believe me."
Eyes, but / did not believe you guilty
in the first place. Ii | had don't
think / would be much influenced by
our story. In criminal cases You viii
notice that people range themselves Oh
one side OF the other and do moi change
their opinions whatever the evidence or
the verdict"
What course do you adviser"
IL have always had a fancy for de-
tective work. Suppose you do nothing
for the present and leave the matter
to me-"
was glad TO avail myself of any
assistance. She asked me TO tell NJ
story over, questioning me minutely
as | did so. Then we separated. it
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
ed 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 Q7leSt In tho. dYa "