Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-05-11


street, sauntering along 1t until the ele-
waited doomed ahead; I heard the roar
Of an approaching train and stopped
to purchase some fruit at the corner
stand. My pursuer was some distance
behind, closely inspecting the bric-a-
brac In a peddler's cart The train
rumbled into the station, and, starting
as though I had Just perceived 1t, 1
bounded up the stair, slammed my
ticket into the chopper and dashed
across the platform. The guard at the
rear Of the train held the gate open for
me for an instant and then changed It
shut. We were Of with a jerk. As I
looked back I saw Martigny rush out
upon the platform. He stood staring
after me for an instant; then, with q
sudden grasping at HE breast, stag
gered and seemed to fall. A crowd
closed about him, the train whisked
around q corner. and I could see no
more.
But at any rate I was well free Of
him. and got OF at Blocker street.
walked on to the square and began
my search. Ny plan was very simple.
Beginning on the east side Of West
Broadway. 1t was my intention to stop
at every house and inquire whether
dodgers were kept. Ny experience at
the first place was a pretty fair sample
Of all the rest.
A frowsy headed woman answered
my knock.
You have rooms to letr I asked.
"Oh. yes, monsieur" she answered
with an expansive grin. "Step Els
way"
We mounted q dirty stair; and she
threw open a door with q flourish
meant to be impressive.
"Zese are ze rooms, monsieur: Eey
are YER hne.''
looked around them with simu-
lated interest. smothering my disgust
- we'll a. could.
"How long have they been vacantr'
I asked.
''Since only two days. monsieur. Al
you see. xey are YER fine rooms"
That settled It. II they had been va.
cant only two days. I had no further
interest in them, and with some excuse
I made my way out, glad to escape
from that fetid atmosphere of garlic
and onions. 80 went from house to
house, stumbling over dirty children,
climbing grimy stairs, catching giimpses
Of crowded sweatshops. peering into
all sorts Of holes called rooms by cour-
tesy, inhaling hundred stenches In az
many minutes, gaining an insight that
slckened me into the squalid life Of the
quarter. Sometimes I began to hope
that at last I was on the right track.
but further inquiry would prove my
mistake. 80 the morning passed. and
the afternoon. had covered two
blocks to no purpose. and I turned
eastward to Broadway and took car
downtown to the Office. My assistants
had reported again-they had met with
no better success than I. Mr.. Graham
noticed my detected appearance and
spoke a word Of comfort.
II think you're on the right track.
Lester" he said. But you can't hope
to do much by yourself-it's too big a
job. Wouldn't It b better to employ
half dozen private detectives and put
them under your supervision? You
could save yourself this nerve trying
work and at the same time get over the
ground much more rapidly. Besides,
experienced men may be able to sug-
gest something that you've overlooked"
I had thought Of that-I had won
6ered II I were making the best pos
sfble use Of my opportunities-and the
suggestion tempted me. But some
thing rose within me-pride. ambition,
stubbornness, what you willard /
shook my head, determined to hang on.
Besides, had still before me that bat.
tie Of wits with Martigny. and I was
resolved to make the most Of 1t.
LET me keep on by myself a day OF
two longer. sir" said. II believe I'll
succeed yet. If don't there will still
be time to call in outside help. fancy
I've made a beginning, and I want to
see what comes Of it."
He shook me kindly by the hand.
Il like your grit" he said approx.
ingly. land I've every confidence In
you. 1t wasn't lack Of confidence that
prompted the suggestion. Only don't
overdo the thing and break down as
Royce has. He's better, by the way,
but the doctor says that he must take
a long vacation-a thorough rest"
I'm glad he's better. I'll be care
full" l assented, and left the office.
While I waited for a car l bought
q copy Of the last edition Of my paper.
from force of habit more than any.
thing. then, settling myself in a seat
still from force Of habit turned to
the financial column and looked 1t over.
There was nothing Of special interest
there and turned back to the general
news. glapcing carelessly from item