The Washington times., 1906-10-21

Jimmie Coleman laughed. and Mr..
Felix Boyd elevated his hecis 20 the
edge Of his office desk and roundly
added. through the BLUSH spirals curl
ing upward from his Pioe's bowl:
"A neck-and-neck race all the Time.
Jimmie-that's what II is. Now the
criminal has the pole. and looks for
all the world like sure winner; and
now his one persistent and tireless
adversary. ths professional sleuth.
wrests II from him. and shows 20 the
front FOR a spell. But the a.Aantage
IN either case IS always temporary.
and the strenuous struggle never
ends"
And it never will. Felix srimly
declared the central office man.
Possibly not"
'Whus there are dollars 20 be more
easily made by knavery and cunning
than by honest. hard labor. society
will continue TO breed criminals" con-
tinued Coleman. And while Grim
inals continue 10 exist and ply their
vicious trade. the professional detec-
tive must also remain in the fell We
hunters OF men are a social necessity"
That's very true. Jimmie. The field
Is a broad one. moreover, and Is con-
stantly enlarging. Has that ever oc-
CURED - your
''Wel. 7 cannot say that Il has.
seldom bother with anything but the
practical side or my Internal voca-
ton"
Boyd laughed softly. In his semi
quizzical fashion. and for q moment
nodded thoughtfully at his companion.
Look the field over. JimElfe.' said
he. "Once We had only the criminal,
with his jimmy; the footpad. with his
pistol OF bludgeon; the sneak-thief.
with his sly dexterity; the foTger.
with his supple fingers end crafty pen.
The time has been. Jimmie. when these
comprised the chief quarry for police
men and detectives"
That's right. too" admitted Cole
man.
What a difference In these daysr'
continued Boyd. in musiBg vein. THE
category now outreaches ones imag-
ination, even. Pelion Is heaped upon
Ossa- Each new day brings forth some
new phase or crime. some novel and
original scheme by which knaves aim
10 set the best Of honest men. With
the growth OF population, with broad
x -hlAltAA anu DEEAlANHa E0Ata4AAADsA1l nave
come greater opportunities for crime
and the criminal invariably keeps
abreast OF his opportunities"
''And the sleuth must keep abreast
OF the criminal. ehs" laughed Cole
man.
That's Just the size OF it. Jimmie. q"
smiled Felix Boyd. Therefore. as I
remarked in the beginning. IL Is a
IL
years end 10 the other. II would puz-
zle a Philadelphia lawyer. cay moth
ing of an anticipated detective, to an
tLcIpate the next criminal scheme for
rifiing the almighty dollar from some
poor devil. at the expense Of -
Hello. Somebody coming? Possibly
we are 10 be confronted with the prob
lem even now"
And Boyd sazcd expcctautly toward
his office door.
Rapid steps we're sounding in the ad-
joining corridor. and presently the door
was unccremOniCUsly opened. and a
well-hown Wall Street banker hur-
riedly entered.
'Ah, Boyd. how luckyr' he ex-
claimed.
Lucky that you ind me. Mr.. Bel
den2"
Exactly. I want you tc do me a
favor"
You aIe on my list OF patrons. Bel
den. What's the trouble p
"a devils OWE mess. I fear. You
kno" the Honorable cyril Dearborn p
The English cgasul gtneraI2"
res. certainly. lie is a perfect
gentleman in every way. very wealthy
and accomplished, and We are very
warm friends. II you can heIo him
out"
'one moment. Belden," interrupted
boyd Suppose you come TO the point
at cnce. and tell me what has happen
Cd 10 Dearborn. TI5,r may be worth
something. YOU know"
You are right" BeIden hurriedIy
reJoined. In fact, Boyd. nothing has
happened 10 Dearborn himself. But
his daughter. LuelIa Dearborn. is mvs-
terlously ost-abducted-lhe
devil knows what
State ali Of the circumstances -
said Boyd, with a subtle glow begin
ming TO show IN the depths OF his keen.
gray eyes.
Instead Of complying, however, the
banker impaUenuy cried.
lisl Coiue WITH me TO Dearborn =
Office, which adjoius my own. That's
how l became SO quickly informed OF
the misfortune. I'll give you the par
tlculars on the way. The consul is
nearly distracted Only with difficulty
could l persuade him to defer an ap-
peal 10 the police and first allow me
TO consult you. Come. come. Boydl
Something must be done, and done
quickly
Boyd did not express his secret wish
that Belden had suffered the consul 10
give the case to the police, the kid
naping of "a young girl not being at
al 70 his fancy, nor in any way sug-
gestiye of the work of that obscure
gang of criminals so long operating
below The dead-Iine. the discovery and
arrest of whom had become one Of
Felix Boyd s chief aspirations.
lie arose 10 comply with Belden' 5
urgent request. however. and deferred
tle.r departure only TO say quietly 10
THE central office man:
Meet me at Belden's Office in the
course OF quarter hour. Jimmie. III
look into this affair If il amounts TO
anything Z may require your aid. "
Coleman merely nodded his assent,
and Boyd slipped into his street coat
and accompanied the impatient bank