Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-05-30
The Man Who
Arrived
By CLAUDE PAMAREs
Copyright, 1870. ,p Homer spragls

I - -
AS Briggsyille was a town of 2,00(
, inhabitants and boosted a fair hotel
there had been arrivals there by trair
for years. but they were what might
be termed everyday arrivals Drum
} mers paid the town a visit; men when
looking for an opportunity to go into
business would come that way; stran.
gers who didn't always unburden them
selves to the inqusitive landlord would
come and so. Each and every guest re-
ceived more or less public notice, but
dropped out of mind when he dropped
out of sight
The man who finally arrived slipped
in so quietly that he had been guest
for three or four days before it was
generally known that he was present.
He walked up from the depot instead
Of riding in the bus and paying a
quarter extra. He didn't make q rush
for the bar as soon as he arrived. He
didn't cuss the train for being late
or cuss the town on account Of the
mudholes In the streets. He took the
landlord into his confidence at once and
explained that he was In poor health
and might spend a month In recuperat-
Ing. He ate supper and then sat down
In the barroom and smoked and dozed
and answered but few questions and
asked none at all, and 1t was the gen.
eral verdict before he went to bed that
be didn't amount to shavings compared
with other arrivals.
George X. Jones, as the man who ar
rived had given his name, moved about
town for the next week without at
tracing any particular notice and
without any one caring particularly
about his health. The landlord of the
hotel had just told a friend Of his that
Jones was apparently softly, who had
tired himself out in wondering why a
coffee mill turned to the right instead
Of the left. when he was asked for q
private Interview. He instantly made
up his mind that Jones wanted to stand
him off, but he granted the request.
In two minutes there was a great
transformation. Jones of the sleepy
eyes and tagging feet became as alert
as a fox. He acknowledged that he
had registered under false name; no
confessed that be was not what he
seemed; he owned up that he was at
the head Of a detective agency and
ready TO do business with his host on
the most liberal terms. There hadn't
been any crime Of any account around
Briggsyille for several years, but this
state of affairs could not last much
longer. There would be a crime wave
sweeping along pretty soon, and bis
agency wanted to be In 1t and make
most of the arrests and receive most
of the rewards.
He was there in advance Of the wave |
of the landlord detectlve-a real old |
sleuth of the first order-and he had a |
printed commission duly dated and |
signed that would be exchanged for a
twenty dollar bill. The landlord was
to spot robbers and murderers as fast
as they turned up and send In bis re-
ports and receive half the rewards.
1t did not take the proprietor of the
Clarion over FIVE minutes to decide on
handing over. His income from the
detective business would not be less
than $1,000 a year and might run to
three times that, and his opportunities
for sporting" were Al.
OF course he was told that looking
wise and saving wood was the founda-
ton of detective work and given many
verbal instructions, and half an hour
later he was down In his bar and siz-
Ing up three or four old tOpers he had
known for fifteen years and wonder
Ing which of them was plotting muir
der. That evening he picked out ne
less than seven men to keep an eye on
In future. and 1t was generally remark
ed that he seemed more alert than
usual.
Next day the man who arrived saun-
tered into the livery stable. He had
In there before, talked horse
For q few minutes and then sauntered
put again, much to the disgust of the
owner. This time he didn't talk horse.
The liveryman was all alone, but he
was taken TO the rear end of the barn
20 be communicated with. Mr.. Jones
lad noticed that he had head On him.
Jones had also noticed that he had an
Eye like an eagle and a perspicacity
hat enabled him to tell horse from
/ COW on sight The llveryman was
He couldn't help but be. He
lad been called a fool often enough
or trying to conduct livery business
n county where there were 264 sep
rate, distinct and steep hills and to
ind that all the people had been wrong I
bout it all the time was like pouring I
weet oil on burn. I
After an hours conversation the man !
f horses and buggles gave up S25 and
eceived commission to act as detec-
i've. He was not to be confined to any |
me sort Of crime, but could go ahead
nd do business with criminals Of all
orts regardless OF age or sex. Before
lr. Jones had left the stables the new
Y made detective had made up his
mind to keep an eye on the landlord of
he hotel. He had long suspected that
ounterfelt money was being made In
be garnet Of the Clarion
The man who arrived took another {
aunter that day. He sauntered In to
ee Mrs. Bascomb, who kept a small
Millinery and notion store He had
ot come for fall hat or a paper Of
airpins What he had come for he re-
lted In whispers. accompanied by a
demeanor. His agency
eeded women detectives. word
aught up now and then es woman
was trying on a hat or buy
NJ i YARD ~ might lead 10 the I'M
arli ID. siey.
~. i,,,toJ novf r. z