The Washington times., 1906-10-28
The Case of the Boss Mason

been committed"
II can imagine So" Coleman indif-
ferently replied.
yet / have been tolerably success
fuI. Jimmie. In looking over my rec
ord yesterday, l found that, OF the
seventy-eight cases In which I mod
estly have played a part during The
past year. in eleven only were the
crimes actually committed In the
other sixty-seven, Jimmie. 7 prevented
the crime or forestalled the designs
OF the criminals. and IN most cases
landed come OF them behind prison
bars That's not so bad. eh?'' smiled
Boyd oddly.
Il should say not. Felix"
still. Jimmie. one cannot Invariably
anticipate lxnavery, let ones vigilance
and discernment be ever so keen"
surely not. Knaves work in the
dark, and one who can see we'll in the
dark Is a bit over the average-liNs
yourself. Felix"
Boyd laughed softly.
Now. Jimmie, II ! really were 70
undertake explaining that explosion"
he oddly drawled. after moment. 7
should be tempted TO say Helloi
what's here7'
From the vestIouls OF one OF the
Broad street Office buildings a man
who had observed Coleman passing
dashed quickly down the steps and
accosted him.
You're Detective Coleman, OF the
central ofce?" he asked somewhat
excitedly.
Both Boyd and detective halted. and
the latter answered:
Yes What's the trouble9 Any
thing wrons?'
I am not sure, sir; yet things don't
seem quite right There are two wo-
men here. each looking for her hus-
band. who is mysteriously missing"
VINO are the women
"One IS a Mrs. Gretchel, who states
that her
stop a moment. sir" interpossd
Boyd abruptly ITO what Mr. Gretchel
do you REFER
caleb GetcheI. the banker. His
ONCE is in this building"
He Is on my list OF patrons. jim
ME" said Boyd significantly. AL
low me TO look into this, will your
Certainly
'rWhere are u csc women. Mr. -
Warner. my name Is"
II wish TO see Them"
In the lower corridor. Both appear
very anxious. and uncertain wHat 10
do. 7 think
Come with me. Jimmie"
BOYD did not wait for Warner 20
state what ne thought but dashed up
the steps and entered the building,
closely followed by Coleman, and led
the way toward the elevator.
Nearby IN the corridor stood two
r,iddle-zCed women. one quite fash
tonahly clad. the other only plainly;
but each wore upon her face mark
ed expression OF anxiety and distress.
BOYD easily sUTmised which was
tie wife II the banker, and ne quick
Iv addressed her as ne approached.
"You ara Mrs. Getchel. madanI.
take it," said he. raising his hat. Il
am a personal friend Of your husband,
and, IN a way, am IN his employ. DC
understand that Mr. Grtchcl is
uissins2"
Both women turned eagerly 10 Boyd.
as 20 che displaying authority; and
airs Gretchel FASTENED 20 reply
..AIisslng-yes. sir" said she, in ire
ruulous tones. Il cannot understand
II. end feel dreadfully anxious. He
never remains away
"Ona moment. please" said Rovd
courteousIy. When did you see hiny''
mot FOR nearly a week. sir. I went
70 Boston last Monday, and returned
home only last evening. cX1ecting 20
be met by my husband. Yet he did
mol coma home last night. nor IS he
now in his office"
HAS he been living at home during
your ABSENCE
II 81 WTr.HT
man House. But he knew that I was
10 return last night, and wrote nae
that NJ would be at home, as usual"
Have you beer to the Hoffman
House To inquirer"
Fl have not. I expected 20 ind him
here. bu, his office is locked"
Possibly he has been suddenly
called away On business
IN that case. sir, he certainly would
have left word for me-" protested
Mrs. Getchel. Besides, sir here Is an
other woman in precisely the same sit
uatiOn-"
Toyd's earnest eyes took on sub
tie CLEAN. and he turned quickly to
the woman mentioned.
do 7 understand that your husband.
also, IS missing" he asked.
Yes. sir" she REPLIED. 7 am ter
ribly anxious about him"
HAS he an office in this building?"
''He Is the Waterman and jan!tor
mere. sir. ami he has not been home
since Wednesday, night"
What is his namef"
''Dobson. SIR. Joseph Dobson."
did you come here TO look for him
Thursday. or yesterday, Mrs. Dob
son?'
mo, sir: I did not" Mrs. Dobson
FASTENED 10 explain. There are two
janitors employed here, sir. One works
nights. ana the other DAYS, and they
alternate each week. This is my hus-
bands week for working days, but
sometimes ne does double duty when
the other man wishes 10 SO away.
and / felt no alarm over his absence
until this morning"
"Ah. I see"
''lhen I came up 70 look for him.
added Mrs Olson. But I can learn
nothing about him, and I encounter
ed Mrs Getchel. sir. IN the same kind
OF trouble"