Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-08

steps to show you that this pure and
noble woman is fooling You"
Risbee, the last speaker, was about
to leave. when billiard. the other,
stopped him. You do not have my
consent to this proceeding. but if you
will give me your plan 1 will execute
it myself"
You shall act with me. Virginia
Lambert is now receiving the atten-
tons of man named Connor-Frank
Conner. He
Il will 90 at once, and if find
Nonsense! Either he knows what
she is or he doesn't. If he knows. he
will not give her away. If he doesn't.
he will consider you a fool to suppose
she loves you instead of him.
what is your plan?"
Il have not vet made it, | will 30
home and think one out You shall
hear from me as soon as have done
So"
Very well. | have great confidence
in your ingenuity"
Il take chances-that is, in plans laid
for myself
Take the same chances for me"
The next day BiSbee told his friend
that he had formed plan, but it could
not he put in practice till Conner
should go out Of town for day or
two; but. since he made frequent trips
here and there. they should not have
long to wait. Ten days later Bisbee
announced his plan and that the time
was ripe. Conner had gone away for
overnight. You go TO his rooms; |
will go TO his office" he added.
An hour later Hilliard appeared ut
COnnor's rooms and. producing a forS-
ed search warrant. proceeded to go
through what papers he could find
there. He found nothing of CORE
spOndence between Mr. Connor and
Miss Lambert.
I'm a fool and a knave." he said to
himself, Ito resort to such deSpicable
means. l shall wash my hands of the
business"
Going to his rooms, he waited till
BiSbee came in.
We'll" Hilliard asked, what luck?"
Let me tell you what | have done
l went to COnnor'S office and demand
ed to see him at once. OF course they
told me what | knew-that he was out
of town. | told the clerks that lie was
under suspicion of embezzlement and
assumed as detective to take posses
sion OF the office.
when will ConnOr return I de-
manded.
Likely some time during the day
"'You are deceiving me. He will not
return till tomorrow. Why dc you
say he will be here today
Because there is telegram for
him. If he were to remain away over
night. it would not have been sent
here
"'DOes he not receive kilograms of
business nature?'
"'Seldom. They are usually of pri-
vate nature
"'Open the telegram
'The clerk tore off the envelope and
handed me the dispatch. 1t read:
'Be at the gardens at tonight
W."
at is "A lie.' exclaimed Hiilisrd.
You are deceiving me-"
I'VE will go to the gardens and gee
for ourselves"
There was an open air concert at the
gardens, the guests strolling about n
pagoda where the orchestra played.
The lights were few, but very bright
Consequently there were brilliant spots
interSpersed with dark ones. The two
friends passed back and forth with the
thrOng, keeping their eyes open the
while. Presently they espied couple
sitting on a bench in a recess between
exuberant foliage. They stood with
an electric light pouring its rays full
upon them. The lady in the case turn
ed her face to hide it, but she was too
late. The two men advanced, and Hi
lard cried in a voice of agony:
''Nirginia"'
Her companion arose and, stepping
forward. exclaimed Indignantly:
Gentlemen, what means this intru-
sion?"
1T may be an intrusion" billiard re-
piled. "but it is justified. The lady you
are escorting was to have married me
within a few weeks"
The woman gave billiard a beseech-
ing look. while his friend Bisbee took
him by the arm and tried to lead him
away. But he would not go. Raising Il
walking stick he held in his hand. he
brought it down on Connor's skull.
Connor replied in kind. A crowd gath
cred. policeman rushed to the scene.
and the party of four were arrested
"Foolr' exclaimed Hilliard to his
friend. Now it must all come out,
and we shall have to pay for playing
detectives"
II see it all now" said Conner. you
are the men who pretended to be Off
GERS of the law"
The result of the episode was that
Bisbee was thanked by billiard for
undeceiving him and instead of being
prosecuted by Connor for trespass re-
ceived also his thanks, since he, too,
had been undeceived
HAROLD OTIS.