davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1907-10-05
DR.. FISK GIN

Expert n the treatment OF private diseases
chronic and acute. Both sexes. All consulta-
tons confidential. Medicine furnished. Prices
moderate. Hours. to 1. 70 g. 70 O.
Rooms. l2SS Pennsylvania ave. nv. Pbona
The Washington times., 1907-10-05
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO RAILWAY
WASHINGTON SOUTHERN RY.
RicHsieR0, FREDERICKSBURG 4
POTOMAC r. R.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SPECIAL

VIII II = 40 III AANAA-N
BROuER BUFFET PARLOR CAR AND
COACHES
Daily except sunday between
WASHINGTON AND
nTn nnWw-uu
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

knowledge of the world in one volume
if you did"
why don't you try Mrs. Tucker. If
you amt been there yet? ] should
judge she would be just the one to try
today. She has been poking her nose
into other peoples business for twenty
years. and if there is a stick of furni-
ture in this town that she don't know
by heart it must have been smuggled
in at night and kept locked up in the
bank The landlord laughed. Mrs.
Tucker ought to be glad to look at
that book. The furniture of the town
of Kilo won't satisfy her curiosity. be-
cause she knows what other people
have got in that line better than they
do Themselves.
Eliph' Hewitt tucked his oilcloth
covered parcel under his left arm and
walked brislIiy down the street. Mrs.
Tucker lived in corner house and she
was at home. She was glad to see
Eliph Hewitt and welcomed him into
the parlor. 1t was after the dinner
hour of the Kilo hotel when the little
book agent dropped into the chair be-
fore the hotel again and nervausly
wiped his face
sell a book p" asked the landlord.
Il don't know" Eliph' Hewitt an
swered weakly L can't tell yet. My
thoughts amt collected yet. Why
didn't you say Mrs. Tucker was subject
to be took with fits?"
Because she amt" answered the
landlord. Curiosity is all she is liable
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28
On the Trail of Big Finger"

of you. too, and appeared glad to have
you investigate the affair. Says ne feels
sure that you'll find some reliable clue
to the robbers"
"A case of robF cry, eh?" smiled
Boyd. Suppose you loosen up. jim
mic, and give me some of the points. ="
This Coleman proceeded to do, mean
time driving more slowly through the
attractive country town, that time
might be had for his disclosures.
ITO begin with. Felix" said he, the
people round about here both in Epson
and the nearer outlying districts, have
been victims of a long series of mid
night robberies, covering nearly a year.
The identity of the thieves is not
known, nor has any clue to them been
obtained. despite the fact that about
thirty, dwellings have been entered and
robbed of money and jewelry since Sep
TENDER last. Griggs thinks that the
work is that of a professional gang,
having hidiEg-place about here, yet
of which he can get no trace. Sus-
picious-looking strangers have been
watched, also every tramp and vaga-
bond who came this way, but nothing
has come of it. the people are terror
lied, Griggs is at his wits end and
that's about the size of the general sit
uation. As a last resort, Grigss wired
me down here to investigate whole
sale burglary committed night before
last, and. after giving an entire day to
it, I find myself up against the bricks
as hard as he was, so / thought would
send for you. That, Felix, is the be-
ginning, and the occasion of my being
hera~
I see." murmured Boyd thoughtful
ly. DO / understand Jimmie, that
these burgiaries were confined to
dwelling houses2"
so l am told
And that only money and jewelry
were stolen?"
Chiefly those. Yet In several cases
solid silver. in the shape of spoons,
forks and the like, lave been taken
Because of being easily carried and
disposed of. should say Do YOU
know when the first of these robberies
was committed2''
Last September
Have they since occurred at regular
intervals. or otherwise ?''
Otherwise, I'm informed. Three
breaks were made on successive nights,
however,
DO you know what proportion of
them is confined TO Epsom7''
Il cannot say definitely replied
Coleman. yet ] know tfat there have
been more than twenty houses burglar
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

shouted Whoa She gave one look
at the colored picture from life of the
San Francisco earthquake, taken on
the spot while it was still quaking, and
then she gave little cry and jumped
to the window.
It's them new folks moving over
from Jefferson, she said, and poked
her head out. 1t wasn't nothing but
wash tubs full of tin pans and such
as that. Madam said, the next pic
ture ] show you is a view of Wall
street, with Thomas Lawson defying
Standard OIL and she hurried over and
took a look at it. and I was turning
over the page to show her the BIRDS
eye view of the fail OF Port Arthur
when a load of furniture backed up to
the house to the north of her, and she
gave a squeak and made dash for
the north window and stuck out her
head.
Law sakesr she says. If it amt
that family that is moving into town
from Richmond And IL they amt got
piano, 1 suppose they are the stuck
up kind
"a "The Fall of Port Arthur" paint
ed by our own artist on the spot where
it FELL 1 said. and she jumped over and
took a look, and then jumped for the
next window 1 TUNED over the page
and caught her as she was sprinting for
the north window, and she gave one
glance at the picture of Flags of All
Nations, which deserves close study to
see all its beauties, and before 1 could
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

tell her which was the emblem Of Pata-
gonia and which the blood baptized
flag of Honduras she had her head out
how awful worn the new neighbor's
parior carpet looked. But she did not
get any satisfaction, out Of it. because
she knew every minute she looked out
of the north window she was missing
something that was being unloaded at
the other house, and before she was
right sure it was the parlor carpet and
not just the old one for the third floor
spare bedroom, she had to tear herself
away and jump for the west window,
lest she miss something there. She
went by like a whirlwind but 1 men
toned that We were now turning to
the chromeolith of the wreck of the
Slocurn, and she gave itf one agonized
glance, but before she got her eyes
quite on it she had her head out of the
west window and / was calling her at
tention to the next picture, the same
time that the man of the house to the
north was yelling at the movers to be
careful how they handled that china
closet. And that just when she was
looking at the west folks unload a par
lor suite, and hadn't had a good look
at it yet. She gurgled out word /
don't like to say, and wrung her hands,
and scooted for the other window
(which one was 1t she scooted for?"
asked the landlord. Il have lost
track
$50 did l., said Eliph' Hewitt. "The
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

a hotel likes better than to go up to the
room he has been given and find a copy
of this book there. And it would save
you money. When a guest goes up TO
his room to wash up for dinner and
finds copy of this work on the bureau
he dips into it. and he gets so inter
ested in the Five Hundred Gems of
Prose and Poetry that he forgets to go
down and eat. If you want twenty CO.
pies I'll make a special discount.
Not today" said the landlord.
s'Fll take it cut in board" suggested
Eliph' Hewitt. mildly.
well, / don't know said the land
lord. IF that book is as interesting as
you say il is you might send twenty
copies and take your pay out in read
ing the one I'll put in your room. You'll
get so interested you won't want to
eat"
IT would do it if 1 didn't know the
whole book by neart. from cover to
cover said Eliph' Hewitt so 1
don't need to forget my meals I can
repeat parts OF it TO myself while I'm
eating. 1t gives me an appetite
Il noticed it," the landlord said az
guess If it works that way with every
body / won't take any more copies un-
til the price of eggs goes down"
The book agent stood up and yawned
You don't know any woman in this
town that amt moving and amt trou-
bled with curiosity. do you?" he asked.
Il might go around to her house and
give her a chance to secure all the
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

Gals, Boyd listlessly observed, in re-
Spouse to an appeal from Professor
Clyde. Il am told that your loss was
considerable
The professor. a prepossessing, ath-
letic man of 40, smiled obviously and
shrugged his broad shoulders.
Considerable cash, Mr.. Boyd, and a
watch I particularly value said he,
with an agreeable, sonorous voice TT
was cherished heirloom, and 1 would
gladly pay thrice its intrinsic value to
have it returned
Possibly we shall be able to recover
it" drawled Boyd, with lassitude for
which Coleman could not account.
Yet such crafty burglars are hard to
catch. The work appears to me to be
that of Well-organized gang OF pro-
fessional crooks, with headquarters in
this locality"
That's just my idea" cried Griggs.
as roundly as a mouth well filed with
mashed potatoes would permit. I've
said so time and time again.
Il shall remain here long enough to
attempt to run them down"
L hope you'll stop at my house dur
ing your stay, Mr.. Boyd. Coleman is
with me, and you, too. win be welcome
mighty welcome, sir
THANK you, sheriff. smiled Boyd,
with dropping lids 81 must have a
room at the hotel or inn, however.
may engage in night sallies after these
robbers, which I shall prefer 10 do Sc
cretly and alone. Besides. what better
place than an inn for picking up
chance clues?y
That's true, sir. Yet Id have been
mighty glad To have you at my house.
Mr.. Boyd"
By the Way, DR.. Dane. can you tell
me when the last burglary occurred
before the one committed here?''
Just ten days ago. Mr. Boyd" was
the ready reply. 1.-THE victim was Mr.
Jeptha Curry, one of our selectmen
recall the day, for he and his wife dined
with me that evening and his house
was entered the same night"
Much taken?" oueried Boyd indif-
ferently.
II cannot say just what amount"
"As ] said a while ago, 1 wish to visit
the several rooms entered and talk
with the occupants
Mine is open to you at any time, Mr..
Boyd interposed Clyde readily.
"You may begin your investigation
Immediately after lunch,'' said DR.
Dane. THE students will have finished
in about a quarter hour"
AS l already am done. I think I'll
go down 10 the How are you. Griggs
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

and advice, Mr. Boyd" said Dr.. Dane,
with quiet fervor II am much upset
by what has occurred here which, in a
way, may reflect upon my care and
management Detective Coleman was
very kind to ask you to come down
here"
Il shall do what can for you. DR.
Dane" said Boyd quietly Yet I can
give you no assurance that / shall ae-
complish anything. 1 should like as
soon as convenient to visit the several
rooms entered by the burglars, and to
meet the various persons who were
robbed"
but you first will take lunch, sure
"" cried Dr. Dane, leading the way
into the house. Come, Griggs. you
are included. This is our lunch hour,
Mr.. Boyd and the students now are at
the table,
81 should rather like to see them, -
observed Boyd.
Indeed! That can easily be ar
ranged, then. for, though my family
dining room is separated, 1 often sit at
the table with my assistant teachers in
the main hall. You there win meet Mr..
Clyde, our professor of chemistry and
physics, whose room was entered and
his watch and money stolen. Feel per-
fectly at home, Mr.. Boyd. The lava
tory is yonder, and always desirable
after. a train ride. I shall keep you
waiting only briefly"
Such was the case upon which Mr..
Felix Boyd had entered. The gist of it
could have been impaired to him with
a breath-a stuDendous series of rob-
berries, to the perpetrators of which no
man had been able to find the slightest
clue
Some ten minutes later the three WIS.,
itors Griggs with his hands thrust
deep Ia his trousers pockets, entered
the great dining room in which the
students and teachers were gathered
at the numerous tables and there were
given seats at that occupied by the
several school professors, to whom
Boyd was introduced.
The scene was an animated one, yet
the invariable good order the attrac-
lions of the great room. the neatness
and dispatch of the numerous servants.
all indicated the excellent taste and
executive ability of DR.. Dane. At the
table assigned the faculty, Boyd was
given a seat next to DR.. Dane and di-
fectiy opposite Professor Clyde, and
Naturally the recent crime soon became
flae chief topic of conversation
Il hope to accomplish something for
you. at least enough to put our good
Friend Griggs on the track of these ras-1
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28
The Case Of the
Epson Burglary.

Aha, | knew l could depend upon
you. Felix cried Coleman. with out
stretched hand 1T wouldn't have
been like you to disappoint your old
running-mate. On my word, I'm glad
you're here, for 1 am quite at sea, old
chap: all at skies and sevens.'
The midday train had just hauled
into tbs railway station at-EpSom will
serve for name, since the publication
of the real locality and the facts about
TO be set forth might reflect unfavora-
bly,. even at this late day, upon an in
stitution and people worthily high in
public esteem
Though somewhat out OF his beaten
path below the deadline, the part play
ed by Mr.. Felix Boyd in the case here
pf esented too strikingly exemplifies his
rare acumen and peculiar methods to
be omitted from any record of his re-
markable work
In so far as Felix Boyd figured in
il. the case began with a telegram, re-
ceived that morning from his friend the
central office man, which had resulted
in Boyd's arrival at EPSON about noon
OF a certain bright day in the month
of May. He smiled at Coieman's cor
dial greeting. drawing up his tall, 1.-THE
figure and shaking the train dust from
his garments, meantime remarking
genially:
I'm always at your command. Jim
mic Very glad to take the run out
here. too, and get a sniff of the coun-
try air Your wire gave me no mixing
of this case which I infer quite battles
you. and how do you happen to be on
it?"
''On II because Griggs. the. county
sheriff is d cousin of mine, and asked
my aid. He wired me down here yes
terday morning. and today, finding my
Investigations as uGprofitable as those
OF the sheriff, resolved TO appeal to
YOU
"Ah. that explains. I wondered at
your being so far from home
''Ceme out this way, ] have a trap
back of the station. and during the
half-mile drive before US I will tell
you what know about the ease. Here
we ale. Tumble in and III handle the
ribbons"
"a deucedly stylish rig. Jimmie,
laughed Boyd. as he complied.
ct belongs to DR.. Gillespie Dane.
head of the Vandyze academy out
here" replied Coleman. as he mounted
to the seat and gathered in the reins.
"He loaned me the hitch to bring you
up. Felix, when informed that ex-
pected you on this train. He had heard
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

to be took with, so far as / know
There amt room in her for anything
else. she is so full of that
I've been selling this book said
the little book agent, ever since
since it was a pup as you might say
and 1 amt ever seen q sadder thing
than what l saw up at her house. !
told you / was foolish to try to do bus
mess today. l never saw a woman
take on as that Mrs. Tucker did over
the things her new neighbors was NOV
ing in
Was their things better than
her'n?" asked the landlord.
mo. it wasn't that said Eliph'
-Berplitt----1y -lSlsezs4splaat kind eftss-
house she lives in. 1t is corner house,
and she welcomed ne in and took de-
light in hearing what I had to say
She was right pleased at the looks of
the illuminated frontispiece, and
thought the steel engraved portrait of
Roosevelt looked as if he was a good
fighter, because he had a face like her
Uncle Wisdom Tucker had before he
lost his teeth, and when he used to
wrastle with a grizzly bear every
morning before breakfast to get up an
appetite, and she was. going to tell how
her Uncle Wisdoms first wife was just
the woman that would have liked to
buy a copy of this book, her being in
tellectual and noted for the beautiful
wax flowers she made, when all at once
q wagon backed up to the house to the
north of her house and the driver
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

nearly through" inquired Boyd, with
curious indecision. IF the doctor would
loan us his trap once more, I'd like To
have you take me down to the hotel
before 1 start in on this work. I wish,
to select room just suited to my
needs, one Of so easy access that 1 shall
not attract attention going or coming.
We might drive down during the pres
ent delay"
Griggs, despite that he still was hun
CRY, already had dropped his knife and
fork and was out of his chair.
Sure we can, Mr.. Boyd, and I'll be
mighty glad to take you" he cried. NO
need of the doctors trap. either. for
my own team is hitched in the stable
shed. Come on, sir I'll whisk you
down TO the inn in no time, and back
in less Mighty glad to do it,
Boyd rose to his feet, still with that
odd air of elaboration.
Under the circumstances, gentle
men, I'm sure you'll excuse me. said
he We shall meet again presently,
See you later, Jimmie"
With which. while the replies of sew
eral We're made. Boyd, bowed himself
from the table and accompanied Griggs
from the dining room and ont TO the
stable shed. "A curious fellew, Mr.
Coleman, your friend Boyd observed
DR.. Dane, with a smile
If he has discovered any clue. Cole
man, or formed any theory as to those
burglaries, it certainly does not appear
on the surface" supplemented Profess
scr Clyde. in a way plainly evincinx
that he was losing faith in Boyd's acu-
men and ability"
Il doubt If ne has vet discovered
anything or formed any theory" Cole
man obviously Pe10ined
1; was an apt reply on the part of the
central office man. He was too IA
miliar with Felix Boyd and his meth
DDS to believe for q moment that the
latter had withdrawn merely to visit
the local hotel. That Boyd already was
engaged in some sort of a secret move
Coleman had not a doubt. and in max
ing the reply noted he had aimed TO
make it well in accord with the late air
and attitu Re Of his artful and sagacious
associate. In so thinking and doing,
moreover. the central Office man had
hit the nail squarely on the head.
s Yet Felix Boyd, accompanied by tho
taikative sheriff. rode first to the town
hosiery. which consisted of a huge old
inn. with numerous outbuildings, and
gIcrified in the ancient name of the
Epson Arms. Just why the wsrd
Continued On Page Q.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

lied here in town, so you can form
some estimate"
Near enough" nodded Boyd, with
curious Indifference. Now, Jimmie,
what was the affair OF two nights
ago."
"A wholesale robbery at the Vandyke
academy, which is, as you know, one
of the best in the country. Its tuition
fees are high and all of its patrons are
young men, ranging from Is TO 20 years
of age, and of wealthy families. a fact
which probably led to this robbery. 1t
doubtless was assumedt that the stu
dents would have a considerable sup
ply of money and vaIuables, and it now
al pears that intelligent discrimination
was made. OF the entire school, num-
bering over hundred, therein students
whose private rooms were entered and
robbed of money, rings and watches.
were those most literally provided with
such valuables."
"Ten rooms were entered, eh?"
Twelve" cried Coleman, bluntly
That of Professor Clyde, one of the
faculty, and the office and chambers
OF Dr. Dane, the head of the academy,
were both entered. Clyde lost a val
liable watch and something like two
hundred dollars. while DR.. Danes IaSses
were even greater"
"A wholesale JOB, indeed, remarked
Boyd Strange that none of the vic
TINS was disturbed by the thieves.
What do they say about it?'
.''Ail say that they slept soundly and
heard nothing. One in particular. a
nervous young chap named Vincent.
declares that he had the best nights
rest that he has enjoyed for weeks.
Ordinarily he is troubled with insom-
mia, yet night before last he slept, he
says, like brick
Very good of him under the circum-
stances laughed Boyd. bit oddly.
Have you discovered how the thieves
got in?''
Not definitely" replied Coleman
'sThe dormitory and private rooms of
the students occupy long wing of the
building in which Dr. Danes family
and his assistant teachers reside, and
in which the office and reception room
are located. On the ground floor some
of the windows were left partly open,
the night being warm. and very likely
the thieves took advantage of it."
sQuite likely" admitted Boyd as
yonder the academy"
Yes We shall find DIR. Dane and
Griggs awaiting u.s. The wooden build
ing fronting west is the doctors resi-
dence. and the long wing making out to
the south is occupied by the students.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

The brick building to the north is the
school proper, and the low one beyond
is a gymnasium. All, there is Griggs
now"
The falf-mile drive had brought them
to an attractive outskirt of the town,
where the extensive grounds and
buildings of the Vandyke academy
were located, upon a rise of land that
greatly added to the general beauty
and pretentious appearance of the
noted preparatory school. The imme-
date approach was through a long
avenue of handsome elns adjoining the
gentle activity, and Boyd surveyed
with more than cursory interest the
scene of the recent bold burglary.
A groom from the stable came to re-
Iieve Coleman of the team, and Sheriff
Griggs, a black-eyed little man of 50,
came down from the house veranda to
greet the couple.
I'm glad you're here, Mr.. Boyd;
mighty glad" he growled bruskly, after
introductions. I'll be mighty glad
too, if you can make anything of this
rascalIy business, in which case you'll
do moren / can. I've been after the
scurvy ours for nigh a year now, and
Tn worse off the scent than when ]
started-mighty worse off, TO tell. the
gospel truth
Boyd laughed lightly, and replied as
soon as the voluble county sheriff gave
him chance.
Possibly your efforts may. be re-
warded sooner than you anticipate. Mr..
Griggs," said he, pleasantly. Some
times, you know, we men sof the de-
tective profession light upon our quar-
~ when least expected"
The central office man smiled covert
~, but Griggs fell to vigorously rub
5ing his horny hands and appeared i'm
menssiy f1attered.
$50 we do. so we do. Mr. Boyd" he
dried, dwelling heartily upon the pro-
noun I'm mighty sure that between
us, Mr.. Boyd, we shall yet round up the
NANCY dogs infesting this locality II
we cannot do it between US. Mr.. Boyd.
I'll be nightly mistaken and away off
my-HeyI here's DR.. Dane. sir. Right
this way, doctor, and shake hands with
Mr.. Felix Boyd of New York City
DR.. Gillespie Dane was an attractive
gray man of nearly 20. with all the
polish of a gentleman and scholar
which appeared ali the more marked
from contrast with the Iaw's mighty
right arm IN that particular county.
Yet GTiggs, too was al right in his
own particular way.
I'm very glad that you could find
time 10 favor US with your experience
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28
BY SCOTT CAMPBELL,
Author of "8eIow the Dead-Line,"
1.-The Doctors Secret" etc.

copyrighted. 1906. by Street & Smith.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28

Copyright, 1897, by ElHs Parker
Butler.