Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-05-23

with night stick presently II thing
| did not quiet down.
After that he could only sit In silent
despair and wonder what the outcome
| could be. If he did not catch the next
| steamer. the agents OF the English
/ company would be on the ground first.
/ II was through his old time friendship
for Carson that he had gained the
early tip that led to his being pro
NOTED TO be foreign salesman at aoge
than double his old salary.
Now this mistake would cost Bill
not only his promotion, but probably
even his position. AMI he could only
sit helpless IN his narrow cell and rai
at fate.
Then the grated half of the eca
door was darkened by a form, an
sprang to his feet.
I'm the bull IN this precinct ain
nouuced the newcomer Don't threw
that bluff,' he added as Colbrook
eyes went up IN inquiry. You know
what a bull is"
Il wa always under the impte
that they possessed four feet an,
horns" be said
"Thats a good bluT. bat it don't 20"
said the visitor. II guess you kaoE
what plain clothes men are ~ ans
title"
"The precinct detective? | see" said
Colbrook.
"The fairy what had her leathe"
swiped wants 10 know what you did
with It."
I'm sure | don't know what became
Of the lady's purse" he said pleasant
ly This slang was more understand
able.
STOW that" adnonished the detec
tive. II think she'll let you Off, anu
it's ten spot TO me II you tell
"But | tell you there is IA mistake"
he insisted. Your men picked up the
wrong man"
With snort of disgust, the ward
man turned away. Here was chance
to make $40 gone through the tbief's
stubbornness. He was back in a min
ute, though, ana Colbrook caught the
echo of lighter step on the stone
tagging.
1.-THE dame wants to give you the
third degree herself" he said. Don't
you give her none of your lip or I'll
come I'm there
II am at the lady's service" said Col
brook hopefully. He understood from
the previous conversation that she
could free him by refusing to make
complaint. 1t should not be very diff
cult to convince her that he was not
the thief
He started as she spoke, but some
impulse restrained the exclamation
that sprang to his lips.
"What was in the purse that was so
valuableY he demanded, making his
voice harsh and unnatural.
at cannot explain" she said, with
embarrassment "some keepsake Of
which | am very fond. The purse was
a keepsake am most anxious about
that"
Colbrook's heart gave leap. 1t was
the purse he had given her that she
sought, and it was Enid Sangston who
was pleading with him to restore her
property.
"Ill get you another purse just as
good" he said. IF you will get me ont
of this. Enid"
With scream she started back
from the bars as Colbrook moved into
the light Your she gasped.
81 was running to catch car" he
explained. at was misty, and the thief
slipped into doorway, and the mob
thought that since l was running Ii
must be I who was the culprit Then
here"
"Tm so sorryl" she gasped.
SIN not" he disagreed II see the
hand of fate. You see, was running
to catch a car to Chester 10 see you.
You were In town. and should have
missed you"
But why such hasteT' she asked
81 am leaving this afternoon for
China" he explained. MY chance has
come at last. and wanted to ask yon
to wait for me. dear. VIII you?'
81 think" she said. that we must
bow to fate. | ran into town unex-
pectedly. and Suppose you had
caught the car and gone out there. I
should not have had chance to say
goodbv."
Now we can say 1t over the lunch
table. and there's still time for trip
TO the iewelry store, too. II you viii
explain to the officer that was not
the thief"
That formality was quickly accom-
plished. and presently they were pass
ing the desk Colbrook leaned over
and shook the sergeant's hand.
"Goodby. sergeant" he said heartily
II am very much obliged"
II wonder what he meant" unused
that official as he regarded the bin that
had been left in his palm. "Sure,
thought he'd make trouble with the
chief"