Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-01

at Barnes without betraying the slightes
emotion. His large. bald head was covered
with the merest fringe of faded brown
hair. A broad, fiat nose indicated surlines
7 of disposition. and a mouth curled in I
sarcastic smile suggested cunning. Hi:
double chin sank in the folds of a white
collar and grazed the nap of a silk cravat
He held the chiefs card in one fat little
hand. while the stubby, blunt fingers OF
the other grasped a pen with the intensity
with which one usually clutches a weap-
on 1T the opening Of a battle.
This was John Buckingham, retired b'lsi-
ness man. stock market manipulation and
guardian Of Miss Helen Thomson.
He never moved those lustrelcss eyes
from his unabashed visitor. Barnes bore
the vacant stare with eQuan.mity. There
was nothing in the face to brighten him.
The key to the mans power was In his
pudgy hands. Presently he spoke, and
while the tone was qucrulous the words.
coming In short. jerky gasps. were fairly
hurled at the intruder.
What do you want here?'
Barnes pulled all Of his mental faculties
together before replying. He did not un-
derestimate his task. 1t would not 10
TO be beaten by this man with the for
bidding face and masterful hands. The
chief adopted his most caressing tone. He
would spar for points first and later. If
- 'Sthy wan COoy oiO"s
II beg your pardon for his intrusion.
but i wanted to know II you would aid me
in a little government investigation in
which / am engaged?'
The blue orbs wandered feebly in the
direction of the card that was still
ciutchcd in the strong hand Again the
words. short. sharp and crisp:
You're in the wrong shop; / know MOTH
ing of CUSTOMS
But let me tell you my story"
without waiting for his assent Barnes
went on and rehearsed the theft OF the
suit case down to the minutest detail. All
the time he watched the face OF the man
before him. 1t betrayed merely a lam
suid interest until the chief told about
the reception of the visiting card with
me compliments of John Smith, and
then. to his establishment, Mr.. John Buck
ihgham leaned back in his chair and gave
vent to a series of very loud and very dis
agreeable chuckles. Barnes had been
handing all this time. Now he quietly
sild INTO a chair opposite Buckingham. He
concluded his narrative by saving:
And that black letter book is still miss.
ing"
Inc unwilling host yawned openly to
SIGNIFY that the interview was becoming
wearying. Barnes showed no nnui.A He
leaned across the table. and, lowering his
voice to make 1t more impressive. said:
SIldUH, i want YOU to give me
rranl. Lanes letter book
The chief waited anXiousiy for the effect
OF his words, hut The flabby face opposite
him was u perfect mask. Those sruuid
eyes mad Il look of blind innocence. The
cuTl OF the lip was unchanGing. But the
nahds! Barnes could have shouted for
JOY. His startling request scarcely came
from his lips when Buckingham's left
hand twitched convulsively and the card
Ia Unc hnJlt,1 u,t.A..J -
me same instant the siubby fingers on the
other hand became nervcless and the men
between them fell on the fiat desk.
Barnes felt instant confidence at these
unrm.stakable manifestations. But he was
ie2cinS with a clever man, and a single
lnispiay might spoil the game. He waited
for BucAingham's response.
There came that disagreeable chuckle
again. The reply was almost lancuid in
tone.
IF you're quite through with this non.
sense I'll bid you good night"
Not quite. BY the way, you wear q
very becoming red cravat.'
The upper lip curled.
there are 10000 men in this town wear
Ing red cravats."
You are still a stakeholder in the Cons
soidated Cocoanut company
No news in that-to me-"
But you trleu to keep 1t a secret
Did L"
Yes, and you made the corporation file
the charges against young Lane. 1t cost
me three hours OF my time to find this ont
yesterday"
Indeed
Yes. indeed" snapped Barnes. in dam
ger of losing his temper.
I've cynical smile about the other mans
mouth decpened.
"Iou say th.s-this suit case was re-
turned to you with the compliments of
John Smith,"
That's what I said"
Well. then, 1t seems to me-if such q
bright person will coadescend TO take n
bit of a~dvicc-that what you want to do is
to get John Smith"
II Ia him
You have"
The astonishment that accompanied this
exclamation could not be mistaken.
Yes repeated Barnes, Il have"
"WheTe?' And the voice was loud and
commanding.
The chief arose from his chair and
walked quickly to the other side of the
desk. He c!appcd his right hand on the
other mans shoulder.
Here" he shouted. You are John
Smith,
Buckingham's hands unloosed them
selves and hung Imply by his side. His
lace showed no emotion. When he smoke
1t was with less energy than before.
You seem positive"
Sure: you have betrayed yourself by
your sense OF humor."
B~ucAingham's stare wac a stimulation
CT innocence.
When you decided t send the suit case
back you made a mistake,' said the chief
And when you put the visiting card in
the envelope with the baggage check you
sealed your own fate. Any man of ordi-
nary discernment could see that 1t was a
specimen of card and type sent out by an
engraving and printing house. The only
traits required to trace 1t were industry
and mini patience. and I flatter myself
that l have both. I visited the establish
ments OF sixteen printers today. Some had