Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-17
CcOpyrisht. 1900. BY George Barton.)


= ana iearnedly discoursed upon the philo-
sophy Of crime. Alan Forward, his friend.
the chemist, who had dropped in to pay
a pop call. forgot the movements of the
hands OF the clock and sat there absorbed
in the flow of wit and wisdom that came
uninterruptedly from the lips of the vet
eran of the government service. Barnes
was about to clinch one Of his favorite
propositions when he was interrupted by
a gentle tap on the door.
Come I'M" he cried in freezingy official
tones.
The door opened and Cornelius Clancy
entered. Clancy popularity known as
the shadow Of the chief, but he was phys
ically substantial, and II the twinkling eyes
and the always present smile counted,
very merry shadow. Anyhow, Barnes re-
garded him as vitality essential to his bus
mess. and the aggressive little fellow mad
\shared in the capture of many celebrated
smugglers. He burst into the room now
with the air Of man full OF information
but when he perceived a stranger he
stopped short and stood in meditative
fashion.
go on, Con-" said the chief encourage
inEly; don't mind Mr.. Forward"
ITS not much" responded the young
man. taking his breath. THE Vulture
passed breakwater this afternoon and 10
anchored in midstream. The night inspec-
tors are up in the air and say you'll have
10 look her over"
Barnes sighed deeply and ran his hand
through his luxurious snow white hair. He
turned to Forward
'I hate to stop this areument"-he called
his monologue an argument-"just when
I'm getting the best Of you. But before
we quit again insist that the human body
does not inherit disease, but 1t does inherit
tendencies. Now 1 carry this TO its logical
conclusion and say that we inherit mental
as well as physical tendencies. Hence the
crime In some families hence
Forward burst into a laugh and threw up
both hands.
1T surrender, Barnes You can quit
happy"
A smile. of satisfaction spread over the
old mans face. and the smile dropped ten
years from his age. He tossed off his slip
pers and began pulling on his CATERS. He
looked at his visitor.
Maybe you'd like to go down TO y the
wharf with us. Three wouldn't be a crowd
mot in this case"
Delighted, I'm sure" responded For
ward, with alacrity. But If I'm in the
way you must not hesitate to say So"
"Oh, you're not in the way" replied
Barnes Besides" with tentative look.
I'VE might take up this argument where
we left off"
Didn't 1 tell you surrendered?" inter-
jected the other.
yes" grumbled the chief, "you did"
Then, boiling into another room, You gave
in too quickly. There's no sport in that
sort of victory"
While Barnes prepared for his hurry call
Forward had an opportunity of studying
the ROOM. 1t was plainly furnished, the
most conspicuous article. in the room being
the bookcases. They filled every available
inch OF the wall space. A closer inspection
revealed the fact that they were all works
OF reference. Fiction seemed to be rigidly
tabooed. One shelf filed with long thin
volumes. in plain bindings. contained the
annual reports read at the meetings of the
American Prison association. The other
volumes had such titles as Grimes and
Criminals "Criminology," National
Crimes" THE Philosophy of Klepto-
MANIA" "The Criminal insane" Juvenile
=, Offenders" and Remarkable Trials"
Presently Forward turned to Clancy with
a half yRwn;
1.-THE old mans long while"
Clancy smiled so broadly that both rows
OF teeth glistened beneath the rays OF the
electric light. He answered with an air
Of man who is revealing secrets of
state:
He's shaving"
"Shaving?'
yes; he's a perfect crank on It. Has
to have his shave twice a day, or he's
miserable. You came in tonight and inter-
tered with It But he won't go out with
out his shave"
well, I'll be darned" murmured For
ward.
That's not ALL" exclaimed Clancy.
proudly.
! mot ALP
mo, there's something else just you wait
and see."
Barnes emerged ready for the street He
went into the corner of the room and
pulled out a small table, containing a spirit
lamp and a small urn. He struck a
match, lighted the lamp and the water be-
gan to bubble. In a few moments the
room was filled with the aroma OF coffee.
Several large cups were on the table.
Barnes filled one He approached the
chemist.
Have a dish OF eoffee?"
mot on your life" was the quick re-
Spouse. III drank that Ia see snakes all
night"
Barnes looked at him with an indulgent
smile. He swallowed the coffee at a gulp;
then he took a second cup.
IT couldn't live without it," he said.
Five minutes later they left the room,
and, taking short cut through the
square, walked nurr1edly IN the direction
OF the river front. The streets were de-
serted The hands on big clock pointed
TO few minutes Of midnight A death
like stiffness hung over the city. The
three men were silent. but the sound OF
their footsteps echoed through the air with
military precision AS they neared the
wharf Barnes suggested that Forward and
Clancy fall in the rear. while he quietly
slipped ahead TO take a survey OF the
river.
The chief moved with catike agility His
7 step was swift and springy. and all OF his
, senses were on the alert Barnes was a
tall, thin. angular man, with the look OF a
farmer dressed In his Sunday clothes His
smooth face was irregular. but singularly
attractive. There were deep burrows over
the bushy eyebrows dark circles beneath
the eontemplative black eyes and a set OF
tiny wrinkles on each side OF the r-ther
large and prominent nose. dimple In the
chin and a pair OF fun lips modified the
austere look which his face habitually