The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1907-11-01

I hook for Mansfield, though quite IN
conscious OF what he was doingT
81 see; but how did his hat get into
the river, l wonderT'
He had smoked his last cigar, n
wanted another. He went to buy one,
meaning to come directly back, but 1t
was a hot night and he turned down
m the water front, thinking it might
be cooler. There is a poor wretch
down there, who, for a quarter, will
tell o how he lost his hat while lean
ing over the rail. 1t was then, In my
Judgment, that his memory left him.
When the mind Is Just on the balance,
a very little thing will topple it over
as well as a hat"
"But this doesn't find Mr.. Cheese
mans paper, sir; does itT
"No; we'll let Mr.. Cheeseman find
that himself. Do you want to go with
me1'
'If you please; 1 am curious"
They took a cab to Cannon street,
and found Tarrant's excitable client
pacing up and fro in a state Of dis
tresa He welcomed Tarrant with
efusIon- Have you any good news
for me7' he cried
The detective smiled that bland Ind
non-committal smile Of his.
81 think" he cried, you told me
that your appointment after you left
Brinstalr last Friday had nothing to
do with the Terrivale coal mine lease"
Nothing whatever, 1 do assure
you"
well; 1t is very queer that you
have missed the connection, Ar.
Cheeseman."
but that is ridiculous, Mr.. Tar
rant. I tell you"
Tarrant stopped his protestatioRs
with a gesture. Suppose l prove a
connection to your satisfaction; what
would you giveT"
"A thousand dollars"
The detective turned to the inspec-
tor, saying, Now, see what over-con-
fdence will bring a man to-" and
then, to his client, he added, at won't
cost you 50 much as that, Mr.. Cheese
man. Have you those debentures and
share certificates here?"
Yes; still In my safe"
Look them over, please, carefully"
Mr.. Cheeseman opened his safe, took
put a packet, secured by a rubber
band, ran them over slowly, and. when
be reached the last, stood staring at
1t in dumb amazement.
You have found the document, Mr..
CheesemanT" asked Tarrant, quietly.
yet you would have sworn that you
left 1t locked in your private box at
Brinstair's Office. You had forgotten
that, after 1t had been restored to the
box and just al you were leaving, In
a great hurry to keep your appoint
ment (for which you were already
late), a question arose which made an
other glance at the paper advisable.
1t was taken from It's place, examined
nc doubt hastily, while your mind was
intent on the subject Of the coming ap-
pointment You, perhaps looked at
your watch while you held the paper
in your hand and rushed away, after
your manner, quite unconscious that
you took the lease with you"
Its marvellous" murmured Mr..
Cheeseman, grasping his recovered
treasure.
mo-" said Tsrrant; II don't solve
marvels, only very ordinary mysteries
Your little laDse OF memory was not
50 serious as Brinstalr's, but there is
a certain analogy"
STILL" remarked the Inspector, as
he walked away with Tarrant; "I
don't quite see how you jumped to the
conclusion that Mr.. Cheeseman had
brought the document away
his Offices"
by the very simple process an
Tarrant, "of eliminating every
other way of accounting for its dis
appearance. 1t was not among hla
other papers at Brinstair's Office, nor
n the satchel Brinstair had packed
TO take away with him. The nRdlnx
Of Brinstalr at Mansfield proved that
had neither run away nor beea the
Tictim Of foul play, and there was not
Scintilla Of evidence OF an attempt 20
steal the paper. Then Nj. Cheessnan
must have taken it himself, and the
of his nerves Is quite sufficient
accOunt for his complete Ignorance
II having done Bo."-PenAsylvania
Irit.