Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-09-27
APT V.
SIMMONDS SNAREs a Bird.

know. But they're mighty nice people
he is, anyway don't see much o.
her-cept when she rings fer me t tell
me they amt enough heat"
How long have you been here?"
About three Weeks-an' he's a gen
tleman. That there Thompson, now-I
was leery about lettin' him nave tn
rooms i'm tn first place. didn't like
his looks. But he offered { pay in adj
vance. l was goin' t give him notice
in tn mornin'. TIL agent won't stand
for no sech goin's-nn."
Was he in the habit OF getting
drunk?"
"Oh, he's been comfortable tanked
ever since he's been here-I could smell
it on him-but never so bad as might.
We can't have that here-our other peo-
pie wouldn't stand it,"
Are all the apartments occupied ?"
"No-y' see. they've been ~remodellin'
tn house. tearin' 1t all apart, turnin'
it inside out. 1t used L be a hotel an
a damn poor one. 1t wasn't maxim
any money, so tn guy that owns it
thought he'd turn it int an apart
ment house. The men hat was
a-workin' on ii got three scots
done, an then around come a
Watkin' delegate with a red nose an
a big black mustache, an ordered 'em
out on a strike. Them three that's
done are all full, though. Thompson
had one; Trcmaine an his wifc's got
another, an two young sports what
re lettin' on { study art s got tn third
away UP at tn top with a skylight."
Godfrey smoked on placidly. He sus-
pected that Higgins had something
more to tell, and he saw that the only
way TO get 1t was to wait with what
patience ne could. He was in no hurry:
besides he wanted time to think He
had not yet recovered from that shock
Of realizing how he had gone wandering
after a will-o'-wisp of his own creation.
He had fancied himself astute. +
The door opened; he heard Higgins
utter a sharp cry of Amusement. He
looked UP to see Simmonds-and with
him another man. heavy set. with a
dark mustache. He caught the CLEAN
of steel at his wrists.
Higgins was on his feet, staring.
s you recognize him, do you?"
asked Simmonds, his face shining with
triumph. Il thought | couldn't be
wrong. l got him quicker n / expected.
Godfrey; / didn't even have to hunt for
him. OF course, o know him?"
How do you do, Mr.. Godfrey" said
the prisoner politely. "Oh. yes. Mr..
Godfrey knows me-he knows me too
Well to think I'd be mixed up In my
thing like this!"
How are you, jimmy" returned
Godfrey. mo, / didn't suppose"
"Of course not" aid Jimmy, with
scorn. | wouldn't put a man out-that
amt my line" And, indeed, is wasn't,
for Jimmy the Dude had gained his rep
utation rs an expert manipulation of
combination locks.
The detective had listened with a sat
isfied smile.
Higgins" he said, this is the fellow
who brought Thompson home, amt
hep
Yes, sir" responded the janltor in
articulately.
This" observed Jimmy, with fine
Indignation, lis what a mar gets for
doing a good action. / found that cove
over at Magraw's just spoilin' for trou-
Bile, and o him in tow and brought
him nome. Now you say / put him
out! I'd better have kept my hands
Off"
We all know you've got a kind
heart, Jimmy" retorted Simmonds.
Did he nave anything in his pockets
besides that key?"
What key?"
THE key to his room; of course you
took that"
Q course / did" sale Jimmy, with
deep irony. why, of course did.
You'll find it on me-
"Oh, no, we won't" returned Sim
monds, still smiling. i've a much bet
ter opinion of o han that, jimmy
why look here" cried Jimmy seem
ingly deeply exasperated, what d /
want to put him out for? Did he have
any Dough-"
You probably know more about that
than we do" answered Simmonds, with
meaning.
You mean / went through him
Well. l didn't! But If i did, what 81
| want Z come back and kill him
for" ?
"Of course" murmured Simmonds.
gazing meditatively at the ceiling, its
quite possible that he'd drop a word
about the pile he had sailed down in
his room"
"Oh, hell" said Jimmy. "A bum like
that But come; let's see how far you'll
go-of course you've got II figured out.
How did l work it? Mr.. Higgins, here,
saw me leave the building"
mo, he didn't jimmy corrected
Simmonds, gently. He only saw you
start for the street door. But as soon
as the elevator started you % to the
stairs
Jimmy threw up his hands with a fine
gesture Of despair.
"Oh. you've got 1t all fixed.'' he cried.
You'll railroad me to the chair IL you
cam. j suppose you've got somebody
that1l swear they saw me do it,"
Yes agreed Simmonds quietly. I'VE
have"
Jimmy paused to look at him and
turned a little pale when he saw he
was In earnest. He began to realize
that perhaps he was really in a tight
place.
Come, Mr.. Simmonds,' he said, at
last. you on't mean that
You ought to know. I'll have you
identified tomorrow"
'Identifed?"
"Yes-by the woman who saw you
kill Thompson
"A woman Is it," asked Jimmy help
lessly. "Mebbe she's already been sc
obligin' as TO give you my name?"
No; but she gave us a description
of you--a mighty good one. / spotted
you as soon as l heard Higgins story"
80 Mr.. Higgins had a tale to tell.
too. did hep" asked the craftsman. with
a somewhat venomous glance at the
~janitor. WAS he also on the Gene?
Or mebbe he was lookin' through the
transom?"
mo cause to get funny, Jimmy. You
won't feel that way after ! get through
with you"
"Oh, won't r? We all know you're
a bright man Mr.. S~immonds."