Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-28
 Martin Hewitt, Investigator. The Loss of Sammy Crockett. By ARTHUR MORRISON. Published by Arrangement With
 Harper & Brothers.
By ARTHUR MORRISON.
Published by Arrangement With
 Uarper & Brothers.


 o any and every class of people and to be able to interest himself in telligently. or to appear to do so, in their various pursuits. In one of the most important cases ever placed in his hands he could have gone but a short way toward success had he not displayed some knowledge of the more sordid aspects of professional sport.
 The great case itself had nothing to do with sport and, indeed, from mar rative point of view was somewhat un- interesting, but the man who alone held the one piece of information want ed was keeper, packer or 'gaffer' of professional pedestrians, and it was through the medium of his pecuniary in terest in such matters that Hewitt was enabled to strike bargain with him.
 The man was publican on the out skirts of Padfield, a northern town pretty famous for its sporting tastes, and to Padfeld therefore Hewitt be- took himself, and, arrayed in way to indicate some inclination of his own toward sport, he began to frequent the bar of the Hare and Hounds. Kentish, the landlord, was stout, bull necked man of no great communieativeness at first, but after a little acquaintance he opened out wonderfully, became quite a jolly (and rather intelligenb companion and came out with innumer- able anecdotes of his sporting adven- lures. Good terms with Mir. Kentish was Hewitt's great desire, for the in- formation he wanted was of sort that could never be extracted by casual questioning, but must be a matter of open communication by the publican,
 Look here" said Kentish one day, "Ill put you on to good thing, my boy-a real good thing. Of course you know all about the Padfield 135 yards handicap being run off now"
 "Well, I haven't looked into it much," Hewitt replied, Ran the first round of heats last Saturday and Monday, didn't they?"
 . "They did. Well'-Kentish spoke in . stage whisper as he leaned over and rapped the table-"I've got the final winner in this house." He nodded his head, took a puff at his cigar and added in his ordinary voice, Don't say noth- ing"
 "No, of course not. Got something on, of course"
 Rather! What do you think? Got any price liked. Been saving him up for this. Why, he could win runnin' back'ards. He won his heat on Mon- day like-like-like thatw The gaffer snapped his fingers in default of bet ter illustration and went on: "You take my tip-back him for his heat next Saturday in the second round and for the final. You'll get a good price for the final if you pop it down at once. But don't go makin' a song of 1t, will you, now?"
 Thanks very much. It's awfully good of you. I'll do what you advise. But isn't there a dark horse anywhere else?"
 Not dark to me, my boy; not dark to me. I know every man runnin' like book. Old Taylor-him over at the Cop-he's got very good lad, and he's a tryer this time. I know, but, bless you, my lad could beat him without trying. You back him."
 T shall if you're as sure as that But who is hef'
 "0h, Crockett's his name-Sammy Crockett. He's quite new lad. I've got young Steggles looking after him. Sticks to him like wax. Takes his lit. tie breathers in my bit O ground at the back here. I've got a cinder sprint path there over behind the trees. l don't let him out O sight much, can tell you. He's a straight lad, and he knows it Fl be worth his while to stick to me, but there's some 'ud poison him If they thougit he'd spoil their books. T
 Soon afterward the two strolled to- ward the taproom. q expect Sammy I'll be there," the landlord said. with Steggles. I don't hide him too much they'd think I'd got something extra | On if I did"
 Tn the taproom sat lean, wire drawn looking youth with slopinG shoulders and a thin face, and by his side was a rather short thick sci man who had an odd air. no matter what he did. of proprietorship and sur velllance of the lean youth. Several other men sat about. and there was loud laughter, under which the lean { youth looked sheepishly angry.
 "'Tarn't no good. sammy, lad some one was saying. '.you a-makln ' after Nancy Webb. She'll ha' nowt tc | do with 'ee."
 What about Nancy Webbf' asked kentish. pushIng open the door "Sammy's all right, anyway. You keeT fit, my lad. an go on improving. and some day you'll have as good a house { as me. NeTer mind the lasSes. Come out now" He nodded to steggles who rose and marched Sammy Crock ett away for exercise.
 ' On the following afternoon it was Thursday as Hewitt and Kentish chat ted h the landlords own snuggey steggles burst into the room in q great state of agitation and spluttered out. 'He-he's bolted; gone awayI' | 'whatT'
 "Sammy-gone! Hooked 1t! I cant find him"
 The landlord stared bIankly at tho ' trainer. who stood with q sweater dangling from bis hand and stared blankly back. What d'ye meanT ' Kgntish said at last Don't be fool He's fn the place sOmewhere. Fint