Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-06


desire for private conversation was
sharcd by her. She must have been
perfectly sure that the ring was not on
the floor, for she abandoned the spot
without hesitation and followed me 10
the rear 81 the coach. where she gla
ciously consented TO accept my synpa-
thy and my card learned that she
was Miss Myrtle Leigh and that she
lived in Syracuse
DO YOU suppose that dreadful little
boy could have found my ring" she
asked And yet how could he;
don't understand It at all"
My suspicious incline In another di
rectlon." said |, and FOR rather an odd
reason"
She begged me to be explicit
There happens 70 be on this train.
said |. "a detective from New York
really quite celebrated fellow in his
way His name is Anderson. | know
him quite well He passed through
our ear just after We left Albany, but
did not make any Sign Of recognition
because he didn't That's the etiquette
with detectives. They share with la
dies the precedence in the matter OF
bowling 10 their acquain,anceS He
saw and recognized me. Of course. and
he also saw and recognized. with quite
different feeling the man VIII" sat
in front Of YOU. in seat No. %
"Oh. my she exclaimed In a hushed
voice "You don't mean he knew him
for IA criminal"
THE idea flashed through my mind
| replied You see. I've been about
with Anderson and others Of his pro.
fesslon quite a bit for the interest Of
II. and know their ways. OF course
this is rather a Wild accusation, for
upon my word, don't see how the fell
low could have got the ring without
your seeing him, and yet ! think Id
better hunt up Anderson and try TO
get word with him He's still on the
train. for I've seen him since we left
pulled out"
Miss Leigh was naturally indispoSed
To accuse any one or even 10 begin
police investigation under such cir
cumstanees. but she agreed with me
that Mr. AndersOn's advice would Ger
tainly be helpful
The man whose reputation | had SO
recklessly assailed was not In view
when Miss Leigh and returned to our
seats Belden told me that he had
gone forward. and he added. with a
laugh, He thinks you got It"
II? Blast him.
"What do you think
II think he got H.
well, you're even on that" said
Belden. and the idea seemed to amuse
him.
Vow, look here" said ! Il have my
reasons. but there's no time 20 tell you
what they are. | may give you II sur.
prise presently You keep your eye on
that panama hat and the grip over
there This train stops at Glendon. and
were within two minutes OF the place
now. II that fellow tries 20 get OF.
stop him"
WHAT" gasped Belden.
We'll, II sou don't dare do that. de
lay him Keep your eye on him. I'll be
back inside the two minutes"
hurried forward through the train,
which was already slowing down for
the Glendon station. hut did not lind
Anderson Annoyed by this failure.
returned more slowly, keeping a sharp
err eye upon my fellow passengers. but
the detective had disappeared Obvi-
ously he must have got 10 the rear OF
the train without my seeing him per.
haps while and the others were paw
ing around on the floor and humping
one another's head.
The train had come to a stop by the
time that reached our car but the
bag and the panama hat were still In
view. and Belden was on guard Miss
Leigh. however. WINS not visible. Bel
den said she had gone aft" ! also
went aft" went 10 the end OF the
train. but did not find Anderson nor
Miss Leigh nor the man from seat No.
o. II seemed TO be a day when not only