Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-08-08
AMOS CLUB, DETECTIVE
Copyright. by shortstory Pub. Coz
BY SWIFT ADAMS


eyes and fair complexion all harmon
lied so peculiarly and completely that
he seemed always to surrender his in
dividuality to his surroundings. This
was infinitely useful to him in his pro-
fession. The delicacy and ingenuity
with which he had unkinked innumer-
able embarrassing and important PROB
a consulting detective that was by no
means confined to New York city.
One July morning as he en-
tered his Office he gave an ex-
clamation of surprise. Pacing up and
down the room in considerable agita-
ton was a young woman whom he in
stantly recognized as daughter of a
prominent family. For the purposes
of this narrative she will borrow the
patronym of Robinson.
You are Mr. Clubb?" she asked,
turning quickly at his entrance.
II am he, madam" replied the de-
tective. please be seated"
Il have been very badly frightened"
began the young woman, who seemed
more perplexed than disturbed. yet
it isn't much of q story have to tell.
But will describe what has happened
to me, and III be as brief about it as
I can.
Tuesday morning came down
town to do some shopping. AS went
into Blues Broadway store / noticed
that a man looked at me very closely.
He was short, ford, and had heavy
brown beard. His eyes were hidden
behind big goggles. OF course, /
didn't notice all these things the first
time l saw him. But subsequent
events prompted me to look at him
more closely. l stayed in that store
about half an hour. When l came out
he was still lettering about the door.
| got into my motor car and we went
to Browns. When we arrived there
l was very much surprised to see
lounging in front Of the store the very
same fellow. He turned away when
l looked at him sharply"
Probably passed you in an automo-
bile" observed Club, regarding his
client closely.
But I'm sure that he didn't" cried
the young woman. II naturally looked
for an automobile, when l saw him
there. There was none in sight and
I'm sure / would have noticed him II
he had passed me in one. When /
came out of Browns the chap was still
there. / went to Green's for luncheon,
and when ] got out of my car, there
he was again! l can tell you, Mr..
Club, l was puzzled and just a lit
tie frightened. 1t was not only that he
had followed me that perplexed me so.
But how could he know just where /
was going and how could he get there
ahead of me every time? My machine
is usually fast and my chauffeur is a
daring one. Besides, I watched for
him in all the automobiles l saw. Yet
how else could he pass me?
Il went home, and that was the last
I saw of the fellow on Tuesday. But
now he has played his extraordinary
game for three days. I'm not timid,
but l admit that this has made me
dreadfully nervous. Last night the
mystery of the thing became intoler-
able to me and determined to see you
the first thing this morning. And here
l am
AS the young woman finished her
story she leaned back in her chair
with an air of relieved expectancy.
You did quite right to come to me-"
said the detective, after pause. Your
story is strange enough, and imagine
the chap has a definite purpose in fol-
lowing you. Yet / am not inclined to
think, from your story, that his motive
is wrong one"
81 should hate to think So"
Has any one ever annoyed you be-
fore?"
Never"
Pardon an impertinent question,
but is there IA disappointed lover,
or anything of that sort?"
MOI"
Club rubbed his chin nervously. 81
WISH" he said, that you would send
up your chauffeur. l want to borrow
his coat and cap. l have some things
here he can wear home. / know some
thing about motor cars-and l should
rather like to get glimpse of this
singular fellow who so mysteriously
follows, or shall l say precedes, you"
IL fancy you will have no trouble,
then" replied his client. II found him
outside waiting for me when / came
here this morning"
"You amaze me-" said Club. spring-
ing to his feet. please send up your
man at once"
When the detective stepped out of
the elevator a few moments later he
was a counterpart of the professional
chauffeur who, short time before,
had entered 1t. His client, in her car,
made little motion toward a man
lounging against the building. The de-
tective barely glanced at the fellow,
and strobe rapidly up to the car.
did you say Green's, madam" said