The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-06-03

desire for private conversation was
shared 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 to
the rear of the coach. where she gra-
ciously consented to accept my sympa-
thy and my card. learned that she
was Miss Myrtle Leigh and that she
lived in Syracuse.
t'Do you suppose that dreadful little
boy could have found my ring?" she
asked. And yet how could he?
don't understand 1t at all"
"My suspicious incline in another d.
rection," said l, land for rather an odd
reason"
She begged me to be explicit.
There happens to be on this train,"
said l, "a detective from New York,
really quite a celebrated fellow in his
way. His name is Anderson. know.
him quite well. He passed through
our car 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 to their acquaintance. He
saw and recognized me, of course, and
he also saw and recognized. with quite
different feeling, the man who sat
in front Of you, in seat No. So
"Oh. myv' she exclaimed in a hushed
voice. You don't mean be knew him
for "a criminalv'
''The idea flashed through my mind"
I replied. "You see, I've been about
with Anderson and others of his pro-
fession quite bit for the interest Of
1t, 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 l think I'd
better hunt up Anderson and try to
get a word with him. He's still on the
train, for I've seen him since we left
Utica He went forward just after we
pulled out
Miss Leigh was naturally indisposed
to accuse any one or even to begin a
police investigation under such cir
cumstances, 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
loT1 oh hiY,1y
"I? Blast him.'
''What do you thinkY'
II think he got it.
swell, you're even on that" said
Belden, and the idea seemed to amuse
him.
Nov, look here" said 1; 81 have my
reasons, but there's no time to tell you
what they are. may give you sur
prise presently. You keep your eye on
that panama hat and the grip over
there. This train stops at Glendon. and
we're within two minutes of the place
now. If that fellow tries to get off,
stop him."
"What?" gasped Belden.
"Well, If you 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, but did not find
Anderson. Annoyed by this failure,
returned more slowly, keeping sharp
er eye upon my fellow passengers, but
the detective had disappeared. Obvi-
ously he must have got to 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 stop by the
time that l reached our car, but the
bag and the panama hat were still In
view, and Belden was on guard. Miss
Leigh, however, was not visible. Bel
den said she had gone "aft." ! also
went aft" ! went to the end Of the
train, but did not find Anderson nor
Miss Leigh nor the man from seat No.
5. It seemed to be day when not only