The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-08

Columbia. Following instructions,
she registered as Miss Annie Dow,
S. c." as the Columbia inn. Follow
ing instructions further. she managed
to have the proprietor assign her to
room Is. This o was to the right
OF the first stairway below the office
entrance. Room 10 adjoined this
room, Immediately in the rear, with
q door connecting the two rooms.
The Trap Set.
Inspector Gregory, who had arriv-
ed in Columbia in the meantime on
request Of the editor of The State, ar
ranged with Mr.. Monckon, proprietor
Of the Columbia inn, to place him in
room Is without putting his name on
the register.
Inspector Gregory gave Miss Dow"
further instructions as to how to act
when the agent of the Wallace
Amusement Co., put in his appear
ance. He outlined the plan of work
o Mr.. Monkton, who readily promised
TO assist in every way possible. Mr..
Gregory, not knowing at what hour
l"Mr. Van Bureau" or the agent"
Of the alleged show company would
likely put in an appearance, entered
the hotel at 3 o'clock through a rear
entrance and secreted himself in
room Is, putting down the ructatns
and darkening the room as much
as possible. Miss Dow" did not
90 down to the dining room for her
meals but had them sent to her room,
it being desired hat the should not
come into contact with the man who
was to meet her except in the room
where all ARRANGEMENTS had been
made for trapping him.
At five o'clock Inspector Gregory
was clipped off" by Mr.. Monckton
that George A. Bristow, who worked
at the lunch counter at the union
tation, was in all probability the man
who was conducting this scheme.
Bristow had been stopping at the ho-
tel every night almost for two weeks
and had spoken to the night clerk,
Mr.. Mcintosh, about a woman
whom he was expecting, giving her
name to him as Mrs. Dow and tell
ing him that she was a wealthy young
widow and that she had offered him
a position to travel with and look
after an invalid son. Mr.. Monckton
had also noticed actions of Bristow's
which might indicate that he might
be the man.
Bristow in the Game.
After being Joined by a representa-
tive Of The State Inspector Gregory,
waited for the agent" For about
an hour there was nothing but still
ness to reward the watchers in is,
Then a knock came at the door and
Pete, a porter who knows a thing or
two, whispered to Mr.. Gregory a mes
sage from Mr.. Monkton to he effect
sage that man" had come in the
hotel and asked about Miss Dow"
in room 16. In just a few minute
the door to the stairway below creak-
ed and then closed and some one
came tripping up the stairs, whtstling
a gay air.
He was heard to pause about mid
way of the flight of stairs and to call
out, in an apparently careless sort OF
way, loud enough to be heard In the
room Occupied by the young lady:
Come on, Van Burean!" The man
came on up stairs and went In room
IA. After about ten minutes he went
back downstairs. Bristow then sent
the young lady the following note:
Columbia, s. c., March 26. 1908.
Miss Dow: If you are the young
lady who wishes to see the advance
agent Of the Wallace Amusement Co.,
[ have been instructed to see you,
and as not to attract attention, will
you be ready in a few minutes to
take a car ride around the belt and I
shall be pleased to explain the bust
ness to you If I have made a mis-
take please pardon me Mr.. Van
Bureau has gone to Atlanta to join
the show and l have full instructions
to act. Please let me know by the
porter.
Respectfully,
Geo. A. Bristow."
She informed the porter to tell Mr..
Bristow that she could not go out
with him, but If he wished to see her
he would have to come to her room.
The porter went back and delivered
the message. Bristow then asked per-
mission of Mr.. Monckton to call up
on the young lady in her room.
Mr.. Monckton explained to him that
he did not allow gentlemen to call
upon ladies In their room at his no.
tel, but (by agreement with Mr..
Gregory he told Bristow that II he
Jished to see her strickly on business,
as he stated, he would allow him to
go up, but advised him not to stay
too long.
Goes to the Room.
Bristow then went up stairs and
knocked at the young lady's room
door. The door was then opened and
then came: SIS this Miss Dow" All
Affirmative answer came from the
young lady and then Mr.. Bristow
started out by telling her how sor-
roy he was that "Mr. Van Bureau"
had to go out of the city, etc. He
again made the proposition to go
out for a car ride, saying that 1t
would be hard to place the PROPOSE
ton nloarl1, hafnra hor &c Mr. Mnnck-