The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-31

Mickey rolled up of the sofa Lem
me see," he said eagerly. The boy had
seemed to be asleep, but he came ana
seized the book with very lively IN
terest And all the other reporters were
interested. too. They laid down their
cards and turned to watch Mickey reao
the passage.
The hero OF the police world was the
chief of detectives, Inspector Foley. He
was very successful; and the whole city
had faith in him. Leading citizens es-
pecially believed in Foley, and he served
them especially well. Many of them
could tell wonderful stories Of his detec-
tive skill. For that matter, however,
Foley himself could tell wonderful sto-
ries of his triumphs, and he did, oftep-
That was one reason why he was a "a
vorite among the newspaper men, Cox
cepting only Mickey Sweeney.
Foley ?" he would say, Foley Is all
front" and he showed very plainly his
unbelief. The inspector noticed it. The
other boys noticed that Foley noticed
because, as they remarked, the iqspec-
tor was "all the time playing TO Mic
key" A pompOus, serious Irlshman,
Foley had need of appreciation, and the
disbelief of Mickey was a discordant
note I'm his world OF rhythmic adInira-
dion And besides. MiCkey-keen,
H'straight" and "wise"-commanded the
respect OF the police
Hes hard to fool" they said, so the
chief Of detectives played to Mickey,
and-in vain. If he had a good story to
tell the reporters of criminal mystery
isolVed he addressed himself to Mickey,
and his only reward was some sighting
remark by the boy.
Foley reads detective stories, and
that's where he gets his
The other reporters suspected that this
was true, but they didn't want to be-
slieve it They admired the great de-
itective too much to care to learn that
hits feet were of clay. So they resisted
IAickey's theories.
One OF Foley's habits which the press
never wearied Of picturing was that OF
taking, in a restaurant or other public
lplace, a seat where, with his back to a
tcorner, he could command the whole
lsituation. II was picturesque; IL s1g-
tgested the eye that never sleeps" and
thus the reporters reported it.
BET he got it out OF book, said
mickey.
Now. Mickey himself never read de-
ltective stories. Make me tired" he
lsaid, so he didn't know; he only
lguessed that Foley "got it out of q
hook" The other fellows challenged
Mickey to produce his proof, and the
controversy was an old one among
them. Hence, then. the eagerness OF
mickey and the interest of the others tc
see whether the inspectors popularity
had really turned UP in book.
1t was there. Mickey read the passage
10 himself, then he turned to the report
er who had found it.
''Where'd you get that bOokf'' hs
asked.
Foley lent it 10 me"
Mickeys triumph was complete, but
he said not a word. The boy had ar
odd way of never rejoicing over you
when he had you beaten. And another
trait Of his-most excellent in a reporter
was to go on getting evidence after
his case was proved. So now he start
ed away.
Where you going, Mick?'' e-of the
card players asked.
''To see If Foley has read the book,
he answered. as he disappeared out o.
the door.
Foley was reading when Mickey wa,
admitted. He was lying on his rec
leather sofa, his coat, collar and boots
off, and, closing the book over his fin
ger, lie looked up over his glasses a.
the reporter. There was no greeting
What We reading, Inspector" the boy
asked
sherlock Holmes" the inspector an
swered.
6nGElOCk E1Dll4ltH- AlNAcg C&
claimed. What you fooling with GUT
like that for?"
The inspector removed his glasses, tn
better TO look at Mickey. and his star
seemed TO call for some answer.
yes, CUFF" Mickey answered.
$50 you have read some Of the ad
ventures Of Sherlock Holiness"
Yes, I've read some Of the fakes o
Sherlock Holmes, and I've written som
of 'em besides, I guess"
Sherlock Holmes is a character Il
fiction" the inspector began in his bes
style. Foley had acquired a certain
dignity of expression which amounts
10 an affectation. But he couldn't sus
tain il long. Once, for example, he pre-
tended to give an order in the presenc
of the reporters to his detective ser
geants. They listened solemnly, bu
they didn't obey, and when the reporter
complained again Foley called the me-
in again before the reporters.
with these gentlemen of the pres
10 bear me witness on Saturday last
commanded you. the members of m
staff, to-" and he quoted his order. S
far he was very formal and dignifeC
But he took a step toward the line 0
detectives and, thrusting out his Jaw
he dropped his affectation. Nov,
said he, "what I'm after aslKin' you i:
y
So ne began with Mickey: "SherlOcl
Holmes is a character in fiction" h
said, Fiction which seems 10 have tn
approval Of our highest class of literar
publications. It is, indeed, fiction, bu
that don't mean that il amt onto tn
biz all right all right" He caught him
self up and proceeded: But what d
you mean, Mr., Sweeney, by saying tina
YOU have written some such storie
yourself? You don't write fiction, d
you?"
"Oh, often" said Mickey, who kneV
that If he didn't smile the inspecto
wouldn't And the inspector didn't
But see here, inspector, you lent
book TO one of the fellows. The Cross O
the Crossroads or something like thai
It's a translation Of a French detectiv
story. Now that's entirely different
Ever read it?"
81 have" said the inspector.
We'll" said Mickey, either that
wrong or Sherlock Holmes is"
Neither is wrong. They are entirel
different kind OF detective work." ant
by way Of penalty for the kind of de
tective work Mickey had been guilt
of, the boy had to listen to a disseTta
ton on police art. which made hiT
tired" And what made him feel tina
way was that Foley should try to foe
him, Mickey, who used to sit with tn
detectives down in the basement, hea
their gossip and thus learn in the mos
indirect and satisfactory way just no,
they went about their work. He stOO