The Elbert County tribune., 1909-06-10

at the age OF 26, that he began to
accumulate a rich store of experience
in dealing with counterfeiters, the
arts of burglars and other varieties
of thieves. and the training thus
acquired was destined to be of
incalculable value to him in
after life. He spent nearly two years
as special agent for the government
and was then persuaded to go to
Erie. Pa, where. during his early days
on the lakes, he had made many
friends. Mr.. Thomas Crawley was
chief Of the Erie police force at that
time and at his invitation Murray be-
QNe detective under him.
hortly after his arrival there a
wave of sneak-thieving swept over the
town and assumed very serious proper
tions. Even the furniture of private
houses disappeared as if by magic
Clothing took to itself wings and
vanished into the great unknown.
Ploughs made strange and unaccount-
able exits from the farmers fields
leaving no trace behind. Horses can
tered away unseen by their owners
and their stables knew them no more
Whole contents of stores were carried
off, and from one of them 20 dozen
pairs Of shoes appeared to have walk
ed into oblivion III the full glare of
noon. 1t was all SO mysterious as to
be almost amusing-except to the un-
happy losers and the outraged mem
bers of the police force who were to-
tally unable to appreciate the humor
of the situation.
Finally Murray met farmer who had
seen fellow drive by his house in a
new democrat" about the time that
Tolwarthy's wagon disappeared, and
the description of both wagon and
driver convinced him that he was at
last upon the right track. Accom-
panied by Crawley and an officer
named Snyder, Murray hired a team
and drove along the road the stranger
hVR followed with the missing wagon.
Fdv fully 10 miles they travelled. stop
ping at every farm, but found nothing
to reward their exertions. Deciding to
feed and rest their horses they turned
on the main road. and in a secluded
clearing with several acres of pine
woods around it perceived a lone
house.
No one was in sight, but in re-
sponse to a hail a buxom woman,
about rs years old, made her appear
ance and inquired If the party want
ed anything. Chief Crawley asked
for the man of the place, saying that
he wanted to feed his horses The
woman whistled shrilly, and from be-
hind clump of bushes near the
man about so years of age. The in
slant Murray saw the newcomer his
eyes frightened. The boys description
of the stranger who left the ancient
wagon in the shed exactly fitted the
mar who stood before him.
What is your name," Murray asked.
George Knapp" replied the with
cred individual
Have you lived here long?"
me and my wife have been here
about year." was the reply.
rs that your wife," inquired the de-
tective, glancing at the young woman
who was standing in the doorway of
the house.
Knapp grinned and nodded assent
He was not disposed to be commuui-
cauve and his eyes twinkled cum
niDgly as they met Murray's steadfast
gaze.
The detective yawned and looked
around in a nonchalant. uninterested
fashion Presently he returned to the
attack.
Have you seen anything of a
stranger driving past here in a new
1ofa avxx1D J.
but Knapp shook his head.
81 amt seen anyone drivin' past
here" he responded. Not likely that
! would either. for there's no place to
drive to. seein' that this is the end
of the road"
Plainly Mr. Knapp was armed at all
points against curious seekers for in
formation. The officers proceeded to
make thorough search of the prem
ises but their explorations of barn,
house and outbuildings proved fruit
less. Murray. however, felt intuitively
that the willy Mr.. Knapp was not as
innocent as he would have them be-
Iieve Stro,l.ng past the barn and
surveying tho ground carefully the de-
tective took Lote of a stretch of clear
ed land running down to the creek
and saw that the sod had recently
been turned in one or two places.
Slight indications frequently lead to
big results and a sudden suspicion
flashed across Murray's mind.
Knapp" he said pleasantly. Il
mean to Try my hand at fishing in that
creek Lend me spade"
What do you want with a spade?"l
asked Knapp, Tightening his lips.
ITO dig bait with. Of course" re-