The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-08
By H. H. HUDSON.

To the casual observer there was
nothing in the appearance of the
man who entered the elevator to at
tract attention. To the criminal
world, however, the mention of his
name caused the boldest to tremble.
There was an alertnes about the
eye and a suggestion of strength
in the broad shoulders and sinewy
form which proclaimed their pos
SCISSOR no ordinary being. He was
in fact Ned Nerve, the detective.
1t was the morning following one
of the boldest robberies in the city's
history. The home of Max Million,
the banker, had been broken into
and considerable jewelry had been
taken. There was but one man
who could clear up the matter, and
that was the man who had just en-
tered the elevator in disguise.
Upon reaching the inner office the
sleuth snuffed some cocaine and
quickly APPLIED the hypodermic.
Great clouds of tobacco smoke soon
floated over his head. He was think
ing. His reputation was at stake.
Among the stolen articles was a
beautiful pearl necklace valued at
$4,000. The manner in which the
crime had been committed pointed
to but one. Tom Thug had success
fully evaded the authorities for
years. The police had been notified
and a dragnet had instantly been
thrown out. The further detail of
landing the criminal had been left
to the unerring skill of the detec-
tive.
The sleuth's meditations were in
terrupted. A caller was announced.
Miss Facsimile, the actress, enter
ed. In an excited manner she stated
that she had lost pearl necklace
the night before on her way from
the theater, and that she would
gladly offer reward of $500 for its
recovery. The detective accepted a
retainer to pay for advertising and
getting out circulars. His mind
easily took in the situation. His
client had read the morning paper.
1t was advertising she wanted. He
would waste no time on her case.
The man of affairs relaxed into
profound reverie during which his
ordinary faculties slumbered while
the subconsciOus mind grew active.
Tom Thug had not been idle. His
ready wit caught the cue of oppor-
tunity as his eye spied the adver-
tisement of the actress which ap-
peared later Hurrying to the print
err he ordered cards which read:
The Ned Nerve Detective Agency
Jim Slick. Division Superinten-
dent" Armed with a card the
thief made haste to the home Of
the actress. He announced that
the necklace had been found and
claimed the reward, the same to
be paid and the jewels delivered at
the trust company's office at IL
O'Clock. He would thus avoid the
risk of trying to dispose of his
goods at the pawnshops.
After his departure, Miss Fac
smile notified Ned Nerve that his
agent had brought her the good
news and that she had arranged to
meet him. Then she began to de-
liberate. Having lost no necklace,
she would be compelled to provide
for any emergency. She could pur-
chase an artificial necklece and
then claim that she had found the
misplaced article-but no, there
was the better way of making
$1,000. She would go to the bank
and claim the genuine.
After listening to the telephone
communication of the actress, the
detective hung up the receiver and
began to pace up and down the
room. He then donned a disguise.
The hour and come to act. He
sauntered over to the bank and saw
the actress inspect the jewels; but
as she was making out her check
he also saw jim Slick exchange the
necklace for the artificial set which
he had recently purchased. "a
AS the actress left the trust COM
pany's office, the detective stepped
forward and placed his hand on the
shoulder of the criminal. You
thought that by acting as my agent
you could deceive me-" he said,
while the criminals face blanched
before the fire of his glance. There
is but one course for you to pursue
Indorse that check to me at once
and hand over the genuine pearls
which you stole from the home of
Mrs. Million"
The request was complied with
without murmur. Then the great
detectives heart softened. Tom
Thug. you are in the wrong bust
ness. Now go. and never enter this