Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-12-09
A CLEW
By ALLAN C. LAMOND
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

fore midnight. One evening | went
to sleep at my work. aud the foreman
told me to go home and to bed. II was
0 O'clock and there was little cnahce
of the others getting away till ii.
Going to the coat room. took down
my overcoat, put it on and thrustins
nv hand into Il pocket for my gloves.
pulled out package done up In brown
paper. Unroling it. saw a timex
layer of bank bills.
I looked about me and, seeing that
was alone in the room. rerolled the
package and put it back in my pocket
Having taken this precaution IN
stinctively, began to consider the SIT
uation. 1t was evident that mistake
had been made. But what mistake!
Had the owner of the bills been mad
vertently using my coat and put his
money in my pocket, thinking 1t was
his own, or had he thrust them In
hurriedly rs it hung on the hook?
Were they his own. or had he come by
them dishonesty?
Here q new idea came to me. He,
might have stolen the bills and put
them temporarily where they would
not compromise him. If so he would
probably come for them.
Young as | was. | recognized the i'm
| . Il yf,tuht N
pirate the money TO my own use.
had no intention of doing so. A dread
came to me that if the money had been
stolen and 1t were found in MY pocket
l would have to go to state prison.
/ decided quickly what | would do
and did it at once. | carried the coat
into the counting room where found
| the treasurer of the company, MIR.
Humber and handed him the package.
He opened ii and his eyes at the same
time. counted the bills and quick as a
fash said to me: go hang your coat
where it hung before. But stop mo-
ment The package filled with ordi-
nary paper must be in it. There: that
will do Now carry the coat back,
hang it up and take position where
you will be hidden and watch and see
who takes the property. don't wish
to have any one else in the secret at
present and rely upon you to be
watchful. These notes have been stol-
en- from this Office. and it is of the ut
most Importance that we discover the
thief"
ran back with the coat, put it on
its hook among number Of others
and, ensconscing myself behind door
opening against corner of the room,
stood ready for the spying. soon
tired of standing and took 4 seat on
the floor. there being just room enough
for me to sit.
An hour passed, and. though several
persons came in for their coats, none
took mine. Then there was a long in
terval, during which no one came. Be-
fore that interval was broken l had
fallen asleep. Awaklng with a start,
| looked for my overcoat Running to
it. ] thrust my hand into the pocket
where the dummy had been put.
1t was impossible for me to face Mr..
Humber that night. Taking the over
coat with me, went home to find my
mother and sister waiting for me.
They were both very much troubled
at my appearance and greatly excited
when told them the story.
went to bed but all desire to sleep
had been driven out Of me. re-
mained awake till dawn, and my
mother awakened me half an hour
later.
Get up, my SON." she said. Eve
have a clew TO the thief"
sprang out Of bed dressed and
after swallowing cup Of coffee went
to the factory When Mr. Humber
saw me he looked relieved
II thought you had failed me-" he
e said.
| told him the story Of my going tC
sleep on watch. Then added.
"My sister found a clew In the pock
S ct of the coat last night after Went
to he'd. She will not trust me with Il
after 'oy carelessness last night, bu
says She will give 1t to any one yot
, may send for It,"
"rll 20 myself" he said. Come
p show me the way"
l led him to my. home, and few
10 moments later Maggie came down will
a bit Of white folded paper in he
= hand
Last night" she said to Mr.. Hum
o ber after my brother had gone {,
e bed | instinctlvely took up the Goa
), and examined II thoroughly, thrustlnl
+ my hand In every pocket successfully
When from the right lower pocket
= where he tells me the package wa
placed. withdrew my hand notice,
hair that had been caught between
two Of my fingers. Here It is"
She opened the paper very CAREFUL.
| and showed him the hair. 1t was
tiery red,
"Goodw said Mr.. Humber. 81 thin
e that YOU, might as well have shown m
Il the thief"
/. He rcfolded the paper about the hal
I.....f q. o.. a.