Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-03-08
THE TWO
DETECTIVES
BY WARREN GRANT FOX
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation IQft

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waiting for a train. A man sat near
me. but didn't look at him. All re-
membered afterward was that he was
= man. Presently turned and saw
on the seat where he had been a
rectangular package. l looked about
for its owner. but could see no one
who appeared to have missed 1t.
took it up. not doubling for a moment
that the person who had left it would
come back for it. But although re-
manned there some time no one came
Then opened the package, which
proved to be box containing jewels
1t was plain to me that they were of
considerable value.
While | was looking at them two
men came up to me. Seeing them ap-
,proach, closed the box, but they told
me to open it, and as soon as they
saw its contents congratulated each
other on finding. as they expressed 1t.
the Huntington jewels" They be-
lieved the story I told them Of how
! had come into their possession. FOR"
they said. 1.-The man who has stolen
them would not be examining them
In public place" They had received
orders to watch this station for the
thief, and he. doubtless suspecting
that he would not be permitted to
leave 1t without being searched. in
order to avoid being caught with the
plumber on him had left 1t on the seat
"Let us act like friends met by
chance" said one Of them. for the
fellow is doubtless watching us. his
intention being to shadow you and
trick you out. of them"
SO put the box in my pocket, and
the two men went away. remained
a few minutes longer. then left the sta
ton and went home. was quite sure
l was followed not only by the thief,
but by the two detectives. but wheth-
er the former knew anything about
the latter | did not know. had not
been at home ten minutes when there
was ring at my doorbell and the
detectives entered.
well" said the spokesman. II think
we may at once turn In the jewels.
The thief doubtless has marked your
house and will try, either BY diplo-
macy or stealth. to get possession of
them. You'd better be prepared for
him tonight: he may break in to your
house and try to get them by force"
I'm always prepared for such
things" l replied. and. pulling out
drawer from a cabinet, took UP six
shooter.
Good for you" said one Of the men.
II don't think any one breaking into
your house will get much. Let me
have the jewels. I'll take them to the
police station. and II you'll call tomor-
row ! dare say you'll be paid hand
some reward by the owner"
"All right" replied. but you must
give me some evidence that you're au-
thorized to receive them"
"Authorizedr" exclaimed the spokes-
man. I'VE have found you in possess
sion of the property. and it's our duty
to run you in with the jewels. But
you've told SO straight story that we
don't wish to Inconvenience you. II
you don't give up the stolen goods
we'll have to take you along"
Ell 60 with you willingly" said.
For the first time a suspicion came
to me that possibly these detec-
tives might put me in hole. When
| said that would go willingly they
gave each other look. 1t seemed to
me that they didn't wish me TO go
with them: they preferred to take the
gems themselves. They went into an
other room for consultation. This
! proved to me conclusively that they
were not detectives. but very likely
had themselves stolen the jewels. that
they had feared arrest and had taken
this method of getting their plumber
out Of the station When they return
ed I had slipped the revolver up my
sleeve One of them stepped to the
telephone and called for carriage.
I Now. Ii he had called for police
patrol wagon should have known
that he was a bona fide officer. As 1t
was. knew he wasn't; that they
were going to pretend to take me In
carriage to station. but really to Sc
cure the Jewels on the way.
When the carriage arrived I had
backed into a corner. They told me
to come with them. but instead of do
ing so I shouted Hands up!' and
pointed my weapon toward them. For
tunately they were very near together
and could cover both at one time.
One of them put his hands up at once.
but the other made move or his
hand to his hip. shivered the hand
with a bullet. and the bloody hand
went up Immediately. Then, backing
to the telephone. held both men In
position while called up the police.
MY two detectives were In box. I
could kill them II they moved. and II
they didn't make move to get away
they would go to the penitentiary. But
It was with them a choice between
100 hos vSptc