The Yale expositor., 1911-10-19

began to feel quite chilly, but deter
mained TO remain in the belfry until
daylight.
He never realized before how slow
ly 1t is possible for minutes to pass
by. but his long vigil finally came to
an end. Daylight appeared and the
detective brought forth a powerful tel
escope. With the aid of this instru-
ment he was enabled to get a splendid
view of the surrounding country. In
fact, he could see everything quite
clearly within radius of mile or
| more. Good housewives at work in
their gardens, farmers driving their
wagons to market, and men working
in the fields, were all to be seen with
| wonderful clearness.
Presently his curiosity was satisfied
and he climbed down from his lofty
perch and quietly retraced his steps.
He went to his boarding house and
| ate breakfast with a heartiness that
made the cook tell him that he had the
appetite of a horse. While he was
at the table, Ezra Wallace came in.
The sexton spoke to him very coldly
Brooks became alarmed. He did not
desire the i'll will of the old man,
and, above all, did not wish to have
his plans go astray so he tried to con-
ciliate him.
Good morning, Ezra! you're looking
fine this morning."
That's the way all respectable folks
G hn
| joinder
Sure" responded the detective, who
did not quite grasp the meaning Of the
sections remark.
The latter eyed him coldly for mo-
ment and then said in an accusing
voice:
Il may have my faults, but I've
never stayed out all night in my
life"
At this psychological moment the
detective gave a terrific sneeze.
IF you had been in your warm bed
last night" said Ezra, now making his
accusation direct, you probably
wouldn't have had that cold"
"Oh, that's all right" was the cheer
full reply.
"It is not all right" retorted the sex
ton, "and I'll thank you to give me
back that key"
Brooks handed it to him with some
misgivings.
What are you going to do?" asked
the detective.
81 don't know yet" was the reply.
'Ill find out first whether anything's
been taken out of the church. After
that I'll decide what to do"
1t took Brooks nearly an hour to
pacify the old man, and in convincing
him that although he was travelling
under an assumed name, and spent the
night in the steeple of the church, he
was engaged in legitimate business,
and assured him that in short time
he would explain it all to his salts
faction.
The day after his night in the
church steeple, Brooks was very busy.
He telegraphed to Cincinnati several
times, and during the afternoon and
evening it was noticed that several
strangers alighted from the way train
that stopped at Meadboro. The detec
tive was very stiff from his exposure,
but he managed to conceal his dis
comfort in the thought of the impor-
tant work that lay before him.
He was up at daylight the following
morning. He stationed himself in the
road that led from the Davis farm to
the station. The two-horse team
that was in the habit of hauling the
milk to the train was due at six
hour. Davis, himself, occupied a
place OH the seat beside the driver.
The detective stood near turn in the
road. Behind him, concealed in a
clump of bushes, were two able-bodied
assistants. AS the team reached that
point Brooks stepped in front of
the horses.
Good morning, Mr.. Davis-how are
you feeling this morning?"
"None of your business" was the
rough rejoinder. "Get out of the
way and let these horses pass"
You're not very polite this morn
ing"
I'm in hurry, and I've got no time
to waste on you"
"Then you'll have to take the time"
Davis answer was characteristic of
the man. He cracked his whip and
started the horses. But the detective
moved with amazing quickness and
GOODNESS. He pulled his pistol and
pointed it at the farmers head.
Halt" he cried.
At the same moment his two assist
ants rushed from their places of con-
cealment.
"You see," said Brooks, pleasantly,
'it's three against two. You might as
we'll give up
'But l don't understand" replied
Davis, who did look dazed. whats
the meaning Of this performance"
"It can be explained in few
words, "said the detective. "Pm a rep
resentative OF the United States gov
ernment, and l charge you with main
tanning an Illicit distrillery."
"But l pay the government tax"
"On a small part of your product