The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-03-15
CHAPTER XIV.
Pritz Shows His Hand.

eritz Shows His Hand.
Following the talk between Br!tz
and Manning in the office OF the chiet
of detectives, the lieutenant fastened
to his own room, where fltch was
awaiting him. He excused himself TO
the uhysician and entered a telephone
| booth at the far end Of his Office IN
which he was accustomed to conduct
h;a more private wire conversations.
Through the glass Of the silence pafo-
tion Fitch saw the detectives eyes
snarkle as he listened to what tho
man at the other end Of the wire was
saving, While Britt still was talking.
Manning came in, glanced inqulrlne!y
At tho doctor, and settled himself IN
big chair as If for a further anu
more protracted interview with MS
able lieutenant.
GLOW does it look to you, DOCTOR
now" said the Chief of Fitch eyeihs
him closely meanwhile.
"1t looked for awhile as If we had
!, rim into a hornets nest Fitch an
, swered ,,4
"pretty exciting experience you nao
untown. eh?" The Chief laughed.
"Wen, Just little" said the doctor
: cone doesn't expect to encounter
+ cobra in well-resuiateu o'o""
n stone front"
Il "Th,nk tho hunt IS getting any
70 closer?" ,,...,
y "Britz seems to think SO. His op'n'
ion carries weight with me
y "No doubt, in your mind he VIII
IL. catch the thief. them" asked mo
~ Chief
ne "Th,ef or thieves" said the medlca!
no man quietly. II am convinced ne VIII
az rim them down soon or late, II they're
n'' anywhere on the face Of the earth.
u. "Thank you, DOCTOR" Britt inter-
"a. runted coming out Of the BOOTH
~ -, "your confidence is no. misplaced.
IA rho thieves are as good as caught
ng- Inc e'''O
for now" =.
lor Manning looked up with an air OF
ore surprise.
ORG "Yes" continued Britt. addressing
ou. his chief. 1--WE just been talking to
,onn Gordon, Had him out all day on
n We, special trail. Turns out to be the risn'
'ne. lead We know where the secono
.u'o hatch Of thieves can be found alte'
the next hour or So.
ana "Where are they?" asked Mannin'
.,,n eagerly. ., MT.
, re- -,n,,od "1f YOU don't mind, III as
'lace Won to wait little whiie until ca
the a. On Meanwhile, let's gather up II
. y loose ends ;,
are an YOU mean you have solved Il
the missioner mystery" Fitch inquire
BROW trembling slightly as he reflectI
DO who+ tho answer might mean to Il
'onse woman Of his heart.
the "There isn't any mystery no"
won prtt, responded cheerily. 1.-THE
II 10 hasn't been any in my mind for sc
o.. eral hours" ~,
she Lets have IT," exclaimed the chi
acket ...t;ontlv
her 49, Inst for an instant Britz stiffen
10 tho vrder his excellently controlled
torior. He believed in discipline
sne was known favorably to his superle
u? Is from the commissioner down Tor
obedience and respect he aiwa
swami showed them. But there lurkea
Sc for Meath his departmental sense OF al
elongs the independence Of a man VINO
rs. 1t he could always stand on his own
} keep feet and that he could work alone
Of my mood he to accomplish the most u
nee Of omit task His impulse OF revolt II
d in a al scarce q seconds space, ho"e'
return ord with military salute tnat
st that hans was meant to remind MN
to re- Manning's rank, he slid into MS
once" volving chair and looked n1en'l'
ed the first one and then the other OF
men, who waited tenseiy lot
ands Of n,ords
lthfully fro BE CONTINUED