Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-27

intimate friend and she would know
all about his movements. L told her
that would be a great help to me. She
offered TO 80 right around to Sails
and find out what she knew. hut / told
her not to excite SAILS suspicion by
too much haste. would call after
supper for what information she could
secure. She assured me that she
would have no trouble whatever in
learning just what wanted to know.
I'm the evening l went again 10
Hawkins, and Nan told me that her
friend expected her lover that evening
about s O'Clock. The house was
three story building with apartments
for as many families There was an
alley on one side, where l could hide
and nab my man just as he was go
ing into the door This looked dead
easy. so l thanked my informer and
proceeded at once on my errand. for
it was then within twenty minutes OF
the time for Jones to make his call
Everything worked TO charm ex-
cept for one thing Nan had forgotten
10 mention. A fire escape extended
from the third story OF the building TO
within about fifteen feet of the
ground. Jones appeared, all right. as
the clocks were striking s. but unfor-
tunately saw me just as l shot out of
the alley to take him in. l never in
my life saw such jump as he made
for the lowest round Of that fire es-
cape. When he caught it he swung
himself up like a monkey and before
climbing in at third story window
II ran through the alley to the rear
of the house, but the roof was at a
level with other buildings. 1t was
dark and-I gave 1t up. l went back
to Hawkins and reported my failure.
You can get him tomorrow. GER
tain said Nan. He's roofer by
trade. That's what makes him such
climber. He's going to work on the
roof of the Presbyterian church. But
you'd better get there early-7 o'clock
or he'll he on the roof, and you'll
have the trouble of going after him.
THE thing was getting kind OF non
sensical, but l thought Id make one
more attempt, though If hadn't re
ceived so much information from the
girl | would have dropped 1t. The
next morning l went around to the
church at half past 6. But | wasn't
early enough. Looking up. there was
Jones on the roof. He saw me COM
ing and threw me kiss on the tips
of his fingers, then began to climb the
steeple. 1t was high one for Il town
| of that size. and l felt sure he would
obviate the necessity Of my arresting
! him by breaking his neck. But he
went on up and up and up till he look
ed the size of a grasshopper and on
| reaching the top began to fix ropes on
which to support himself, then went
to work with tools he took from the
pockets Of his overalls to fix some
thing.
"All of a sudden 1t occurred to me
that l was chasing n steepleIack.
He couldn't stay up there forever,
and I'd nab him when he came down.
But there were four sides to the
church. and couldn't very well watch
more than one at time. If l went
for others to aid me / would stand a
chance to miss his descent while fwas
!
do, l sat down on a monument in the
churchyard and, looking up, watched
the fellow work. | must have been
there an hour when along came Nan
Hawkins.
"'You didn't get him, did your she
said
"'No, | didn't replied, somewhat
irritated. Last evening you forgot to
tell me about the fire escape, and you
never mentioned at all that my quarry
was steeplejack.'
Didn't l.? she said. so Innocent
like that l began to suspect her.
"'NO, you didn't
"sWell. you've got him now. All you
have TO do is. to climb up there and ar
rest him
"'Do you take me for monkey?
.''No. but you may be the next thing
to one.
whats that
} "'An aviator. 1t would be the east
- est thing in the world TO sail by him
and take him aboard
Il didn't reply to this at once. but
when | did | said:
See here, young woman, what Ii
this here game anyway
"'Well. you're a pretty good sort OF
fellow and I'll tell you. Harry and
, are spoons. Dad was opposed tC
the match and made up his mind he'd
block it by trumping up a charge oil
! theft against Harry. But / got on &c
it and have been posting my steeple
lack ever since. We've been having
a lot OF fun tell you. But you needn
, follow it further. Dad has given in anC
/ consented that Harry and | shall bC
married. Only he says that If my
husband breaks his neck and leaves
: me a widow he won't help me Bit
: Turnbull paused. reIighted plpt
: which had gone out and asked:
"Did you attend the wedding"
well. at first was so mad that
p swore ! wouldn't. but when | though
: it all over / saw the ludicFous side o
it and smiled. Yes. I went TO the wed
ding. danced with the bride. and th'
couple and I have been excel!en
: friends ever since