Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-08-30
A KODAKS
CLICK
By DoRoTHEA HALE


he took views. Now he would aim 1t at
rowboat gliding past, now at one Of
The elaborate bridges and now at some
one Of the pleasant landscape views
with which the park abounds
Presently he sat down on one Of the
benches that line the lake. A lady was
sitting at the other end. but he did not
notice her till she moved near to him
end said in low tone:
~ am in need Of 800"
He turned and saw a woman, fairly
well dressed and quite respectable in
appearance. He was OF had been
man of the world and took I'M the situa-
ton ut once. but he did not realize its
full importance. The woman would
not be likely 10 ask for loan from a
stranger unless she had some means Of
enforcing her demand. This occurred
70 him, but the simplicity and the
strength of her scheme had not devel-
oped in his mind.
Il am sorry not to be able to accom-
modate you. madam, but haven't the
amount with me"
You have well filed pocketbook.
This | know I saw you take it out in
a shop on Oxford street when you
made a purchase. / followed you here.
And ! know that you are an American
both by your accent and the hotel to
which you ordered goods sent, which is
frequented by your countrymen. And
you are married man, because you
bought goods for women and for chill
dren. The case between US is perfectly
plain. | give a shrek and cry wildly
for q policeman ] am found to be hot
with indignation and burst into tears.
The policeman asks what's the matter.
tell him that I was sitting here. You
came and sat down beside me and in
suited me. He takes you TO a police
station. II you are not able TO find
bail at once you are locked up for the
night. In any event you will be exam
ined before q magistrate in the morn
ing. No one will know whether my
charge is true or false, but there are
plenty who will believe It true. ] shall
only be able to prove it by my own
statement, and YOU will undoubtedly
be discharged. Nevertheless your ar
rest VIII be cabled to America as an
HEM OF news
The American sat listening 10 this
presentation OF the case, not replying
for a few minutes. He was making
up his mind what to do. Presently he
said:
What you say is every word Of il
true. / beg you to be careful what you
do, for I am in dread lest you should
sound an alarm unnecessarily. When
we Americans are cornered we pay up
like men. I win give you every penny
in my pocketbook rather than be plac-
ed in the position you describe. But
one thing / fear. have noticed the
policeman there is watching us. Should
he see me give you my pocketbook he
might suspect the real reason for it's
transfer. This would cause your ar
rest, and ! would be obliged 10 appear
against you. l would be smirched
My pocketbook must go 20 you without
attracting the bobby's attention.
propose this plan-I viii open the pOck-
etbook and show you that there is
giOO in it, Then / will get up, go to
the margin OF the water. drop the
pocketbook and walk away. You can
go and pick it up deftly that the police
man may not take notice"
The woman's eyes flashed uneasily.
She was looking for a trick. NO"
she said presently, mot that, just as
you have proposed It, Your purse
found on me would convict me. Drop
a roll OF bills, then come back TO this
bench 1 will go and get them and
walk away"
ANY way you like that insures your
safety. which is more mine than yours"
Taking five ten-pound notes from his
pocketbook. he held them screened
from any one except the woman, then,
rising, strolled leisurely to the margin
Of the lake and, while standing there
apparently looking out on to the wster,
dropped them tightly rolled. Atte-
waiting a few minutes he went slowly
back to the bench and sat down. Not
Fastening. the woman arose and
dawdled idly to the spot where he had
dropped the money, put her foot on II,
dropped her handkerchief and picked
UP the money and the handkerchief st
the same time
She was startled by a click
Casting a quick glance at the Aneri-
can, she saw him sitting with his ko-
dak on his lap. The kodak pointed
toward her.
"Policer' he cried
Bobby, who at that moment was
booking elsewhere. turned and at the
Americans beck came toward him.
THAT woman has ESQ blackmaii that
abe has levied on me. Arrest her and
/ will accompany you to the police
station"
The woman flashed n vindictfve
glance at the American. In a moment
It came upon her that she had been
outwitted.
The next morning the case was tried
The American was pat on the stand
and told the story as IT has been told
here. During the night he had develop
ed the plate he had taken. showing
the woman picking mp his btsls. and
handed the photograph to the rnaRis-
trate. The case was clear. The. wo-
man was identified as one who had
played the same game before and was
sent TO prison
The American sailed for his native
country.
d. c. Bybee, teaming contractor, liv-