Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-12

building, my partner, Jack Rogers, and
1 had so successfully solved a number
Of little mysteries that we were often
consulted on matters that really be-
longed to the sphere Of the detective.
I suppose that is how it happened
that one fine April morning our office
door opened to admit a tall, lank, dark
man of past middle age. who gazed in
quiringly at US from melancholy black
eyes.
Harley & Rogers7" he inquired po-
litely.
Ny partner arose and offered him a
chair. 'This is Mr.. Harley" he intro
duced me. with q flourish Of his arm,
"and I'm Rogers"
81 presume 1t viii be necessary to
consult both of you," began the stran-
ger, producing a card which bore the
name of Mr.. Melancthon Thorne,
known to US by reputation as a rich
man and an eccentric one.
"Well, what can we do for you, Mr..
ThorneT' I asked briskly, for It was
our custom always to appear to be
feels over head In business when as a
matter Of fact we had not as yet an
extensive clientele Of the right sort
the litigant sort, / should say.
'T have heard Of your success In IN
raveling a number Of mysteries, and
have called upon you for similar serv-
ices"
"Yes?" Jacks tone was alert, and I
was agog with interest. We dearly
loved our adventures in ''sleuthing."
81 have suffered loss" Mr.. Thorne
frowned heavily, and I could have
sworn a tear came into his hard eye.
''It Is murder, downright murderr'
We gasped, This was something
new.
"Humw said Jack IN a businesslike
tone. "Gtve US the particulars, please"
"weI, when arose this morning he
was dead on the floor" declared Mr..
Thorne.
"Who was deadT' we asked In uni
son, and I frrtivety reached for the
morning paper on Jacks desk.
ulysses was stone dead on the rug
in the library. He sleeps there most Of
the time. He has the asthma, and it Is
a warm spot"
"Ah, Ulysses is-er-your butlerT'
ventured Jack.
Mr.. Thorne stared savagely at my
partner Butler? Good heavens, no.
man! He is my dog"
A tear dimmed the other hard black
eye Of our new client.
you suspect some one Of killing
your dog? Have you an enemy-had
your dog an enemy"
81 suppose have enemies-most rich
men have them-but poor Ulysses
could not have had one. I've owned
him for years. He was a pug, thor
oughbred and blue ribbon winner In
his younger days. He was always Of a
kindly disposition and greatly beloved
by all my servants. Indeed, had a
butler who felt quite honored when
Ulysses once bit him playfully on the
calf of his leg"
Jacks hand hid the smile on his
face. 81 suppose Hawkins felt no i'll
effects from the playful bite?" he asked
Mr.. Thorne shrugged careless shout
der. 81 believe he suffered from
slight limp after that, but he always
said he didn't mind as long as Ulysses
didn't mean any harm. In fact 1 am
positive the fellow didn't hold malice
for often after that have come upon
him standing in close proximity to
Ulysses aud looking at him fixedly-
kindly, I should say"
mo doubt" murmured Jack hastily
rs Hawkins with you now"
mo; he has retired to a small farm
outside the city. He has a family OF
grown up sons and daughters"
| You say you found the dog dead
you are positive he did not die from
natural causes?
AZ called in a physician. He pro-
nounced it a case Of arsenic poisoning
"Have you any idea who might have
done this thing?" queried Jack.
mo. The servants in the house are
above suspicion"
Suppose we walk around to the
. scene of the-er-crime and look over
the situation" suggested Jack, and
arose with alacrity to accompany them
). Fifteen minutes later Mr.. Thorne's
electric car discharged US before the
door of his Ggni1ed stone mansion
He led us directly to the library, where
a pathetic sight met our eyes.
There, lying in state, was the de
ceased Ulysses.
A white fur rug had been laid on Q
table and upon 1t was the pug dog
Around his neck was a gold collar
, studded with tuPquoises.
Rogers and l took a survey Of the
room. 1t was a handsome apartment
the walls lined with bookcases and the
desks and tables Uttered with books
and pamphlets In one corner was g
typewriting machine
J You have a private secretary" ask
, ed Jack.
81 did have one, but he left me re
Gently. I have been advertising for q
/ young woman to take his place." re
: sponded Mr.. Thorne, turning from g
sad contemplation Of his dead pet.
you say you left Ulysses in excel
, lent health when you retired last night
! BUT that you found him dead this
, morning" queried my partner.
"Yes, and, gentlemen, remember tina
/ &c he.