Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-03
A MATTER OF MATHEMATICS
AN ADVENTURE OF PETER CREWE-"THE MAN
WITH THE CAMERA EYES"
BY HAROLD CARTER
by W G. Chapman United


of business"
"And-one more question-you have
had an unusually sunshiny summer,
believer"
They say So" answered the man
ager suavely, but looking at me as
though to ask, 'Is the fellow danger
Gus lunatic?"
Without further remark Crewe seat
ed himself upon the stool and leaned
over the desk. The sunlight streamed
through the grille in front of the desk
and in upon Crewe. He adjusted his
position until he was seated exactly
in the center Of the stool; then, after
an instant's silence, as though he
we're lost in meditation, he slipped
down to the ground.
Good morning, Mr.. Simpson" he
said. extending his hand to the bank
manager. IF we get to New York
before the police capture him, I hope
to have the pleasure of presenting Mr..
Rowell to you. And that" he added,
lis probable enough, since the police
are dealing with an extremely astute
gentleman"
We made our way to New York and
had an interview with the head OF
the police department. He informed
me of the situation in regard to the
missing man.
That he was in the city was GER
tainty. Had any authentic portrait of
him existed, he would undoubtedly
have been captured long before. At
present ii seemed almost impossible
to take him. But If Rowell was i'm
mune from arrest. he. in turn, could
not leave New York. Detectives were
watching every road, every railroad
station, every ferry house from which
boats left for the New Jersey shore.
RowelIs only possible point of es-
cape was Long Island. He could doubt
| less evade the detectives and cross
! the Brooklyn bridge during the rush
hour But that would be a risky pro-
ceeding, for, though Brooklyn lay
( open to him. he could not cross from
any point Of Long Island to the Con-
| necticut shore, while his return to
! New York itself would be fraught
with dangers. II was highly probable,
/ therefore, that Rowell was still within
| the limits of the borough Of Manhat'
! tan.
Where are you searching?" Crewe
asked the police chief.
/ I'VE have two dozen men looking
/ through the whole city" said the lat
| ter. We're raking IL as fine as
, though We used a toothcomb.. Sooner
or later he must be found"
THE only drawback to that scheme
is that while you are raking one dis
trict Rowell is likely to be in an
other"
We'll, how would you DO betLer?'
asked the police chief, nettled.
why" said Crewe. search all dis
tricts simultaneously"
Let me tell you," said the chief o
police. that the number of detectives
at my disposal for this case is twenty
four, not twenty-four thousand"
Nevertheless, if you will place fou
of your two dozen at my disposal 70
a week l will guarantee to find Rowel
if he is within the limits of Manhat
tan borough" said Crewe. And tn
glory's yours" he added.
The police chief looked at me. H
knew Crewe and his work, but hi
pride was hurt Re would have like
to see him for once unsuccessful.
nodded.
81 say nothing Sor the newspaper,
] 70 min, aitf
er way. Either you score on Crewe o
you get the credit for the capture"
The police chief pressed a bel
Send Cohen, O'Rourke, Murphy an
Kelly here at once" he said to tn
messenger. Almost at once the fou
policemen came in and saluted.
You will place yourselves unde
the orders of this gentleman" said tn
chief, indicating Crewe. Its tn
Rowell case, and he thinks he ca
work on it better than I can"
Report to me here tomorrow morl
ing at nine" said Crewe. You ma
take the day of. want to think.
suppose you're all proficient in sir
pie arithmetic" he added I'm gla
to hear it. You may have little adj
ing to do
/ did not see Crewe again until Ii
second afternoon, when me met by a
pointment and lunched together. Aftt
the meal / asked him how he wa
progressing with his case.
i've got the town staked out
Crewe answered. ~snd / think th'
the fourth day will witness Mr.. ROY
, ellis arrest. OF course. I could tai
. him earlier by haprazard means, bl
: l prefer to utilize the scientit
method"
! Twill you inform me how, with fol
detectives, you can possibly ha'
t 'staked out the town, as you phra:
= it?' I asked. little exasperated.
1T Is a matter Of pure mathematic
5 Langton." Crewe answered, a sigl
1 amusement disclosing itself in b
voice. But come with me and "
< shall see for yourself"
e We took the elevated to Forty-se
{ ond street and walked over to Broa
way. On the southwest corner OF
{ Of the detectives. in plain clothe
}. whom l recognized as Murphy, vi
L lazily scanning the passers by.