The Washington herald., 1912-07-07


waited-fiye minutes-ten, and the anna
teur detective became impatient He
looked over the screen, but the other was
not to be seen. He ventured within and
spoke to the bar-keep.
why. sure" replied that individual.
"A guy came in here and bought drink.
but he ducked out the side entrance"
Toms spirits began to ebb and he suf-
tered an uncomfortable sense OF failure
Upon reaching the pavement he wondered
what next to do To again pick up the
lost trail would be like hunting for the
proverbial needle. but disdaining defeat
he would not give up. You'd make a
great hit as dctectivel' he said. as il
addressing subordinatc--inira digita-
TEN. But ! suppose this would be called
one of the tribulations Of an officer"
He walked rapidly through the main
street, peering into lew shop windows
and cautiously studying the occasional
pedestrians whom he passed. until finally
he came to a halt on darkcncd side
street. Crestfallen and with hands deep
in his pockets he leaned against tree
and gazed inquistively at a gloomy lodg-
ing house, hoping to see his man enter
there, but the flying minutes dampcned his
ardor and lamenting his luck gave up.
walking slowly back to the lighted thor
oughfare.
Fortune favored the young fnancer. He
had hardly reached the corner when again
the ruifan came into view Tom lurchcd
forward involuntarily then drew close 10
darkencd wall and waited. The other
continued over the street crossing and the
chase began once more. They walked
swiftly past the depot and down the rail
road track for nearly a quarter OF mile
Suddenly the leader came to an abrupt
halt, and his silent shadow dropped to the
ground. Under the faint glow of a
switch light the fellow could be seen peer
ing back into the darkness as il listening
then apparently satisfied he vanished be-
hind coal chute at the side of the track
Tom sprang to his feet and ran noiselessly
TO the spot where the other turned of.
and reached il in time to see him enter a
building on the opposite side of the road
Cautiously he made his way to the win
dow OF the place determined not to be
fooled again. by Jove" he muttered,
Il thought | knew this little town-but
here's new one to me. though il looks
as old as the hills"
II proved to be a beer saloon, and just
inside the window greasy strip of calico
which served as curtain had been
slightly drawn aside at one end enabling
him to see the dimly lighted room beyond
The place resembled the interior OF an
old barn. dowdily adorned with gaudy
posters. seemingly beseeching attention
from beneath an aged film OF dust. In
the rear of the place boxes and barrels
were piled to the ceiling without regard
to order threatening to barricade a pas
sage leading to an open doorway and
isolated backness of deserted room In
front of this refuse heap a scanty allot-
ment of dilapidated chairs encircled a
round table, into one of which the ugly
character Topped slovenly.
After hasty survey OF the surround
ings, Tom stole quietly through a narrow
passage-way leading to the rear of the
building where he found door He
turned the knob slowly and pressed
against the weather-beaten safeguard, but
1t would not yield and the young man,
beseemingly doomed to disappointment,
was about to turn away when window
caught his eye, which to his delight gave
away under pressure. Without noise he
climbed through into a room reeking with
sickening odor of stale liquor.
For moment he stood quite still and
listened, then hearing no sound save the
pounding of his own heart and the rum
BILE of distant voices, advanced toward
. ba IAn. Lo h,I