Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-02-22

days. was anxious to meet him, IS
l was wondering considerably what
he was up to, and was DESTROYS Of
questioning him as to progress. Bruce
had hunted up on one occasion after
my interview with the detective, and
had found him in seemingly far bet
ter spirits than when I had last seen
him upon the day after the burglary.
He did not seem to hold it against me-
that I had charged him with having
had the key, telling me he had no
doubt bat that I was honestly mista-
ken. But when I made q slight al
fusion to his operations on the board
he shut up tight as a clam, which Of
course was unusual for Bruce. There
fore I did not feel warranted in pur-
suing the matter further. He was CD
Grating openly now and I thought az
recklessly as ever, but whether his
deals were being made on his own ac-
count or on behalf of some client I
had no information beside what the
detective had given me- Clare while
equally uncommunicative about his
business affairs. still remained def
antly loyal to him.
Il don't believe there Is a crooked
hair in Bruce's head; won't listen to
anything that anybody may say
against him, and have my own opin-
ion of those who do" she asserted
strenuously. sincerely admired her
fealty and told her so as I emphatical
" Endorsed her views. Still I could
not help secretly acknowledging that
there were very ugly looking features
about the case that | would have con-
sidered him wiser had he explained.
But he seemed rather inclined to
avoid me since the affair of the safe,
and as it was his business after all,
and as I did net care to be snubbed,
l went my way and allowed him to go
his without disturbance
A few evenings later I happened to
be standing in front of one of the
leading hotels. had nothing in mind
that cared to do, ana was idly watch
ing the passers-by when some one
gave me a poke in the back and
turned to find LeDuc grinning at me.
We shook hands and sauntered off
together as I piled him for the latest
information He was mystically eva
sive
Talk about hustling,' he said,
quet table is idle beside the way
have been buzzing around If there
has been any buster man in town l
would like to stand somewhere and
behind something and watch him go
by He'd whizz like bullet. l have
run down every possible clue that l
could get hold of and tried out every
reasonable theory that I could conjure
up and at last know pretty near
where to put my fingers next. Any
way, I know who stole the money"
stopped short, Selling him by the
arm
"Who?" I demanded. He pulled me
along with him, gently shaking his
head.
Cant tell you just yet. 1t is al
ways bad judgment to let a cat out of
bag until the right time comes.
But I know who he is and l will tell
you soon enough" Burning with i'm
patience to know whom he referred
to, but restrained from further ques-
tioning by the manner of his refusal
to enlighten me, we continued our
way for some distance without fur
Their conversation In a certain sense,
his statement was a shock to me, and
[ could not rid myself of haunting
impression that when he made his
disclosures there would be disagree
able facts revealed. Yet my curiosity
could hardly have been at a higher
point.
Are you positive?" I ventured after
a while If there was any doubt in
his mind as to the identity of the
criminal his voice did not betray it.
LAS absolutely sure in my own mind
as though I had been hidden in the
room and seen him. But you know
proving these matters to the satjsfac-
ton of other people Is quite another
proposition, and it is the proof that
will convince those who do not wish
to be convinced that I am after now"
He turned to me with a slow scrutiny
of my face. But 1 am going to get
that proof tonight, and l want you to
help me-"
I pondered his proposition over
briefly. / could see no objection TO
acting upon his suggestion, and 1t
might give me an linking of whom he
had in his mind. Therefore after a
short reflection I agreed. Very well,
I will give you any assistance that |
can. Where are you going and what
do you want me to do?" He pulled
out his watch.
TT is nine o'clock now and is as
dark as it is going to be tonight. We
can take a stroll around and inspect
the place I want to visit. If the coast
is clear we will go ahead; if DoF we
can wait until it is" He uttered a
little chuckle. For your information,
| will say that 1 am going to commit
a burglary on my own hook" | must
have hesitated a little in my pace.
for he laughed, and taking me by
the arm led me, half resisting, With
him.
CTO BE CONTINUED)