Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-27

the entrance room Of the Hudson tun-
nels. There are newspaper and candy
stands. ticket offices and benches. One
afternoon tall. bony man descended
the steps leading to this subterranean
station and looked about him wonder
ingly.
He was Martin Granger Ken
tuckisn, who had come from his native
state to see New York. He had taken
a tour in one of the big autocars in
which strangers are shewn the metrop-
oils while a conductor points out the
principal items of curiosity and COM
mentS on them through q megaphone.
And now he had determined to go
through the tunuel under the Hudson
river that he might so back to Hen
derson county. Ky. and tell his chill
dren how the great ships. some of them
500 or 800 feet long. had sailed right
over his head. while smaller boats
without number had steamed back and
forth in the same relative position.
Not knowing exactly how to get to
the cars which were to take him on
this Ito him) perilous journey or per-
haps wishing for time to screw up his
courage to plunge under the great riv-
er. he sat down on one OF the benches,
presenting perfect picture of south
western countryman wonder struck
with that congregation of people which
within a radius of twenty-five miles
forms the largest in the world.
He had not been there long before a
man came and sat down beside him.
But Martin Granger was not interested
in single man, but the throngs pass
ing through this station. wherein every
thing was as much alive underground
as on the surface and were just as
much alive above the surface as on ii.
The man beside him sat there but a
few minutes, then got up and went
away.
Presently Granger noticed persons
buying tickets at booth and put his
hand into his pocket for money, in
tending to do the same thing. Casting
his eyes down beside him. he saw a
small package on the bench. He took
it up. looked at 1t. then cast a glance
about him for the owner, thinking that
it had been left through careiessness
A number of persons were near, but
there was no evidence that any one
of them was the owner of the pack
age. He weighted it and found it light
no heavier than paper. He pondered
awhile as to what to do with it. ther
united a string and partly unwrapped
the covering.
Any look Of surprise that had come
over Martin Grangers face while in
New York was surpassed by the one
that came upon it now. He looked
upon the corner of bank bill and es
pecially or the figures 500. AS soor
as he regained something OF his equa
nimity he lifted the corner of the bill
and underneath it was another of the
same denomination. The next below
this was marked $50, the next $50
the next 500. and so on Of different
denominations The package was
about two inches thick.
What you got there?"
Granger. looking up. saw maj
standing over him regarding him will
severe expression.
Somebody has been powerful care
less and left q whole stack o bani
bills on this we're seat
I'm inluck." said the other you've
found the bills taken from the vault!
of the - Trust company"
How do you know thatT' asked
Granger.
81 know it because ! am detectiy,
and have been shadowing the maj
who stole the bills. l followed hin
down here. and, realizing that I ha'
him trapped. rather than be caugh
with the plumber on him he sat dow
here beside you and when he wen
away left it. His intention is doubt
less to follow you, and when you ge
far enough from the station and b
thinks himself unobserved he viii
claim the property"
The westerner looked at the MAJ
with wonder. "You must be one c
the stories printed in our home paper
They kin tell from a shirt button o
the stump of cigar jist who done tn
| murder"
Yes; I'm a detective. Now I've go
the stolen property I want you to hel
! me take the thief. Where are you 90
ing?"
I'm gOin' down under the river jis
/ to see how it feels TO be joggin' alonj
under the big ships"
| ''All right Put the package In you
| pocket and
The speaker stopped short and turn
ed his back on Granger as though b.
had no intercourse with him. In few
minutes he turned again and con
| tinued:
| Il saw the rascal. He's gone dow
/ the stairs to the train. | didn't wan
! to have him see me talking to you
! Go to that birdcage over there and bu!
! the tickets. You'll be given two o
'em. Then go past that man owe
there and drop 'em in the box. Get OIL
| he train. and don leave II till yoi
| get TO the last station-Hoboken. II
be in the same car with you and quit
/ likely the man who stole the bills vii
/ be on the train. When he joins ye1
and asks you for his parcel I'll ma
him -