The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-10-28
Yes, and there is figure seated at

It's Ralph Barton" proclaimed
Davis, after a fixed glance through
the lace curtains.
All three Oh the lurkCrs could vague
~ make out figure al desk They
could see the head and arms move
So lar at least their prey had not es
capped them.
He may leave on one of his nj. ster
ions journeys at any time, spoke the
detective, 50 We had better keep VI
The watch"
This grew tiresome III two hours
BY midnight Davis was bored to death
Marcy fast asleep and the detective
FESTIVE and wearied. He reused uI
his dull companions.
See here, you fellows" he OBJ
served, Il don't like the looks OF
things. That Barton has been seated
at that desk up stairs there In his
study for hours. I'm going to ven.
ture little closer"
"How?' asked Davis.
I'll show you," and the intrepid
sleuth proceeded towards the house
The others saw him ascend trellis
and peer through the window be-
You'd
"Baffed! outwitted!" he Kissed
dramatically as he descended.
What now?" queried Davis.
That Barton of yours at the
desk"
Yes? yes?'
No such thing-a dummy, an auto
maton. He has fooled us. He sus-
pected we were watching and set up
one of his clever inventions to deceive
us, come on. The coasts clear.
Well get in the house and see if we
can't find some discriminating clew."
A ladder was set up against the
house, window forced open. Just
what the detective had announced was
disclosed. There was not the least
doubt that Ralph Barton had sum-
moned his inventive talent to battle
his watchers. A stuffed figure sat at
the desk, operated by clockwork
The invading crew proceeded to pry
into the desk. 1t was with a great
smirk of triumph that the detective
convict's suit
That settled it. he declared exult-
ingly Counterfeiter-eX-c All
| have to do now is to nab our
man
They proceeded to make themselves
at home. Davis gleefully anticipated
the downfall of his rival Tie detec-
tive let one end of a pair of hand
cuffs hang conspicuously out of a
pocket Marcy wondered what his
august uncle would say when he
learned that his prospective son-in-law
was a criminal.
why, what's ali ths?" challenged
4 sudden voice, and all three OF the
watchers aroused FROM 4 doze about
daylight.
That's him-that's Barton spoke
Davis.
"Ha! Ralph Barton, arrest you as
/ countcrfeiter and an escaped con-
Iict" grandiloquently announced the
detective, advancing, revolver in hand.
1t took five inmates for Doctor Bar.
on to understand how matters stood.
lie smiled grimly. Then he said:
II think we had better all go and
explain this case to certified officer
If justice-Judse Marcy"
He's a cool one-al these des-
)erate criminals are" whispered the
detective to Davis.
Misguided sleuth. he sneaked out of
own without even asking for his fee,
Ind Davis went conveniently to visit
distant relative, and Eugene Marcy
ubsided completely when the eXplana-
ions We're made
Ralph Barton's mysterious visits
lad been to an old friend whose son
lad got in with a band Of counter
eiters, had been sent to states
Prison and escaped.
Penitent, his health broken, he had
ust been sent safely out of the coun-
ry by his sorrowing father, Doctor
3arton had attended him and the
bills and the convict's suit
lie had brought away from his patient
o destroy.
What wicked people there are in
he world" cried the indignant Lucia,
When she was told of the plot against
Ter lover.
And what happy ones!" smiled
Ralph fondly, as he placed loving
rms about her.
Copyright, 1918, by w. G. Chapman.)