The Springfield herald., 1913-05-16
The Clue on the KEYS
lcopyriEht. by ". q. chspman.5

AN suppose" had begun.
NW chance often plays q big
u rs part in the catching Of
&A criminals"
r@ Miss Clement and were
~ chatting between acts at
one OF the theaters. She
allowed her eyes to narrow bit.
Chance has great deal to do with
1t. in a way" she answered. There
is many time when chance will give
you the lead to criminal, but 1t takes
the detective instinct to work the case
up to where the man or woman may
be caught. And 1t IL not everyone
that will take advantage Of the chance
when 1t il offered. That is why there
are 80 few really great detectives. Not
every person can see the opportunity
in small chance. And then again,
she added. there are those who
can"
Including yourself" supplement
ed.
WELL" she laughed. "I had no busi-
Aess In the case, and to tell the truth.
I've never been credited with 1t over
at headquarters. What's more, l don't
care to be. When l know I've done
my best, what's the difference7 But
here's the story.
"It was about four years ago, Just
before went on the force a. regu-
lar detective. had been taking q
few assignments from the ONCE, and
on this particular night was looking
for an army deserter. I had the infor-
nation that he was going to meet .
girl in parlor of one Of the small
hotels, aud so made up my mind that
l would be waiting about the same
time.
well, went and waited. No one
came. wandered around the room
for a while and finally sat down at
the piano. had Just started to play
when something on one Of the keys
caused me to stop. looked closer.
1t was tiny spot of blood. But that
had no connection with my deserter,
nor was there anything else to cause
any excitement 30 went on with
my playing. waited an hour or 70 for
my deserter to show up. and then gave
up the quest until l could get some
new information. was Just leaving
the hotel when met one Of the men
from the central ONCE.
"'What are you doing over here?'
he asked. Working on the killing,
too7'
"'what killingT asked. 1t was
news to mo.
"'Woman found dead up In her
room here about 6 o'clock tonight.
Skull fractured by a blow. Some
chantey singer or something like that,
but We haven't been able to find out
her name yet. Don't you know any
thing about it?'
"'No,' l answered, but think I'm
going to ind out something mighty
soon. I've. got little tip that may
help you. What did you say her busi-
ness was, cafe singer?'
ayes, one OF these chantey girls
that work around the country singing
in chop suey cafes. What do you
mowr
Il laughed at him.
"T may know a whole lot an
swered. and then may not know any
thing. How long had the girl been
dead?'
".About two hours when she was
found
THAT would make the killing about
four O'Clock. All right. Let's see
some Of the house managers.'
1.-THE central ONCE man followed me
rather blankly when I went to seek
the house managers. did not tell
him what had seen. asked that
all the bellboys who had been on duty
that afternoon be summoned. When
they arrived. began to ask questions.
"'Was the piano in the upper par
lor played this afternoonT asked.
"One by one the bellboys thought
1t over. At last one answered In the
affirmative.
What time was it7' l questioned.
about four o'clock
Ibid you see who was playingF
".No.''
"Can you remember what It was
that was being played7'
For q good many moments the boy
struggled with his memory. Then his
lips puckered.
"'Can't name it, he said. but
think l can whistle IT,
"'Go ahead
He whistled a few bars then
stopped.
THAT'S all ! know
That's enough turned to 60. I
guess I've got about all that's get
table. Don't you think sor looked
at the central once man.
81 can't see that you've got any
thing he said. I can't wee where
piano playing's going to help US out
any. Now stop that smiling and tell
ne what you've got up your sleeve
II was smiling. too. because had
made up my mind to act mysterious
with him. But at that. l had figured
out few facts in my mind"
"TIl make little bet.' said. that
the room wasn't robbed
you're right there. but how
"Tu bet also that man did the
work
.why, he had to. A woman
couldn't have struck the blow that
he did
"'And I'll bet that he stayed in this
hotel fully ten minutes after he had
killed the girl. But we'll have to
prove that later on. When you get
a. -