Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-04
copyrighted. Isl;

natured. devil-may-care sort of fellow,
always ready 10 crack joke or put
himself out to do any one a favor. Low
ering his eyes. he saw an elderly gen
tleman sitting opposite him looking at
him. Ned thought. rather disappearing
~. As Ned read his thoughts they were
something like this,
1.-The young man opposite. judging by
the fashionable cut of his clothes, is
passing that age when his tailor Is his
most intimate friend. He looks as if he
would swear at the least provocation
and probably CANDLES"
OF course Ned made this up. but the
fact remains that diSapprobation was
plainly marked on the gentleman's
countenance. Ned. who was full of Old
Nick. was minded to shock the man.
Leaning forward, he said confidentially:
Il know a place where there's a small
game going on. | wouldn't mind taking
you around if you like"
The man gave him a whitening look,
turned. showing as much Of his back as
the rebuff good naturedly and was
thinking how to follow up his shocking
process without running the risk of be-
ing turned over to the police when the
gentleman pushed the button. the car
stopped, and he got out. When Ned
next turned his glance to where the
gentleman had been sitting he saw a
fat wallet lying on the seat.
"That comes of no button on the hip
picket said Ned, who had once lost q
pOcketbook from that cause; and. TAX
ing up the wallet, he left the car and
ran after the owner. Unfortunately,
the man was not to he seen. The next
thing to be done was to examine the
contents to learn if there was any ad-
dress within. Ned came upon a singu-
lar bit of information. He found a card
on which was written: This is the
body Of Archibald Crane. president Of
the -th National bank. In case of ac-
cident, illness or death telephone the
bank, also my house. No. 742 Lincoln
street"
How easy 1t is" unused Ned, "to
read character from the appearance.
Any one would know that was just
the kind of man to put such notice in
his pocketbook. But what's this?'
From another division of the wallet
he took some bank bills folded to-
gether There were five of them
three twenties, fifty and a ten, in all
$120. There was another roll of ones
and twos. making up 81 more.
/ II reckon I'll give the old gentleman
a chance to worry a bit" unused Ned
"I'll telephone tomorrow at his home
after he's gone to the bank or to the
bank after he's gone home. Perhaps
I'll get some fun out of the old crank
after all"
So he pocketed his find and thought
no more about it till the next morning
when he fancied the man he wanted
was not at home; then after looking
in telephone directory he called W
Mr.. Cranes residence. A very soft
feminine voice asked. What is it,
as Mr.. Crane at home:"
mo: he's gone to the bank"
Perhaps you had better call up the
bank and ask if he is there"
After some questioning as to the
cause of this suggestion the lady
concluded to do as advised. after which
Ned had given her. He was waiting
and said:
II didn't wish to scare any one. so
asked you to call up Mr.. Crane to as
sure yourself that he is all right. I've
found his body"
Found his body! My goodness Gra
cious!"
"Oh, you know he's all right"
Yes"
"Well, what shall 1 do with BIZ
nOdy?"
What does all this mean? Who ar,
you?"
I'm Edward Bromley"
There was a pause when the voict
asked where Mr.. Bromley was. ant
ne replied that he was at the Univer
sity club and asked whom he had tn
honor of speaking with and receives
the information that he was speaking
with Miss Hester Crane. Mr.. Arch
bald Cranes daughter.
We'll" continued Ned. 1--WE foun
) pocketbook with about sl2O and
card giving instructions what to q
with Mr.. Cranes body if found dea
or something"
You don't mean it?'
81 certainly do"
Il know papa is bit peculiar. but
didn't think he would put anythin
: ike that III his pocketbOok."
I'm in 4 quandary about the retur
of the money"
How So?
/ well, | saw Mr.. Crane sitting ODD,
site me in trolley car looking at IL
rather severely. My neck scarf didn
T seem to please him or snake ring
wore on my little finger / thought I
shock him and asked him If he'd lik
to go where a small game was goiu
} en-"
A ripple of laughter came over II
phone ut this. then the reply. "Yc
> couldn't nave done anything more ca
eulated to turn papa against yon"
That's just it. Now. surprising
knows that have his portmonnaie.
, 10 / he'll think [ Uicked his pocket"