Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-06-26

to him at the station. l hurried to
If the name of Toni knew the last
name would be changed-had been
put there that day. | crossed the
room and then stopped with a shock.
Before me stood out the chalk marked
words:
"'Agnes Sexton
II rushed to the telegraph desk and
called for the message. Then with
trembling hands l tore open the enve-
lope.
Have porter show you way to
Gramercy Park. New York. the mes
sage ran. Will be waiting for you
there at northwest corner at mid
night. Can't tell reason. Get drec-
tions explicitly
1T was signed Tom as the other
message had been. reached for
pencil, scribbled my orders on the
piece OF paper, then dropped 1t at the
feet Of one of the central office men
as l hurried past. Then l started for
New York.
"The great. mournful chimes Of the
two-story clock in the Metropolitan
tower were changing twelve as l turn
ed from Broadway, down Twentieth
street and into Gramercy Square. The
streets were deserted, except for
figure huddled against the iron graf
ing OF the eighty-yearold park. The
song of time, played in its weird, long
sounding tones. rang out over the
sleepy old park with its doleful mes.
sage OF
Days and years
Come and go.
Passing on,
Passing on.
From tenement-lined Third avenue
and its opening canyons Of slum
streets came the drowsy murmur OF
late night. An l. train clattered along,
its wheels singing and beating.
looked far down the street, under the
street light and perceived the waiting
figures of my detectives. 1t lessened
the humping OF my heart to know
they We're ready. l approached the
figure by the grating.
"Is this Gramercy Park?' | asked,
and with quick glance saw that, ac-
cording to orders, my men were be-
ginning to move forward The man
had started forward bit at the right
OF me, then had returned to his posi-
ton by the fence. | could not see his
face-the important thing. Work was
still before me. | repeated my ques-
ton.
"Is this Gramercy Park?
"'Yes,' came the curt answer at
last.
"'How do the numbers rum
"'Around the block The man
kept his face turned from me.
laughed rather queerly at his answer.
81 don't quite understand | said.
I'm a stranger here In New York. |
don't know anything about the city.
Couldn't you tell me which way the
numbers run here? Do they run from
east to west or from north to south?
1T was then that the man turned
from the fence and with an angry
swing of his arm, made a circle of the
park.
"'They run that way he answered
testify. He looked at me. | saw his
face. l raised an arm. There was
rush. a short struggle as the cursing,
biting, kicking man sought to evade
the handouts and then Tom Barton
was started to the station.
But Tom Barton was different
type of person from his fiancee He
disregarded every question. He re-
fused, even under threats, to answer
anything that was asked Of him.
AT last, however, he looked up and
with a sneer admitted what We had
been questioning him to obtain-the
fact that he was a deserter from the
United States army. Then the real
work began.
"'Where did you get that bruise on
your head?' one of the detectives
asked.
"'Where do you suppose?' came the
insolent query in response. I got 1t
working, of course.
"'Where?
"'None of your business!'
"'Dont answer me that way! The
detective leaned forward.
"Ill answer you any way I please,
came the sneering response. why
cant you let fellow be? You've got
your fifty dollars reward for getting
next to a slipaway, now let me alone.
l want to go to sleep
1--WE want you for something more
than deserting,' said. we want you
for cracking a safe in Chicago, and
whether you confess 1t or not, we've
got the goods on you
1.-The prisoner sneered again.
"'All right he said. Prove 1t.
amt been near Chicago
81 smiled happily.
"'Haven't your I asked. Very we'll,
we'll show that you have. O'Leary,
scratch his wrist there and take
sample Of his blood
"The man looked up.
"'What are you going to do with
;that?' he asked.
"'Prove our case against you,' was
my answer, and he stared at me.
"'What have you got up your
sleeve? he questioned queerly.
"None of your business. Hold out
,yo,r wriat Cantain will you aend n