River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-06-05
CHAPTER Viii.
Strange Doings for George.

That evening George sat so long
over the newspapers that in spite of
my absorbing interest in the topic en-
crossing me, fell asleep in my cozy
little rocking chair was awakened
by what seemed like a kiss falling
very softly on my forehead, though, to
be sure, it may have been only the
flap of Georges coat sleeve as he
stopped over me.
wake up, little woman" 1 heard.
land trot away to bed. I'm going cut
and may not be in till daybreak."
you! going out! at ten o'clock
at night, tired as you areas we both
are! What has happened-Ah!"
This broken exclamation escaped
me as / perceived in the dim back
ground by the sitting-room door, the
figure of man who called up recent,
but very thrilling experiences.
"Mr Sweetwater," explained George.
1--WE are going out together. It is
necessary, or you may be sure
should not leave YOU"
He gave me a little good advice as
to how had better employ my time
in his absence, and was off before 1
could find words to answer.
As soon as the two were in the
street, the detective turned towards
George and said:
"Mr Anderson, / have a great deal
to ask of you. Mr. Brotherson has
vanished; that is, in his own proper
person, but have an idea that l am
on the track of one who will lead us
very directly to him if we manage
the affair carefully. What I want of
you, of course, is mere identification
You saw the face of the man who
washed his hands in the snow, and
would know it again, you say. Do you
think you could be quite sure of your
self, if the man were differently
dressed and differently occupied?"
81 think so. There's his height and
a certain strong look in his face.
cannot describe it."
"You don't need to. Come! we're
all right. You don't mind making a
night of it?"
mot if 1t is necessary"
THAT we can't tell yet" And with
characteristic shrug and smile, the
detective led the way to a taxicab
which stood IN waiting at the corner.
A quarter of an hour of rather fast
riding brought them into a tangle of
streets on the East side.
When they stopped, which was in a
few minutes, Sweetwater said to
George:
I'VE shall have to walk now for a
block or two. If you can manage to
act as if you were accustomed to the
place and just leave all the talking to
me, we ought to get along first-rate.
Don't be astonished at anything you
see, and trust me for the rest; that's
ALL"
They alighted, and he dismissed the
taxicab. Some clock in the neighbor-
hood struck the hour of ten.
Good! we shall be in time" NUT
tered the detective, and led the way
down the street and round corner
or so, till they came to a block dark
er than the rest, and much less noisy.
There's meeting on tonight, OF
the Associated Brotherhood of the
Anvil, the Plane and the Trowel (what-
ever that means), and it is the speak
er We want to see; the man who is to
address them promptly at ten o'clock.
Do you object to meetings?"
'Is this a secret one?"
1T wasn't advertised"
"Are we carpenters or masons that
we can count on admittance?"
Flush. 1 must speak to this man"
George stood back, and few words
passed between Sweetwater and a
shadowy figure which seemed to have
sprung up out of the sidewalk.
Baked at the outset" were the en-
couraging words with which the de-
tective rejoined George. ct seems
that a password is necessary, and my
friend has been unable to get it. Will
the speaker pass out this way?" he
inquired of the shadowy figure still
lingering in their rear.
He didn't go in by it; yet believe
he's safe enough inside" was the
muttered answer.
Sweetwater had no relish for disap-
pointments of this character, but it
was not long before he Strengthened
I'D and allowed himself to exchange
few more words with this mysterious
person. These appeared to be OF a
more encouraging nature than the
last. for it was not long before the de-
tectiye returned with renewed alac-