The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-12-19
Yes. and there Il figure seated at

ITS Ralph Barton" proclaimed
Davis. after . fxed glance through
the lace curtains.
All three Of the lurkers could vague
ly make out a figure at a desk. They
could see the head and arms move.
So far at least their prey had not es-
capped them.
HE may leave on n Of his myster-
ious journeys at any time." spoke the
detective. so we had better keep up
the watch"
This grew tiresome in two hours.
BY midnight Davis was bored to death.
Marcy fast asleep and the detective
FESTIVE and wearied. He reused up
his dull companions.
see here, you fellows" he OBJ
served, II 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 a 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-
yond.
"Baffed! outwitted!" he hi0ed
dramatically as he descended.
What now" queried Davis.
That Barton Of yours at the
desk"
Yes! yes?"
mo such thing-a dummy, an auto
maton. He has fooled US. He sus-
pected we we're watching and set up
one Of his clever inventions to deceive
u, come on. The coasts clear.
Well get in the house and see II we
can't find some discriminating clew."
A ladder was set up against the
house. a 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 rew proceeded to pry
into the desk. 1t was with a great
smirk Of triumph that the detective
unearthed q convict's suit.
That settled it!" he declared exult-
ingly. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS! All
l have to do nov Is to nab our
man"
They proceeded to make themselves
at home. Davis gleefully anticipated
the downfall Of his rival. The detec-
tive let M end Of q 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 all this?" challenged
a sudden voice. and all three Of the
watchers aroused from q doze about
daylight.
That's him-that's Barton!" spoke
Davis.
"Ha! Ralph Barton, l arrest you a.
a counterfeiter and an escaped con-
vict" grandiloQueatly announced the
detective, advancing, revolver in hand.
1t took ave minutes for Doctor Bar
ton TO understand how matters stood.
He smiled grimly. Then he said:
Il think We had better all go and
explain this case to a certified officer
Of justice-Judge Marcy"
He's a cool one-ali these des-
perate criminals are" whispered the
detective to Davis.
Misguided sleuth! no sneaked out Of
town without even asking for his fee,
and Davis went conveniently to visit
. distant relative, and Eugene Marcy
subsidized completely when the explana-
lions were made.
Ralph Barton's mysterious visits
had been to al old friend whose son
had got In with q band Of counter
~feiters, had been sent to q states
prison and escaped.
Penitent, his health broken, he had
just been sent safely out of the coun-
try by his sorrowing father, Doctor
Barton had attended him and the
counterfeit bills and the %convict's suit
he had brought away from his patient
to destroy.
What wicked people there are in
the world" cried the indignant Lucia,
when she was told Of the plot against
her lover.
And what happy ones!" smiled
Ralph fondly. as he placed loving
arms about her.
Copyright, 1919, by w. q. Chapman.)