Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-03

on the chair beside his bed he marvel
ed greatly. Then look Of satisfaction
passed over his face. Getting out of
bed. he examined the frock coat, the
waiStcoat the pantaloons. and saw
that they were new or of fine texture
and the latest cut. He seemed less in
tereSted in the mystery than in possess
ing himself of them. Putting them on,
he opened his bedroom door softly,
listened and, hearing no one stirring,
passed through the corridor. out of the
front door and southwark toward New
York
Dorothy expected that the traveller
would make a charge of theft at the
transposition of suits and during the
night had tried to invent story to
throw him off the track. In this she
failed. She could have accounted for
the exchange of an old suit for a new
one, but was unable to suppose any
reason why one should give up new
suit for an old one. When she diScov-
cred that the guest had gone off with
out word she came to the conclusion
that he was we'll satisfied with the
change and had stolen away lest it be
rectified. Content with this result. her
mind became absorbed In the other
part of the problem. the success of her
lovers disguise.
Leonard BECKER, after leaving the
Chatsworth manor house, proceeded
on his way northward. He had not
walked far before he met number Of
farmers armed with squirrel guns.
pitchforks and scythes, who on seeing
him set up shout and, rushing upon
him. made him their prisoner.
That's the man" exclaimed one of
them. I'D know him among q thou
sand by that suit of clothes"
! What charge have you against me-"
asked Blocker, much puzzled.
You robbed me last evening. taking
| all the money I had-$11.24."
| 81 robbed you? Where?"
i "In the hollow a mile up the road"
But | was not in the hollow up the
road last evening. At supper time I
was in Workers.
''Oh. you can prove your alibi to the
court"
So 1t was that Blocker. who was fee
ing from q charge of debt. was cap
tured on a charge of robbery. He was
taken northward to the scene of the
crime. a charge was made out against
him. and he was lodged in Jail. The
only comfort he had in the matter was
that he was not taken southwark,
where he would have met the bailiffS
from New York.
As soon as he was left alone he be-
gan to think Of what he should do. IL
he acknowledged bis identity he would
fall into the hands of those who would
prosecute him for debt. 1t was evil
dent to.him that the man whose clothes
he had taken had committed the rob-
berry with which he was charged.
During the day a country lad mount
ed on a farm horse rode up to the
Chatsworth manor house and handed
Dorothy note from her fiance in
! forming her of what had happened and
asking if the man who had lodged there
had gone and, If so. could she find him.
Dorothy was much chagrined. The only
hope of proving Bleeker's identity had
vanished with the stranger. 1t was
now plain that the transfer OF the
clothes was of far greater benefit to the
latter than in having exchanged an old
suit for a new one Dorothy was
obliged to return word TO her fiance
, that the traveller had gone away with
out her knowing Of his departure or
what direction he had taken.
A problem confronted Blocker.
Should he accept the sentence I'M
posed upon him for robbery or sur
render himself to his creditors? Both
courses meant long terms Of imprison-
, ment. and to the former charge was
, attached an odium that was not in
> volved in the other He concluded.
, however. to accept the charge of rob-
J berry temporarily, and If the sentence
was heavy he could establish his iden-
tity and go to prison for debt.
; Since no defense could be made
t, without declaring who he was he
pleaded guilty TO the charge on condi-
ton that he should receive light SEN
tence. Having been convicted and
, given two years Imprisonment. he
: went to prison. hoping that something
!, might turn up to shorten his term.
: A month had passed when Dorothy
Cbatsworth secured summons to ap-
pear as n. witness at trial OF man
for theft committed In Hartford. Conn.
On going INTO court. sue TttDSiliLtu
the man she had given supper and
: lodging He desired her 10 testify that
, on the night the theft was committed
in Hartford he was at her house on
= the Hudson river.
Dorothy had good head on her and
u after a talk with the prisoners law
yer agreed to prove for his client his
alibi. if he would exonerate Leonard
BECKER Of the crime for which he was
q suffering imprisonment. As soon as
e the jury brought in n verdict Of not
g guilty the released man executed pa
II pers proving BIeeker's innocence. This
II he could do without giving himself
i up. and both men were free.
e Leonard Blocker left for the west I'm
a medlately after his release and in a
ID new field made fortune. 1t is need
r less to say that he returned and took
'e his htrothed back with him as bis
g wife.