Willmar tribune., 1914-09-16

the city. He coursed It's two or three
business streets much as hunting dog
would range in its preliminary run
over field.
He had not forgotten the testimony
of Montgomery that he was an appren-
tice machinist, and he remembered the
story of the boys anxiety for his kit
of tools. He drifted among the men
who handled the machinery of the cot
ton mills with story that he wanted
to start up a small foundry with a
partner who was an expert. All the
while his keen little eyes studied close
ly the face of every man he met.
After several days OF preliminary
scouting he visited the Office Of the
United States district attorney for the
Greenville district. He explained his
mission and showed his credentials.
He asked the district attorney to ex-
tend to the police Of New York his aid
in intercepting letter that would be
mailed In Greenville to certain ad
dress in Nyack, N. Y.
Letters from one man had been mail
ed quarterly to Nyack from the noun
tain city. One should be mailed dur
ing the first days Of June. II possible
he desired to see the man who mailed
it. If he could find nothing more than
the point at which the letter was mail
ed that would help, for it would mar
row his field of inquiry.
The United States district attorney
knew only that search was being
made for an escaped convict. The pO-
lice Of the great cities and the United
States secret service generally work in
harmony, so the district attorney turn
ed over the detective to a postal in
spector.
Kearney determined to give his per-
sonal attention to the people who came
and went from the postoffice building.
he was back on the trail after eleven
years. Indeed. eleven years were as
eleven days to him. If his natural
span of life had been seventy decades
instead of seven he would have been
patient through the whole 700 years.
He had not been able to pick up the
lost tracks Of Hawkins, but Hawkins
was skilled in the tricks of the under
world The real man he was after had
been but a country boy when he was
sent up for life. In lodging the law
he had big chances against him be-
cause of his inexperience. He would
make many mistakes. He had made
one-sending money to Nyack. 1t is
police axiom that even the most care
full Of criminals sometimes overl0oks an
important detail in covering himself.
Kearney watched and waited, keep
ing his ears open all the time to catch
the gossip of small city. There was
one big topic that seemed to hold the
attention Of the people who flocked to
the postoffice at intervals during the
day. 1t was the marriage Of John Mel
son to Molly Bryan, the daughter Of
the president Of the Reedy River Cot
ton Mill company.
From fragments of conversation
Kearney learned that these two people
were much beloved, the girl because Of
her beauty and her earnest work
among the poor of the mill settlements
and the man because Of sanity life.
At sunset on the evening Of the third
day in June. just as the postoffice was
about to close and as the last Of the
idlers began to depart man of serious
mien. wearing beard touched with
gray, stepped from an automobile in
front of the building. He entered and
went to one Of the mail slots, dropping
letter therein.
1t had hardly touched the bottom of
the little chute when three distinct
knocks sounded on the glass window
pane behind the detective. It was the
signal agreed upon between the clerk
within and the man on watch outside
A thrill Of exultation that was worth
waiting eleven years to experience shot
through Kearney. His hands itched to
close on the arm Of this person. The
mastering Of this one emotion Of which
has nature was capable eft him aston
ished, for he had not expected to come
upon man Of the type before him.
There was something 50 grave in the
eyes Of his quarry and in the cast Of
his countenance that one could easily
have mistaken him for q preacher Of
the word Of God. His carriage was
dignifed, and he was dressed soberly
and without ornament.
The people on the steps of the post
Office had drawn back respectfully be-
fore him, touching their hats. 1t was
evident that he was widely known and
that he was revered.
Kearney had not determined what
step to take next when the man whose
shadow he was to become was stopped
by another.
"Oh, Mr. Nelson," cried the citizen
accosting him, II would like to wish
you all the happiness in the world the
day before your marriage"
Nelson's face broke into a smile of
pleasure.
'Thank you, SIR" he replied. II
could never hope to deserve all the
good wishes that have been offered
me-" He looked embarrassed and re-
turned to his machine outside.
| Kearney had studied him from the
! crown of his head to his heels. III
that man was Jim Montgomery the
change was remarkable. He made No
attempt to follow him. He felt sure
that Nelson had not seen him. A man
as prominent in the community as
Nelson was could be easily found at
any hour Of the day or night. and
then, too, the morrow was his wedding
day!
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