Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-08-07
SKELETON-CLAW BOB.
To His Sorrow Burglar Thought
He Was Dealing With an
Amateur Detective.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

In the CllHuale cOllerleS 1 peCdho
aware Of an amusing situation. My
buddy" Dan Hughes, the young man
who helped me drill holes and load
coal, began eyeing me covertly and
seemed to be taking my measure.
laughed and made light of 1t, but 1t
was not long till | was on to what
was ailing him.
/ slipped into his room at the board
ing house one night without taxing
the trouble to knock. He was un-
doubtedly startled, as he hastily began
gathering up some papers and things'
which he crowded into the drawer
of the little table beside him. Quick
as had been his movement, was en-
abled to see the heading of one OF
the papers, American Detective
Journal" and when the boy observer
that had noticed it he blushed like
a girl and hung his head. After that
it didn't require a very discerning
mind to guess that Dan had fallen
victim to the widely circulated adver-
tisement Of Detectives wanted In
every locality; send five dollars for
description of parties wanted In your
locality, for whom big rewards are Of
fered, and complete outfit, including
start, credentials, system OF identinca'
ton, etc. Write at once to Nick Car
ter Agency"
It wasn't very polite, but ! couldn't
help laughing uproariously, which
made Dams embarrassment all the
greater. After awhile he decided to
make a clean breast of 1t, but pledged
me on my solemn word Of honor not
to tell what an easy fish he had been.
He showed me his great tin star, bear
ing in prominent letters the legend:
Special Detective officer. North
American Private Police Association;
slung shot, bright-looking but
unserviceabe revolver, a fierce set OF
false whiskers, brass knuckles and
dark lantern.
And this callow youth expected to
trap professional burglars and high
waymen with an outfit like that!
AS he went on showing the ludi-
crous things he became more conf
Dental and finally pulled out his de-
tective journal and pointed to the pic
ture of man who was wanted in
Montreal for unloading a jewelry safe
OF something like $4,000 worth of dia-
monds and trinkets. Felix Canover,
alias Skeleton Claw Bob" was given
the honor OF a dark suspicion, but
the advertisement candldly admitted
the authorities we're in doubt.
"And at first | was fool enough to
think 1t was you, Jack" the duped
boy said, in apologize tones; Il don't
know why, unless 1t was because your
fingers are long and slender like a
woman's."
smiled at the compliment and pat
ted him friendly on the shoulder.
MY boy," said. even II you did
locate Felix, OF 'Skeleton-Claw Bob,
as they picturesquely describe him, II
wouldn't be worth a cent to you. They
only have a suspicion that he's the
man; you would have to prove he dit
the job to get your reward, which.
|, fancy. would be somewhat difficult
because, II he had sense enough t
break into that safe, he would know
too much to carry discriminating evi
dence about with him."
Dan mournfully admitted the trutl
Of the observation. and then sud
denly rising, he grabbed up his detee
, tive papers and paraphernalia, and be
, fore could stay him, thrust tn
, whole mass into the stove.
, THAT ends my career as detec
tive" he said, decidedly; pleas
don't tell the boys, Jack"
or course | promised and we ligh
ed our pipes and sat down to gam
, OF California Jack"
After the little episode Dan SCENE
!, TO trust me more than ever, and W
became even better chums than b'
= fore.
Dan was very much enamored c
!, the blonde young woman who serve
: US at meal time, and was her dutift
cavalier whenever she wanted to 6
anywhere after the dishes wer
washed. One evening in the earl
summer I involuntarily heard col
versation between her and Dan o
! the yeranda. Dan seemed TO be bel
: glng her to make n date with him
the theater the next evening. whe
: this came to my startled ears:
you know would 20, Dannie." sh
said in gentlest tones. but / hay
promised Mr.. Richards"
u As Richards was no one but m
y self, you can't blame me for bein
n little interested. And hadn
spoken word TO the girl! But no
" common gallantry would force me
do something. ! walked over to n
y glass. stroked my mustache lit
L. and smoothed my hair.
J. "All right, Katie" the boy WI
saying, III it's old Jack, ! don't car
), but I'd hate to be thrown down Z,
y anyone else"
= heard Dams footsteps as he move
% out OF the yard on the way to tow
and surmised that Katie must
/" alone. The girl looked charming OF
;. there In the moonlight, with the s
a yer rays glintlng on her fuzzy gold,
:, hair and lighting up her smooth, viii
face. She was little startled
frat hut I fancied abe was NOT al