The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-12
The HOUR and MINUTE
BY GEORGE MUNSoN.

AheiStoH was tuc dCuteSG IQluO
not connected with any regular police
bureau. as everyone knew. But Mary
Harrington did not believe that he
could save her husband, Charles, from
dying an atrocious death. This was
the situation, as she outlined it to him
In the parlor of the lonely little coun.
try house:
There were three brothers, Henry,
James and Charles. The two elder
ones were unmarried. The father had
left his money equally among the
three, but. after the two elder ones
were dead, 1t was all to vest in the
youngest, Charles. II he died child.
less, 1t was to be divided equally be-
tween the widow and Stephen Barnes,
a step-brother by a second marriage,
whom old Harrington had hated.
Stephen was a ne'er-do-well, and held
a position as a jewelers. assistant in
the little nearby town.
Three months previously, at 1887.
the body Of the eldest brother had
been found, blown to pieces, upon the
footpath of field leading from the
town to his home. The time of his
death was indicated by his watch,
which was found fairly intact beside
him. Whether he had been the VIC
tim Of an assassin's bomb or what
had happened nobody could ascertain.
After some weeks of investigation the
matter ceased to be one of immediate
public interest.
Exactly two months later the sec.
ond brother died. A violent explosion
shook the house in which the family
lived. The body of James was found
In his bed, with gaping wound in
the abdomen. The evidence given by
Mary Harrington at the inquest
showed that he died at five minutes
past one.
That was all, except that Charles
was momentarily expecting the same
fate.
Singleton thought for about eight
minutes, resting motionless in his
chair.
"Will you let me see your watch? 2
he asked of Charles at the end Of that
period.
Charles Harrington gave him hi
watch. Singleton took of the cast
and examined 1t under a microscope
"You haven't had 1t regulated late
ly?" he asked.
mo. 1t is strange you should ash
me that, because my step-brothel
Stephen is always anxious to regu
late 1t for nothing when l 60 int
the shop"
I "Ah! You don't suspect him o
completely in this AFFAIR.""
Good heavens. MOI" answered
Charles Harrington.
"He had regulated your brothers
watches before the murder Of each?
Now, that is odd" answered
Charles. He certainly had, but-yo1
don't suggest there was a bomb In
side the watch of Henry or James,"
Hardly" answered Singleton
Howeyer-suppose you take you
watch to Stephen and let him regu
late it. Arrange to call for 1t at 81
the store doesn't close till six,
suppose?"
The day arranged was Ave ahead
At the appointed hour Charles Hal
rington duly met Singleton outsid
the jewelers. shop. He accosted him
but Singleton only stared at hir
blankly.
Il am afraid you have the advantag
Of me, sir" he answered.
Charles remembered and went II
Singleton, following, saw a pale-facet
meager.looking man, with furtive e.
preston, standing behind the counter
well, I've got your watch ready
Charley" he said, and, opening
drawer, he handed 1t to him. "Wha
can l do for you, sir?" he continue
to the detective.
The detective took the watch fror
Charles Harrington's hands.
Charley" burst out Stephen. Il FOL
got something. Will you let me kee
your watch TIL tomorrow? Ter
The clocks in the shop pointed t
20 minutes past the hour.
Singleton laid the watch down o.
the counter, but kept his hand over II
Stephen grabbed at It, and Singleton
grabbed Stephen by the collar.
Games up" he said briefly. Wit
the other hand he turned the watcl
over. Hold him, Mr.. Harrington, ur
til stop the Internal thing" he said
He opened the case and stopped tn
watch, twisting the hairspring into
mass Of tangled wire. Then b.
opened the glass.
Look at the minute hand" he salt
to the jeweler.
1T looks kind of dirty" said the oil
man. But what-what-"
what is il? illuminate Of iodide
and the most violent explosive known
In four minutes this tiny mass pasted
under the minute hand would hav'
caught the hour hand, and then-well
you can guess what would have hap
pened. But the cunningest murderer
always leaves a trail, and he left hi