The Washington herald., 1914-07-26

/ little side work Tor me along detective
lines He can at least keep his eye on
the other three possibilities.
III.
Harry farley turned out to be all that
his fond uncle had intimated. and even
more. Not only was he the most per-
feet bellboy that ever was. but he was
frankly one Of the most engaging youths
have ever met as well. He was full
Of fun and brimful OF ideas, and ap-
parently tireless worker. Every morn
ing he was out at his lobster pots pro-
viding the most delectable sea fruit. fresh
and sweet. for the Rock Hill guests.
Every afternoon and evening he was on
duty answering the bell. doing odd Jobs
Tor all the old ladies Of the house, who
seemed to adore him. and loaning books
from what he called The farley Circu-
lating Library.
i tell you, Jenkins" said Rawson enc
afternoon as We sat in my room over
| looking the sea together, that farley
| youngster 10 some boy. I've taken him
on as my first assistant deputy sleuth-
| and 1t would really surprise you to see
how quickly he has qualified for the
work"
He must have been thrilled when you
appointed him." said !.
He was" said Rawscn. He fairly
quivered with joyous excitement. 1 told
him frankly what I was up here for. who
was, and how I had to have somebody
to help me. ! told him how highly his
uncle had spoken OF him, and how IN
watching him at his work had come 70
have full confidence in him and in his
intelligence. He was delighted, and be-
gan Immediately to pour forth his ideas
on the subject. He showed very cleverly
Just how the rooms that had been rob-
bed could have been entered from the
outside, and in a great many ways mani
Tested fine knowledge OF the ways Of
detectives as these have been presented
In fiction. Altogether whether or not
succeed in ferreting out the mystery
here 1t will have been worth while Just
to get hold of that boy. II Jemmison
will let go Of him I'll make a second
Sherlock Holmes out OF him"
Had he any theory as 10 the guilty
party l queried.
Only a vague one" said Rawson. But
he hotly resented the idea that IL was
any Of his fellow-bellboys. He assured
me that they were all straight. and was
ready 10 bet his life on the honesty Of
Sam Roberts"
As Rawson spoke there came a tap on
the door. and in response to his come
n the subject OF our conversation en-
erred. He seemed greatly agitated.
Well Harry. what is it?' said Raw
son.
sam Roberts is going to leave. sir"
said he. Hes up in his room now put
ting on his old clothes and says he won't
stay in this place another minute"
Does he give any reason for going?"
asked Rawson.
Yes. sir" said Harry. He overheard
old Mrs. Herrick telling Mr.. Van Arsdale
this morning that she thought he was the
one who took the things, and he's mad
all through about it"
'welI-can you blame him, Harry
said Rawson. You'd feel the same way
yourself wouldn't you
7 sure would" replied the boy. But
wouldn't run, just the same. Thatd
be a pretty sure sign I was guilty"
That's good logic" said Rawson.
Just you go back upstairs and tell
Sam Roberts I want to see him
Harry was of in a nash. and few
moments later Sam Roberts stood be-
fore US
Sam" said Rawson kindly. laying
his hand on the lads shoulder. Harry
tells me you are going TO leave US
Yes. sir" said Sam.
why" asked Rawson.
Well sir-because-becaus I think
/ must" faltered the lad. live been
doiu' my best. Mr.. Rawson." he added.
his voice trembling and tears coming
into his eyes. I've been doin' my best
TO make nv way IN the world, and l
work as hard and as well as l know
how. sir. And now all 1 get for II |
is TO have old Mrs. Herrick goin' about
tellin' people I'm a thief"
But you know you're not sam? |
said Rawson kindly.
The boys face paled.
I know know know l amt
one now. Mr.. Rawson." he blurted out. |
but I have been one. and I've serve1
time in a reform school. sir and II I
should be even accused now l just
couldn't convince anybody that
Here the youngster broke down COM
pletely and threw himself into chair.
sobbing as though his heart would
break.
Harry. Il know he didn't
why. Of course he didn't. SAID Raw
son. I'VE all know that he didn't. But.
Sam, my boy. il you start TO leave US
now you know what will happen, don't
your"
NO. sir" sobbed the boy.
Everybody will believe you guilty"
said Rawson.
IL hadn't thought Of that" said
Roberts, pulling himself together. IL
guess you're right, Mr.. Rawson-and I'll
-Tn stay-but don't-please don't let
them find me guilty, because I'm not
and don't want to have to 60 back"
Don't you worry, my boy" said Raw
son. You're as safe as a church. II
you go hack to the school I'll go with
you. Just you stick It out here, and
I'll guarantee that by tomorrow night
you'll be glad you've stayed. Harry and
I have been working on this case for
some little time now, and we've got our
eye on the guilty party
Thank you, SIR" SAID Sam gratefully.
TN stay. sir"
What did you mean. Mr.. Rawson. by
telling him that we had our eye on the
guilty party" asked Harry, when Rob
erts had departed
why, Harry" said Rawson. lighting
lis pipe. you have convinced me that
after all II is a sort Of semi-outside Job.
Il is an inside job worked from the out
Jide, Ell? And after thinking the whole
situation over I think I know well
enough how matters stand to promise a
solution at least by dinnertime tomor-
-ow. By the way-you don't happer to !
rave a copy Of "Rafies, or the Amateur
in your circulating library. l
10 you?"
Yes, have them both" said Harry,
shuf-they're 0uf inst pOW I'll fr,y -