Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-10-13
SKELET0N-CLAWB BOB
To his Sorrow Burglar Thought
He Was Dealing With an
Amateur LctsotWs.
BY EDGAR WHITE.

S"A.a "a an amusing situation. M
'b-uGy,' IAN Hughes, the young ma
who helped me drill holes and loa
coal. besan cycling me covertly an
seemed TO be taking my measure.
laughed and made light OF II, but
! was not long TIL | was on to whs
VAS di.irg him.
slipped into his room at the boar
irs hoGse che night without takin
tne ,rOG5le to knock. He was III
doubtedly startled. as he hastily bega
gathering up some papers and things
which he crowded into the drawe
VI the little table beside him. Quicl
as had been his movement. was en-
abled to see the heading OF one
the papers, American Detective
Journal" and when the boy observed
that had noticed it he blushed like
a girl and hung his head. After thai
il didn't require a very discerning
mind to guess that Dan had fallen a
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 identified
ton, etc. Write at once to Nick Car
ter Agency"
1t 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"
a slung shot, a bright-looking but
unserviceable revolver, fierce set OF
false whiskers, brass knuckles and a
dark lantern.
And this callow youth expected to
trap professional burglars and high
waymen with en- outfit like that!
AS he went on sio~ing the ludi-
crous things he became move CONN
Dental and finally pulled out his de- /
tective journal and pointed to the pic |
ture of a 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-ClaY Bob" was given
the honor Of dark suspicion. but
the advertisement candidly 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; 81 don't |
know why, unless it was because your
fingers are long and slender like a
/ smiled at the compliment and pat
ed him friendly on the shoulder.
Ny boy" I said, even if you did
ocate Felix, of 'Skeleton-Claw Bob
S they picturesquely describe him, il
wouldn't be worth cent to you. They
My have a suspicion that he's the
ian; you would have to prove he did
he job to get your reward, which, | |
ancy, would be somewhat difficult
ecause, if he had sense enough to
reak into that safe, he would know
DO much to carry discriminating evil
ence about with him"
Dan mournfully admitted the truth
the observation, and then sud
emily rising, he grabbed up his detec-
We papers and paraphernalia, and be-
IRE | could stay him, thrust the
hole mass into the stove.
That ends my career as a detec.
We" he said, decidedly; please
Dn't tell the boys, Jack"
OF course | promised and we light.
our pipes and sat down to a game
California Jack"
After the little episode Dan seemed /
trust me more than ever, and we |
scame even better chums than be-
re.
Dan was very much enamored of
e blonde young woman who served /
at meal time, and was her dutiful
waller whenever she wanted to go /
lywhere after the dishes were
ashed. One evening in the early [
INNER ! involuntarily heard a con- /
rsation between her and Dan on
e veranda. Dan seemed to be beg [
ng her to make a date with him to {
g theater the next evening, when
is came to my startled ears:
You know | would so, Dannie," she ] |
i'd in gentlest tones, but / have
omised Mr., Richards" &
AS Richards was no one but my J
II, you can't blame me for being
little interested. And hadn't {
oxen a word to the girl! But now t
mmon gallantry would force me to I
something. | walked over to the
ass, stroked my mustache a little q
ID smoothed my hair. q
"All right. Katie" the boy was t
ying, "if it's old Jack, don't care, U
1t I'd hate to be thrown down for
lyone else"
\ |