The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-12-17

but he didn't notice.
"Sure!" said he. Take your time"
l ran out.
The police station isn't a block dis
tant. Hardyburg is quite a city. and
we've got good men IN the force.
The chief is a friend of mine. He
was there.
Rick" I gasped excitedly. you
remember the Sparkling murder?"
He nodded.
Yes, mysterious killing. We never
traced that fellow. The rewards
good yet. His relatives never with
drew it. Back number. now. Why"
i've got him." l whispered; "Over
in the shop. He suspects nothing.
He's the chap without q shadow of
doubt"
emotionally. Take a man along, too.
You're off, probibly, but strange
things happen"
Entering quietly. l hung back.
There might be shooting.
The stranger looked up.
Hello, Rick" he exclaimed Glad
to see you. Who told you l vas in
town."
We'll Flip Morgan, l thought l
saw your back going in here a while
ago. You've got to have dinner with
me-"
He pushed his man forward.
Carson wants to meet you," he
o,;j NOro &c ~y host or1 , rr1,t
admirer of yours. Mr.. Morgan, Car
SON."
Then he turned on me scowling.
You blamed goat" he muttered
under his breath; that mar is a
crack Observation-Disclosures Agency. Go
off and die"
"He killed Linus Sparkling" l whis
pered back, beside myself with dis
appointment. He's got the scar! He
fits the description-he@"
SHUT up!" The chew elbowed me
into the corner. You crazy fool. Be
quiet now"
Morgan had shot one careless
glance at me, as if half hearing. He
went on talking to Carson, who was
lost in his words, but l could wear
that his eyelids twitched.
Presently he moved over to the
chief, putting a hand on his shoulder.
~ intended to Catch the noon train,
but there is one at three O'Clock. That
will do as we'll. Is it grub at the
She always wants TO get back to those
district schooldays. So do l. Rather
a dull subject for you, though, old
man"
Il like to hear you" the chief
grinned. Come on"
But Morgan paused, curiously gsz-
ing at me.
what was hat you said, barber?"
he asked pleasantly. Did l hear you
mention the old Sparkling case?"
ooh, sort OF in joke" l quavered,
completely disarmed. @4Pll tell the
truth. OF course l didn't know who
you were. IEI-that is, you answered
a description l once read"
"Ard brought Rick Grimshav
over?" He laughed heartily "1ts
all right, Rick. I'll tell your wife
The chief gave a disguised grunt
What about me?" inquired the de
t%ective, smiling. "Tve a dim recol
lection of that murder. Do l resem
Bile tho suspect, and how? Honestly
! may( tu1n this to account. If
have the mans description in my owl
person, it's worth knowing. CO
ahead, friend; you won't hurt my
feelings"
"By Jove, Rick" explained Morgan
reading. Listen to this! If
couldn't prove an alibi you nigh
make a Doodle. Scar? | haven't an!
scar. Still, that isn't of much &C
count. The rest is mighty good"
You have a scar; that's wha
started me. " l spoke timidly.
Where? Show me-"
Give me a hand-glass :" He back
ed to the mirror and examined thu
thing.
Hanged if / haven't" he muttered
supposedly. Il do remember now
Jimmy Tinker cut my head open TWEEN
ty-five years ago with one Of those big
squa.e inkstands. Little chaps a
school we were, and had affight. r
forgotten it. A queer. coincidence
I'll keep an eye out for my trouble"
Again he carefully read the descriI
ton.
Funny" said he, closing the bool
, Here's my card, Mr. Barber. Yo
: ought to be one of US. Better luc
: next time. Murder will OUT yo
know"
I After shaking my hand cordially
3 he winked at the chief, then at me.
zone important thing you've ovel
looked" he remarked solemnly.
Whats that?"
!, your money" laughed Morgan.
So l had.
AS 1 heard them go chatting dow
, the stairs, I flung the scrap-boo
\ across the room.
! "Tm stuck with my own paste!
4 was my angry explanation. "The chic
will never let me hear the last
e this"
But a month later, when l read /
i, poorn;no popor that Mnrpan ha