The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-13
This was Adrian Noble, and he had

This was Adrian Noble, and he had
set himself to attempt to win the re-
ward offered for the oblong blue
wallet. Noble was not detective.
but an accidental acquaintance with
one of the officers who had pursued
Flynn had put him in full possession
of all the circumstances of the case.
So impressed was he with the convic-
ton that in some mysterious manner
the thief had secreted his booty be-
tween the point Of robbery and Sign
Fl, that he had scanned every hole in
the sidewalk, had probed under it. and
had peered into a~cas and past drain
age gratings, hoping to find clue.
ITS like looking for needle in n
haystack!" he sighed rather disap-
pointedly, as. for the fiftieth time per-
haps, he came to a halt in front of
Sign 81.
It was q large framework Of smooth
boards covering the front Of fifty
foot lot between two brick buildings.
1t was about twenty feet high.
I've got an ideal" suddenly ex-
claimed the young man. Suppose the
thief threw the wallet over the top
Of the sign into the vacant lot be-
yond-why not? All! little door.
This may be worth investigating"
Way down at one corner end of the
big sign, sure enough, narrow door
showed The poster sheets covering
It had been cut SO the door would
swing inwards Noble pushed it open.
for the owners Of the signboard, so
they could get behind the sign to re-
pair it or strengthen it's supports when
necessary. What was his surprise,
however, to find steps leading down
into the vacant lot, about its middle a
wandering tool shed, made over into
quito presertable living structure.
And what the further surprise OF
the young viclinist struggling for a
living. to observe neat attractive flow
er beds in front of the little house
and seated in it's doorway charming
young girl sewing. She looked
startled as the young man somewhat
embarrassed came towards her, his hat
in his hand, an apology for intrudine
upon his lips.
Naturally Adrian Noble explained
to the young lady his mission. She
was inn, ediately interested and hearc
of the case for the first time. She was
drawn irresistibly towards her hand
some, bright-faced visitor. She ever
joined him in the search for the blu'
wallet. but the quest was fruitless.
Gradually Noble learned her strang,
history. Her father owned the lot
1t was valuable. but he had spent al
, he had in litigating with q claimant
, All the time in their humble abode
however, he had kept in possession
Mr.. Warren worked in factory nea
, by. Zelia helped by keeping hous
, and sewing for a department store
They had managed to clear the lo
between them. but the taxes were b.
hind. Another thousand dollars save
and they could borrow enough to bull
a store structure and receive goo
income from the investment.
After that Adrian Noble forgot q
|, about the blue wallet in becoming
regular visitor to the place. Thos
two innocent spirits seemed made on
for the other and John Warren di
not object to their new friend.
One evening Noble arrived at II
lot to find the sign in ruins. sevel
windstorm had blown It down. I'll
sign owners had given 1t to Ware
for kindling wood and were going
build an entirely new one Noble a
sisted In pulling the mass apart al
piling up the loose board. Sudden
: he uttered q wild cry.
The blue wallet" he shouted.
Yes, there 1t was-pasted under u
poster sheet as hiding place by Il
dead thief and come to light at last
And so the reward was gained, 81
ing to John Warren the means Of !
trieving his adverse fortune. to Adrii
Noble enough to marry on and