Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-02-03


is called upon to match his wits
against criminal cunning. Many OF
lifes most intricate and perplexing
complications flow out of acts that are
innocent enough in themselves, or even
inspired by the most praiseWorthy OF
motives; but, of course, whose distant
results could not possibly have been
imagined, much less anticipated
Cases like these form pleasant breaks
In the depressing, monotonous process
sion of such as owe their origin to
criminal activity or illegitimate prac
tices.
At the same time the domestic prob
lens are often the most difficult to
cope with; all Of the operatives re-
sources of intelligence, skill and ex'
perience are sometimes bafiied; but
many of them offer phases OF interest
that are quite as compelling as when
he is trying to solve, say, an unusual
murder All sorts of eccentrics are
met with; queer traits of character
play their part; sometimes the partlci
pants are PLUNGED into tragedy, or else
tragedy is averted only in the nick OF
time. The archives of the Sutherland
Detective agency conceal the RECORDS
of many cases of this description.
One of these unusual cases was
brought to the attention of Felix Haz-
ard in a rather remarkable way.
Nearby the Sutherland Offices was
shabby little shop, whose proprietor
dealt in all sorts of curious odds and
ends, though his tastes ran chiefly to
old books. The shop, in truth, reflect
ed the proprietor's quaint character,
and most of his curios were so ex-
tremely bizarre that they attracted
purchasers by their striking and fan
tastic oddity. Thus the old man,
whose name was Philo Godall, pros.
pered.
One morning when Hazard was in
the shop Godall spread upon the dirty
showcase a booksellers trade journal
and pointed to a certain advertise
ment.
Here is something peculiar" said
he. Il have seen that advertisement,
or one just like it. in four or five diff
ferent papers during the past week"
Hazard looked where the old mans
finger was pointing, and read:
II WILL PAY $1,000 FOR TWO GER
TAIN BOOKS.
"The title pages of the two books show
them to be-
Il. Principal Navigations, VOYAGES
and Discoveries Of the English Nation,
by Richard Hakluyt London, 1882
20. "A Particular Discourse Concern
ing Western Discoveries, by Richard
Hakluyt, London, 1884.
These two volumes are not genuine,
but spurious, first editions, and are
intrinscally worth only the paper upon
which they are printed,
"As heirlooms, however. they have
a value to the Undersigned, who will
pay $1,000 $500 for each volume) up
on delivery to him in an unmutilated
or otherwise undamaged condition.
when the library of the late H.
Sydenor Gray was disposed OF in June,
1913, the two books specified were in
cluded in the catalogue by mistake.
am extremely anxious to recover them.
Address: Edward S. Gray, R. F. d.
IA, Unaminee, ILL.,"
Hazard looked at the old dealer.
Well" said he, what's SO peculiar
about that?"
Before replying, Godall stopped and
fshed something from underneath the
counter He laid two dingy, scratched
and battered leather-bound volumes
upon the showcase.
There" he announced, ARE the
very books the young man Is so eager
to get"
The detective examined them curl
ously, and as the conversation pro-
ceeded he ran through the pages with
deft fingers, now and then pausing to
examine one or another with more par.
ticularity.
why young?" he asked. DO you
know him?"
I've seen him. 1t was l who bought
most of old Sydenor Gray's library
these two among the rest of the books
He had very little that was worth a
good deal, and so of course they didn't
add much to the estate.
But the funny part about it is that
several weeks ago sold these very
same books, and after seeing the ad
yertisement for the first time, to save
my soul all l could remember of the
transaction was that had accepted q
dollar apiece for them l hadn't the
faintest recollection Of who had bought
them.
II didn't worry much about 1t
though; l thought, If the purchaser
should chance upon this advertisement
he'll find he's made good invest
ment,' and dismissed the matter from
my mind.
We'll, sir, what do you think! No
more than an hour ago he came blus
tering in here and slammed then
down on the counter in a towering
| rage-said I'd cheated him, and 80 on
Tried to sell 'em, guess, to some
body that knew more about old edi
tions than he did.
| 81 didn't argue with him; l gave
him back his two dollars and he wen
away apparently satisfied" Godal
chuckled in high good humor.
Hazard congratulated him on hi
| 80 y.