The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1916-01-20

inspired by the most praiseworthy OF
motives; but, of course. whose distant
'esults 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 illegitmate prac-
tees.
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 oathed; but
many of them offer phases of interest
that are quite as compelling SIS 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 partici-
pants are PLUNGED into tragedy. or else
tragedy is ayerted 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 4
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 oddly. 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 man s
finger was pointing, and read:
81 WILL PAY $1,000 FOR TWO GER
TAIN BOOKS.
"The title pages of the two books show
them to be:
81 Principal Navigations, VOYAGES
and Discoveries of the English Nation,
by Richard Hakluyt, London. 1882.
SO. "A Particular Discourse Concern
ing Western Discoveries by Richard
Hakluyt. London. 1884.
These two volumes are not genuine
but spurious, first editions, and are
intrinsically worth only the paper upon
which they are printed.
"As heirlooms, however. they have
value to the undersigned, who will
pay 81 900 $500 for each volume) up
on delivery to him in an unmutilated
OF otherwise unchanged 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
II, Unaminee, H."
Hazard looked at the old dealer.
We'll" said he, whats so peculiar
about that?"
Before replying. Godall stopped ant
fished 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 yor
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 &
good deal, and so of course they didn
add much to the estate.
But the funny part about it is thai
several weeks ago | sold these very
same books, and after seeing the ad
vertisement for the first time. to save
my soul all could remember of the
transaction was that had accepted &
dollar apiece for them; | hadn't the
faintest recollection of who had bought
them
Il didn't worry much about il
though l thought, If the purchaser
should chance upon this advertisement
he'll find he's made a good invest
ment, and dismissed the matter from
my mind.
We'll. sir, what do you think! Not
more than an hour ago he came blus
tering in here and slammed them
down on the counter in a towering
rage-said I'd cheated him, and so on
Tried to self EN-. guess, to some
body that knew more about old edi
lions than he did.
Il didn't argue with him; I gave
him back his two dollars and he went
away apparently satisfied" Godall
ehuckled in high good humor
Hazard congratulated him on his
windfall and thought no more of the
incident until, some hours later, it was
recalled to his mind in surprising
manner.
A card was brought to his desk By
one Of the young men whose duty II
was to intercept callers the instant
they stepped from the elevator into
the reception room, The card bore
the name, Miss Crystal Gray" and in
a moment the names owner was ush-
cred into Hazards presence.
He beheld a tail. slender blonde
woman. pretty and smartly gowned
who carried herself with a quiet. as