Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-25

sion.
In half an hour Jimmy went down
stairs and through the cafe. He was
now dressed in tasteful and well fit
ting clothes and carried his busted and
cleaned suit case in his hand.
Got anything on?" asked Mike Do
Ian genially.
"MeY said Jimmy, in a puzzled tone
Il don't understand. Tm representing
the New York Amalgamated Short
Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled
Wheat company"
This statement delighted Mike ia
such an extent that Jimmy had to take
u seltzer and milk on the spot, He new
or touched hard drinks.
A week after the release Of Yalen-
tine, 9762, there was a neat job OF
safe burglary done in Richmond, Ind,
with no clew to the author. A scant
$500 was all that was secured. Two
weeks after that patented, improved,
burglar proof safe In Logansport was
opened like a cheese to the tune Of
$1,000 currency; securities and silver
untouched. That began to interest the
rogue catchers. Then an old fashioned
bank safe In Jefferson City became
active and threw out of its crater an
eruption OF banknOtes amounting 10
$1,000 The losses were now high
enough to bring the matter up into
Ben Prices class Of work. By compar-
ing notes remarkable similarity in
The methods Of the burglaries was no
tlced. Ben Price Investigated the
scenes of the robberies and was heard
TO remark:
That's Dandy Jim Valentines auto
graph. He's resumed business. Look
at that combination knob-jerked out
as easy as pulling up a radlsh in wet
weather. He's got the only clamps
that can do It. And look how clean
those tumblers were punched out!
Jimmy never has to drill but one hole.
Yes, / guess want Mr. Valentine.
He'll do his bit next time without any
short time or clemency foolishness."
Ben Price knew Jlmmy's habits. He
had learned them while working up
the Springfield case. Long jumps,
quick getaways, no confederates and
a taste for good society-these ways
had helped Mr.. Valentine to become
noted as a successful dodger Of retri-
button. 1t was given out that Ben
Price had taken up the trail OF the
elusive eracksman. and other people
with burglar proof safes felt more at
fase.
One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and
his suit case climbed out OF the mail
hack In Gilmore, a little town five miles
off the railroad down In the blackjack
country Of Arkansas. Jimmy, looking
like an athletic young senior just home
from college, went down the board
sidewalk toward the hotel.
A young lady crossed the street,
passed him at the corner and entered
4 door over which was the sign The
Gilmore Bank" Jimmy Valentine look
ed into her eyes. forgot what he was
and became another man She lower
ed her eyes and colored slightly.
Young men Of Jlmmy's style and looks
were scarce IN Elmore.
Jimmy collared boy that was loaf
ing on the steps Of the bank as II he
were one OF the stockholders and began
to ask him questions about the town,
feeding him dimes at Intervals. By
and by the young lady came out, look
ing royalty unconscious OF the young
man with the suit case and went her
way.
Isn't that young lady Miss Polly
simpson," asked Jimmy, with speclous
guile.
Nav" said the boy; she's Annabel
Adams. Her pa owns this bank.
Whatd you come to Gilmore for? is
that a gold watch chain? I'm going
TO get bulldog. Got any more
dlmes?"
Jimmy went to the Planters hotel,
registered as Ralph d, Spencer and en-.
gagged n room. He leaned on the desk
and declared his platform to the clerk.
He said he had come to Gilmore to look
FOR location to go into business. How
was the shoe business now in the
town2 He had thought Of the shoe
business. Was there an opening?
The clerk was impressed with the
clothes and manner of Jimmy. He
himself was something Of pattern of
fashion to the thlnly gilded youth of
Elmore, but he now perceived his
shortcomings While trying to figure
out Jlmmy's manner OF tying his four
n-hOnd he cordially gave information.
Yes, there ought to- be good open
Ing In the shoe line There wasn't an
exclusive shoe store in the place The
dry goods and general stores handled
them. Business In all lines was fairly
good Hoped Mr.. Spencer would de-
eide to locate in Gilmore. He would
lind 1t pleasant town to live in and
the people very sociabe.
Mr., Spencer thought he would stop
over In the town few days and look
over the situation, No, the clerk
needn't sail the boy, He would carry
up his suit case himself. 1t was rather
heavy.
Mr.. Rafph Spencer the phoenix that
arose from Jimmy Valentines ashes
ashes left by the flame Of a sudden