The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-08-21

IL she called on the police for informa-
ton, In case the missing girl were
there and the police were protecting
the candy woman the girl would be re-
moved, after which quite likely the
mouse would be openly investigated.
MISS Barlow faced problem. Be
Tore going further In her detective
work she must learn what was in
those upper stories. The matter seem.
ed simple enough. Indeed, it was too
simple to be used in a detective story.
But it stumped Miss Barlow. She was
obliged to call in man to assist her.
Tom Armstrong was an intimate
friend Of Miss Barlow Indeed, he
would have liked to be more than a
friend and might have been had he not
been considered too much of man
about town. Grace knew very well
that he was far more competent to fer
ret out anything In the way of gilded
vice than she was. One Of his sins
was a disposition to gamble. He
would likely know or be able to find
out whether a certain house was used
for gambling or, indeed, for any illegal
purpose.
Grace wrote Tom an invitation to
call upon her. He responded with
alacrity, thinking that she had relent-
ed toward him. Grace told the story
of her detective work and asked him
to find out for her what the rooms
above the candy store were used for
without his investigations being
known. Tom said he would do his
best When he reported he gave no
detailed account Of his proceedings,
but he gave the information Grace
needed. He said that the premises
paid premiuNs to the support Of po-
lice insurance fund.
Miss Bartow's next move was to
gain access without warning to those
In the candy store building. For this
she was no more fitted than to learn
the contents. She was obliged to call
again on the man whom she consid-
cred too wild for a husband. Tom
Armstrong promised to help her.
1t was not long after this that one
evening party Of young men rolling
along the street, supposed to have been
drinking, turned into the candy store
and, after making purchases, walked
deliberately into back room and, de-
spite the efforts Of the girl behind the
counter, stumbled upon a staircase.
They found bedrooms, one of which
was locked. Bursting open the door,
there on bed lay a girl, who, fright
ened at their approach, shrank away
from them.
who are you?" asked one Of the
men.
Helen Bowers"
1t was Tom Armstrong who asked
the question, and the moment the re-
ply was given he wrapped a blanket
around the girl, took her in his arms
and, guarded by his companions, car
ried her down the stairs and out to
an auto standing near. It was like
carrying a football guarded by inter
ferers to goal. He had scarcely left the
candy shop before several policemen,
summoned by the girl in the candy
shop, dashed up to the door.
'ThereP' said the girl, pointing to
the auto. which was just turning a
corner.
The police were too late. Having no
conveyance, they lost their prey.
Miss Grace Barlow was sitting in the
living room of her home when there
was sharp ring at the bell. She
opened the door herself, and Tom Arm
strong, followed by his friends, car
ried Helen Bowers into the house and
laid her on sofa, for she was too
weak to stand.
Tom received pressure Of the hand
that made his heart leap. A telephone
message was at once sent to Mrs. Bow
ers that her daughter had been res
cued, and there was joyful meeting.
The police were not charged with
knowing that the missing girl was in
the house above the candy store. They
were receiving money for protecting
the place from prosecution for Illegal
and thought it best to believe
the candy woman's story.
Grace said Tom Armstrong later.
have you got any more work requir
ing one who knows the ropes?"
"Will You reformT
Certainly, as soon as married"
Then think you had better he
married"