The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-05-04

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Bile In his hotel room, fumbling nerv-
ously with a glass paper weight. With
the words spoken he let fly at small
framed photograph of himself hang
ing on the opposite wall.
Rage and contempt We're in his
tones. The picture glass shattered
and the frame fell to the floor. He
sprang to his feet, gave the wreck a
kick, and paced up and down the room,
red and furious with emotion.
Then he cooled down, but savagely.
A letter lay on = table. He tore
open its envelopS Enclosed was
check for $50, and a single line:
"You are doing well. Keep it up
The letterhead was that of city
detective agency and Willis was Its
legalized representative, for he wore
a star of authority on his vest lapel
and in his pocket was warrant for
the apprehension of one Sidney Clare.
BY profession, Willis was not de-
tective. He was less than an amateur,
in fact, and had no heart In the busi-
ness to which circumstances had forced
him. A chief clerk In the office Of
firm Of leading lawyers, he had been
pressed into service at the suggestion
of the detective concern which did the
secret-service business Of the firm.
'"There's young WILLIS" the chief of
the agency had remarked. Bright,
young; will enjoy the vacation. Give
him one; We'll post him, and put him
on the Glare case. He's just the fell
low to discover the quarry we're after,
md We'll pay him WELL"
The chief explained to Willis what
there was to do. 1t was a case Of EN-
bezzlement. Sidney Glare, young
clerk, had been suspected and charged
with the crime, but had disappeared.
The amount missing represented sew
eral thousand dollars. 1t was known
that young Clare had been listening
at half-open door while the heads
Of the firm were discussing their dis
coveries and deciding what course
they would take. Later, when they
sought him, he was nowhere about,
and he had evidently left the city.
The detective agency was given the
case. The head had sent men out, but
no trace of the fugitive had been dis
covered. The case was given no pub
LEFTY for the present, as the firm
hoped to recover some Of the missing
money. Then they would prosecute
the culprit.
The detective head had an idea In
mind. The Glare people lived at the
quiet little town of Durham. 1t was
altogether probable that the family
might receive some word from the flu
gitive.
$50 down there In your natural
character of young lawyer on Il va
cation" advised the sleuth. Get in
with the Clares. They won't for mo-
ment suspect a clipper, honest-faced
young fellow like you. There's girl
in the family; you'd ought to take
with the girl"
"The poor fellows slster7-I don't
like It'll" observed Willis.
"There's the element of right and
justice as well, may remind you" OBJ
served the detective tersely. "Come
don't be squeamish. The successful
lawyer Is half detective anyhow, and
the experience will put new edge
TO your Wits
"All right. I'll try it to please the
firm" somewhat reluctantly consent
ed willis, although / don't think
have the detective instinct in any
sense of the word. Bet I'll bunglel"
And now week had gone by al
Durham, and Willis had smashed his
picture. All he said about himself ht
believed. He had acted an unmanly
part. He had been welcomed witt
open arms by the good people of Dur
ham, who saw In his face only truth
and honor. He had met Rachel Glare
He was invited to the house, and now
he recognized an unmlstakable fact
he was In love with her.
Twice during his espionage on tn,
Clare family he had made a discovery
Once the mother, another time Rache
herself, had left the house by a real
exit, bearing a parcel. In each in
stance the bearer took route through
the woods and was gone about -four
hours. To visit the son and brother II
hiding ?-doubtless
Willis wavered between love apt
duty. He was minded to return a
once to the city and throw up his com
mission. He fairly despised himself
Then he realized that such procedure
would hurt him with the firm. Again
it was hard to leave without at leas
once more seeing the girl he hat
learned to love. He retired that night
10 toss restlessly the long hour,
through. He was pale and distraugh
he next morning, as he left his hotel
and irreslstibly his steps led him int
the direction Of the Glare home.
1t was too early in the day to thinl
of presenting himself as caller. bu
he could not tear himself away iron
the vicinity. He strolled to the out
skirts of the wood. he penetrated tn
timber, losing himself In thought. Hi
wanderings were vain to disslpate tn
tugging wretchedness at his hear
Resting at length In the shadow of
great oak tree. he was reused frOr