Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-10-04

as the police"
Miss Barlow suspected the police of
collision with the candy woman.
What object they had I'm screening her
she did not know. She had heard that
the police OF the city We're VIGOROUSLY
corrupt, and it was known To most
persons that they were bribed for per
ps,tips hosMses 70 e 9ssSs for gambling
and other Illegal PURPOSES, ~ .fss''
She reconnoitered the candy shop.
Ii was small place with very poor
stock. She asked frowsy girl behind
the counter for certain kind of can
dy OF which the proprietor made
speciality and was handed something
of which she bought IA small quantity.
Meanwhile her eyes were open. She
noticed that the shop was on the
ground floor aud there were three
stories above. There was no way 10
reach the upper stories except through
the candy store
Miss Bartow's mind was concentrate
ed on what those upper stories were
occupied for How could she find out
If she called on the police for informa-
ton. In case the missing girl We're
there ana the police were protecting
the candy woman the girl would be re-
moved, after which quite likely the
house would he openly Investigated
Miss Barlow faced 4 problem. Be
fore going further IN her detective
work she must learn what was In
those Upper stories Tpe matter seem
ed simple enough. Indeed it was too
simple TO be used in detective story.
But ii sfumpel Miss Barlow: She was
obliged tQ gall In man TO assist her.
Tom Armstrong was an intimate
friend Of Miss Barlow Indeed, he
would have liked 70 le more than q
friend and fnIghi have been had he not
been Considered 70? much of man
about town Srace knew very we'll
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 10 gamble He
world likely know or be able 10 find
out whether II certain house was used
for gambling or indeed. Cor any Illegal
purpose
Grace wrote Tom an invitation 10
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 ont 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 tie reported he gave no
detailed account Of his proceedings,
but he gave the information Grace
needed He said that the premises
paid premiums 10 the support of a po-
lice insurance funG
Miss Bartows next move was ~
gain access without warning 10 thuse
in the candy store building For this
she was no more fitted than 10 learn
the contents. she was obliged 20 call
again on tlie man whom she consid-
cred tos wild for a husband. Tom
Armstrong promised 10 help her.
IL was not long after this that one
evening IA party Of young men rolling
along the street. supposed so have been
drinking. turned into the candy store
and. after making purchases. walked
deliberately into back room and. de
spite the efforts uf the girl behind the
counter. stumbled upon staircase.
They found bedrooms. one of which
was locked. Bursting open the door.
there on n bed lay 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
he question: and the moment the re-
ply was given he wrapped blanket
around the girl, took her in his arms
and. guarded by his companions. car
ried her down the stairs and out 70
an auto standing near. II was like
carrying a football guarded by inter
fcrers 10 goal. He had scarcely left the
candy shop before several policemen,
summoned by the girl In the candy
shop. dashed UP to the door.
There" 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, folio wed by his friends. car
ried Helen Bowers into the house and
laid her on sofa. for She was too
weak 10 stand
Tom received pressure OF the hand
that made his heart leap \ telephone
message was at once sent 20 Mrs. Bow
ers that her daughter had been res
+ cued, and there was IA 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
purposes and thought IL best 10 believe
the candy woman's story
Grace" said Tom Armstrong later.
have you got any more work requir-
ing one who knows the ropes 2"
"Will YOU REFORM
certainly. as soon as married"
''Thcn ] think you had better be
married"
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