Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-03-09
Wheels Hidden m Wheels
Copyright by the Frank A. Munsey Co.
BY FREDERICK L. kEATES.

him watched. Ill get a detective 1T once.
nave let the thing go too far already"
In spite OF all precautions. however. and
Notwithstanding the many watchers. the
I.hefts continued. The EMPLOYEES were now
searched each time they lei; the store. The
hired detective was positive that ne cui-
ptit was one of the assistant. md while
il was mol Impossible for ore al ihem 10
l%rn.Icln an article and slip IL III" III, I+,rke'
m~r..i, il seemed absolutely ~l1.nn.l bcnef
THAT the booty could be carried off under
the very nose of everybody.
One day an odd idea occurred 10 Beck
with. A. luck would have il, that same
day his opportunity 10 test IL arrived. AT
| about five-thirty he went u~nstairs to the
Mushroom TO wash himself preparatory to
going home. There he found Calvin. who,
having hung his waistcoat on a hook, was
about to wash his hands.
In an instant, Beckwith made mp his
mind. Fastening downstairs, he went mp
to Brown.
"Say, Brown he whispered hurriedly,
"help me a minute. Ill explain aiterward.
I'm going up 10 the Mushroom. When ]
have reached the top of the stairs want
Won to call up 10 Calvin. When he comes
10 the head of the stairs, ask HIM whether
he took that package to Mrs. McCarthys
this afternoon; we know he did. Of course;
hold him there a couple of minutes; ask
him 10 whom he gave IL, and what they
said. This is important; will You do itf'
c.. - D~u utnnIar.nniy
.What's the matter! If YOU look like
that, you'll nave the detective come over
and sit on you"
Beckwith hurried upstairs without reply
ing, and Browns voice promptly called out f:
"Hello there, CALVIN
Calvin was drying his face as Beckwith
reached his side.
"Hellor' answered Calvin, crossing the
room and standing just out of Beckwith's
sight, at the head of the stairs.
In an instant Beckwith had Galvin's
huge, great grandfather's watch ont of the
pocket Of the suspended waistcoat. The
first thing he noticed was that one OF the
hands had fallen off.
"The thing isn't going" he said 10 him
self. He placed in to his ear.
"Ah. har'
He said no more. but hastily unfastened
the silver chain and pu. the watch into his
own pocket.
Calvin was still at the head Of the stairs.
"Sure ! did. Dyer think swiped the
packageg" he demanded Indignantly.
l"What dyer take me for, anyway"
~AIl right, Calvin said Brown. my
mistake. that's all"
al amt no thief growled CALVIN, enter
ing the room. THAT Brown gives me a
pain in the neck"
Without STAYING 10 turn of the running
water, Beckwith hurried down the stairs.
A he entered the store, Mr.. Wallenstein,
who was counting some gold watches in a.
tray prior To placing them in the big safe
for the night, uttered "A tremendous oath.
Everyone in the store turned to him In
startled amazement. and the detective hur-
RED over TO his side.
There's a sixty dollar gold Elgin mss
ing here!' cried Mr.. Wallensiein.
A couple of customers, not liking the
look of things. made Il move to 90.
Lock the door," ordered the detective.
Everybody stay where they are"
Beckwith. with conflicting emotions of
doubt and assurance warning within him,
went up Ia his employer and whispered TO
him.
Eagerly Mr.. Wallensteln held out his
hand, and Beckwith handed Galvin's huge
watch 10 him.
Without a word, the ieweler quickly
opened the back Of the watch. and then the
inner cover. All eyes were fixed on him,
and heads were craned forward as he re
vealed the interior Of the nncouih time
piece.
An exclamation of wonder broke from
the group Of watchers, for there. in place
OF wheels and springs, was Snuely enscon-
ed the missing gold Elgin. II fitted INTO the
largest watch with some room 10 spare,
and a little cotton wool had been hastily
stuffed in n packing.
Al once al was commoiion.
ARREST the sconndrel, y cried Mr.. Wal
llenstein, crimson with anger. ARREST
him.
III TIE Md-HIoom VII III N'''HN i'o'''
said Beckwith, nodding 10 the detective.
The man sprang up the stairs. followed
by Meckwith. Eenter the washroom, they
were surprised to find il empty. Even
Galvin's waistcQat had gone; tor. dlscov-
ering the loss of his watch, the guilty one
had been quick To grasp the situation, and
had fled. The open window showed the
way of his escape.
Standing on a chair, the defective lean
la . A. 49, ...,I..r nnI uataI tla zfrnnr