Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-09


I would have detained her. for she
was in a measure one Of the cen
trail figures in the case in hand How
ever, | reasoned that my duty was
with the man who had fallen into my
power so accommodatingly. My pris-
oner had an evil eye, and in clear
test OF physical strength he was far
my superior. His fall had clearly
crippled his normal activity, and the
| leveled weapon did the rest.
1t was nearly half an hour before
Marvel reappeared. One hand was in
side coat pocket. In front of him,
| two PAGES ahead, was the man who
! had slid the roof. AS soon as my cap
! tive could get onto his feet and steady
himself there was a group of four.
/ Marvel made his prisoner pilot the
way. A street corner was reached.
/ police officer summoned and we were
soon at Central station.
Marvel showed no self-glorification,
but was very particular as to the dis
position of the prisoners. After they
had been searched and were removed
to separate cells below stairs, almost
Immediately the turnkey came to the
door of the stairway and beckoned to
my friend, who joined him after
word to me to await his return.
At, the end of an hour Marvel re-
turned. The cloud Of thought was not
yet dispelled from his face. He had
a card in his hand, and he came over
and sat down beside me with the air
of a person a good deal tired and
somewhat disturbed.
1T results in this" he said, and re-
versed the card SO could view what
he had penciled upon It:
"E. N-16791"
looked over the initials and num-
Der vaguely. What does it mean?"
asked.
You tell me-" replied Marvel, and
then his chin sank into his hand
in his old thoughtful way, and l did
not disturb him, for l knew he was
wrestling with some intricate prob
lem.
The two fellows we have Gagged"
he volunteered finally, ARE kings in
their crooked profession. Tne one |
chased down had carried the booty"
When he reached that woman's
house?"
Yes. We found the notation strip
of the stolen package in his pocket.
He led me a stern chase-over tracks.
under cars, through them, over their
tops, and finally threw up his hands
when he knew | would shoot. When
ran him down he had planted the
package, for it was not upon him.
"Where?"
Somewhere while momentarily out
of my sight among that interminable
network of tracks. When they put
him below l had him locked next to
the inspection CELL"
What is that?"
IAN adjoining compartment whence
prisoner can be closely observed
with no knowledge of the fact. The
first thing my man did was to laugh
it was cunning triumph. or nothing
Then | noticed his lips move constant
ly as though he was memorizing some
thing. He searched his pockets as II
for a pencil stub, found none, and then
taking the pin in his tie. scratched
something on one of the bricks Of tine
whitewashed wall l at once had hin
removed to another cell. l visited hi.
first place of abode. He had scratched
on the brick what you see there-'E
N.-16791.'
"A few minutes later | had hin
| moved back to the old cell and inspect
! ed cell No. 2. After some trouble
found what | was looking for. Agar
e. N.-16791,' scratched on the wall
Something to be remembered, DOM
you see?"
! saw partly, and Marvel did MOI
just then enlighten me any further
According to the way he had figured i
out. the money package had beer
planted between the time his man haC
; slid the kitchen shed roof and his fina
7 capture. AS the chase had lasted 3
, full half hour and had covered nearlj
a mile of territory, glimpsed a diff
cult task before my friend.
J We went back to Markham street t.
; find the house locked up and deserted
: Marvel walked through the rear. yarc
2 and was going over his own tracks. n,
: proceeded leisurely. and had ampl,
! time to reason or test the play of m!
Imagination. I am not inventive. ant
no suggestions came to my mind.
, 1t must have been an hour late
| when we came to a little telegraph
shanty in the center of the grea
, switch yards. The man in charge sa
4 at his TABLE his feet crossed upon II
! Marvel entered unceremoniously.
Il want to ask you a few questions
my man." he announced, "if you hav
. the time, but just then there came
3 call on the ticker.
"Fifty-seven out" spoke the opera
J tor rapidly. I've got some details t,
take. Will you sit down and wait TO
! me ten minutes?"
I Marvel bowed assentingly. We tool
3 chairs. Marvel sat thinking deeply.
I noted that his eyes were fixed on tn
open window. his senses mechanical
taking in the busy drone of the ticker
' for he was expert in that direction
l although very little interested him a
3 present outside of the unsolved prof
/, lem of the M ssing bank money
] Suddenly my friend started so sud
3 denly that | stared strangely at him