The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-05-09
SECRET SERVICE
BY BOYD RIDGELY MARSH.

Neither do l." supplemented Abel
Grimm.
"He seems a generOus-hearted, dc
cent young fellow; appears to maxi
/ friends readily, but he flashes in upoI
us without credentials or introductior
| and outside of the fact that he claim
| 70 be looking out for coal possibilitie,
M I'm the hills, we know nothing abou,
him"
Nothing whatever" chimed IL
| Abel. "But I'm going to-"
Vance Radcliffe had been a CUES
of the local hotel for over two weeks
lie lived well. got acquainted witt
members of the leading social set an
was attracted to Dolly Merton from
the first hour he me her..
The only p~retense Radcliffe made t.
having business at Clyde vas stroll
down the river where the big mill
we're located and tramps among thu
hills looking for coal groupings tina
did not exist.
"Tll cultivate this fine young fel-
low - resolved Abel, after his con
versation with Dolly's brother. III
worm myself into his. confidence n
find out what he really is here for.
But his efforts in that direction were
not worth the pains. Radcliffe, In hi
bluff, direct way, laughed at Abe
when he one day put the question:
Il say, Radcliffe. people wonder
what business you have down here"
SOP smiled Radcliffe. well. you
know I'm interested in m~ineralogy."
"Oh, that's bunk - retOrted Abel In
his rude way. Everybody knows
those old hills haven't an ounce OF
iron or coal, or anything else but lime
stone and slate"
well. all the same l am under sal
airy and orders from a relative" de
clared Radcliffe.
Abel was irritated at his failure &c
entrap or compromise his rival. One
day he decided to shadow him on one
Of his regular strolls down the river.
lie played the accomplished detective
complete. He kept at a safe distance
behind Radcliffe. He wore a false
beard, a SLOUGH hat, Il long enyeloping
r~aincoat, carried a cane. limped, and
to the view of a person a hundred
yards away, suggested the role he had
a~dopted-that of an old man. When
Radcliffe reached the settlement where
The workers at the mills had theii
homes, Abel did not dare to follow
him into the houses and restaurants
he visited. He finally lost track of
Radcliffe completely and, disappointed
and baffled, started back for Clyde.
Abel sat down, two miles of his re
turn journey covered, to rest. smoke
and think over matters. He was en-
gagged thus when a shout aroused him,
and tracing its source to a spot where
a bluff rose up boldly. he discovered
the object of his distrust and interest.
Radcliffe was beating back an assault
on the part of three rough looking
fellows.
Abel sprang to his feet and yelled
Justify at the group. He always went
armed in true detective style and car
ried a revolver. This he drew and
began to fire. The three men ran
away, but not until one Of them had
dealt Radcliffe a terrific blow with a
cudgel that sent him Keeling over the
edge Of the bluff. He rolled to the
road below and lay there impassive.
Abel hurried to the spot, and observed
a packet of papers that had fallen
from an inside pocket of the insensible
man.
They look suspicious" muttered
Abel, and they did. and this self-con-
stituted emissary OF the secret serv-
ice looked over them with amazement
and then the most vivid satisfaction
and triumph showed in his face.
1--WE got the goods on him, sure as
fate Hey"
Thus Abel hailed the driver of a
wagon coming down the road. The
latter drove hurriedly to the spot
where Abel waited.
whats the troublef" he inquired.
Man hurt. don't you see? l want
to get him to Clyde"
"All right, I'm going that way"
Radcliffe had not reused by the time
they reached Clyde. Abel went at
once to the office of the town marshal.
whittier his captive was carried and
placed upon a bench, Then Abel ex-
hibited the papers he had discovered.
Let US search further" suggested
Abel eagerly.
Hello" suddenly exclaimed the
marshal, for as Abel pushed back the
coat of the prisoner a badge showed.
why, Grimm" declared the mar
snail, you've put your foot in 1t! This
man is an officer of the secret serv-
ice"
II say What am | doing here?r
cried Radcliffe, rousing up at that mo-
ment. "Oh, | see y he added, with a
quizzical smile as he noted the docu,
ments on the table. II had some trou.
BILE getting those and a fight to retain
them"
"IOu said Won was Norkinn for n