Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-01-17


vostigating, and the body was taken
away, Holme and the sergeant follow
ing me to my room, where we gain
began the fruitless quest of conjec-
ture and theory; but with Marcus II
was not loquacious task.
He sat back grim and glum, listen.
Ing and drinking Scotch, but he had
no white-slaver or other theories to
advance. There was something on his
mind, and had am idea l knew what
1t was.
l gave him the opportunity to get 1t
off his chest.
well, boys" / remarked, yawning,
its up to you. In another day I'll be
on the bounding main, far from strife
and care"
Think you ought to 60 with this
on?" queried Marcus.
why not? What's 1t all to me?" I
countered.
"There1l be inquests and investigs.
tions. Besides, your paper needs you"
Forget that last" said dryly.
i've no paper. Now, what have for
an inquest or examination that either
you or Holme can't give?"
Marcus hesitated. Each one OF these
people you have found" he said final
ly; but 1t wasn't all he was thinking.
Correct; found 'em and left 'em
just as they were," l answered
promptly. "And you on the spot
few minutes afterward to see just
how they were found. Holme here
with me in this last case, too. Bosh,
Marcus! You wouldn't stall sea
voyage for that"
Pm afraid we'll have to ask you to
postpone it." he said finally.
ASK and be damned!" cried an
grily. Il won't postpone it-not for
minute"
Then We'll have to detain you. Gill
more" declared the sergeant, rising.
ARREST me, you mean?"
Il didn't say that. Detain's the
word"
"It'll be good deal more than a
word that II hold me back" said sar-
castically. ut III have to be chains
and bars, and a mighty good legal
reason on top of them. Sit down.
Marcus, and let's find out just where
we are"
The police sergeant had his hat and
determination.
''I'm going back to report, Gilmore"
he said, land am telling you now
that you are not to leave the city
without my permission"
"Sit down, you IDIOT" I cried, Civ
ing him shove that landed him in
his chair. "Sit there and talk sense
If you can! Pm no drooling babe to
be told what can or can't do by an
insensate ass! You give reasons and
I'll listen to them"
you've given the reasons yourself.
Gilmore" said Marcus, bit less per.
emptory. you've reasoned it out SO
we'll believe you. Three people have
been shot to death on this floor, and
in each instance you are the only per-
son awake, with keys to their rooms
and a gun that fits their bullets. 1t
isn't evidence enough to hang you, but
think it II hold you in town"
1T might" / acknowledged readily.
ut won't though, Marcus. for you're
not convinced yourself. 1t isn't as
though 1 was any Tom, Dick or Har-
ry; for the Sentinel will~ask awkward
questions as to evidence, even If I'm
not on their staff. No, Marcus, you're
going to let me start for Ecuador"
continued impressively. You're 60
ing to escort me to the dock and see
me sail. For why? Because I won't
remain unless you Jail me, and you
dare not Jail me-"
The sergeant was not easy in mind,
for Holme had nodded acquiescence
to my statements, so l hurried into
the gist of my argument.
you'll let me sail for another rea-
aboard the Wilton than I'd be detain-
ed or even in Jail. You have me pris-
oned where / can't saw bars or get
out writs Of habeas corpus. II you
find you want me, you can wireless
Captain Blake, and I'm stuck in the
brig with bracelets on; or you take
me off at San Pedro or San Diego
when we put into those ports. When
you get your brains to working
smoothly you'll see that you want me
on the Wilton, not in jail"
Perhaps you're right" said Mar
Gus, and my heart gave a bound. "Pl
talk it over with the chief"
$50 will /, Marcus, SO be careful in
your statements. Edwards and Holme
and myself will call on the chief later
this morning, and Wen bring anti-de-
tention arguments with us. be sure of
that. And have another Scotch, Mar
Gus. to show your hearts right. even
IL you are a detective"
He grinned, not cheerfuIly, but he
drank my Scotch.