The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-09-20

BY WARREN l. rREsHAM.


Copyright. 1918. BY Western Newspaper Union.l
"Dolph," his familiars called him
his full name was AdOlphus Barclay,
and "the sleuthr he was dubbed By
certain derisive residents of Brookdale
He had won the appellation fairly, for
inquisitiveness and habit of follow
Ing up that characteristic with pryins
ways had become part Of his nature.
Dolph had finally engendered a dis.
tinct detective ambition, but the local
scope was limited and he was com.
PEELED to accept what offered, which
was half-salaried position as con-
stable on the staff Of the sheriff
Here Dolph shone, or fancied he did.
At all events he worked up deep
mystery about once month. 1t usual
~ ended in smoke. but the amateur
man catcher was diligent. He invest
ed ordinary civil cases with tinge of
uniqueness and Importance, discerned
purposes OF arson in common bon
fire and the occasional thefts of
tramps as the operations Of leagued
clique of bandits, bent upon devast-
ing the district.
Dolph confessed to a sneaking fond
ness for Margaret Dunn, who thor
oughly despised him and his meth
DDS. They merely spoke and Dolph
never ventured to 60 further than
that He had high hopes, however, Of
some day coming across a mystery, q
tragedy, where his professional acu-
men would arouse the interest and ad-
miration of the pretty daughter of old
farmer Dunn.
That's stranger muttered Dolph
one afternoon, as, near to the Dunn
home, he observed young man enter
the yard of the little farm and lift
his cap to Margaret. A conversation
ensued. Dolph dared not venture near
enough to overhear 1t. He could only
trace that Margaret was fairly cor
dial to the stranger She went around
to the barn, reappearing with old Dob
bin hitched to light wagon.
The young man carried one arm In
sling. They drove down the road
.or about mile. Then the young man
s]ighted. He went in among some
bushes, reappeared with suitcase,
placed it in the wagon and the trip
back home was made.
The young man was evidently in
yited by Margaret to tea. Dolpb,
sneaking closer to the house, observed
dining room. Dolph edged his way
around to the front porch. The mys-
tsrlous suitcase had been left there by
the stranger. Dolph observed that it
was only strapped. His inqulsitive
temperament urged him to get a
glimpse of It's contents. He niftily re-
leased the straps, opened the satchel
and
"A spy-worse ~ he breathed, his
eyes sparkling, his face eager, inspir-
tied. at last famous catchw Then
he restored the suitcase to its orig
inal condition and made of down the
road in feverish haste.
The stranger of military bearing,
arm in sling, as though some returned
war hero. had politely addressed Mar
garet. He told her that he was due
in the village at seven O'Clock, that he
had made mistake in leaving the
trolley and had been unable to carry
the suitcase more than a mile ON ac-
count of his injured arm. He told
enough of how Its transient useless
ness came about to not only interest.
but to enthuse Margaret, who at once
offered to recover the abandoned OBJ
ject, give him his supper as well, and
then drive him to the village, for was
not she to meet her father there and
accompany him to the war meeting in
behalf of the Red Cross at the town
hall?
Meantime Dolph Barclay raced down
the turnpike, never letting up on his
speed until he had reached the office
of the sheriff. 1--WE made a marvel
GUS discovery" proclaimed Dolph, and
told his story graphically to the point
where he had opened the suitcase.
"Weel, weel, go on" urged the sher-
III impatiently. what did you find
in it?''
"The outfit of regular spy, a dy-
namiter!' declared Dolph in ponder
GUS tones. II found in that suitcase"
Eyes, yes go ont"
IAN enemy flag, an enemy helmet
and an explosive shell. Say 1t would
turn you pale TO see It's deadly size.
Oh, I've made a catch this time, be-
lieve me!'
Come on" said the sheriff, "we'r
find this mysterious stranger and ex-
plore the contents of that suitcase"
There they are !" announced Dolph,
as half mile down the turnpike he
saw the wagon approaching, and on
the front seat, chatting and laughing,
Margaret and her stranger guest
Halt 7" ordered Dolph. springing
into the road. SHERIFF, | denounce
this man as a spy and the proof of it
will be found In that carpet bagl"
Margaret uttered slight laugh.
Her companion broadly grinned. This
somehow dlscomposed the sheriff.
May l ask" he inquired, what you
have in that suitcase?"
Surely" answered the stranger with