Phoenix tribune., 1919-05-24

etS pAOStEulS 1OElu on the tables, AS
Barnes entered the room, he looked up
and declared that the man was dead.
"This is Mr.. Barnes" said Putnam
Jones, indicating the tall traveller with
a short jerk of his thumb.
II am from the sheriff's office" said
the man who stood beside the doctor.
The rest of the crowd evidently had
been ordered to stand back from the
tables. did you ever see this man be-
foreT
"Not until he was carried in here
an hour ago."
whats your business up here, Mr..
Barnes?"
Il have no business up here. 4 just
happened to stroll in this evening""
"Well," said the sheriff darkly, .I
guess I'll have to ask you to stick
around here till we clear this business
up. We don't know you an Well,
we can't take any chances. You un-
1erstand, i reckon"
Il certainly fail to understand, Mr..
Sheriff. l know nothing whatever of
this affair and 1 intend to continue
IN my way tomorrow morning."
swell, guess not. You got to stay
here till we are satisfied that you
don't know anything about this busi-
ness. That's ALL"
"Am I to consider myself under ar
rest, sir?"
Il wouldn't go so far as to say that.
You just stick around here, that's all
Z got to say. If you're all right, we'll
soon find 1T out. What's more, if you
are all right you'll be willin' to stay.
Do you get me?"
Il certainly do. And 1 can now as
sure YOU Mr.. Sheriff, that I'd like
nothing better than to stick around
here, as you put it. I'd like to help
clear this matter up. In the mean
time, you may readily find out who /
am and why I am here by telegraph
ing to the mayor of New York city.
This document, which experience has
taught me to carry for just such an
emergency as this, may have some
weight with you" He opened his bill
folder and drew forth a neatly creased
sheet of paper. "Read it, please, and
note the date, the signature, the Off
cial seal Of the New York police de-
partment, and also the rather interest
ing silver print pasted in the lower
left hand corner. I think you will
agree that it is good likeness Of me.
Each year I take the precaution of
having myself certified by the police
department at home before venturing
into unknown and perhaps unfriendly
communities"
"Yes," said the sheriff obviously;
but how do know 1t amt forgery?"
You don't know, of course. But in
case it shouldn't be forgery and I
am subjected to the indignity of ar
rest or even detention, you would have
a nasty time defending yourself in a
civil suit for damages. 1 shall remain
here, as you suggest, but only for the
purpose of aiding you in getting to
the bottom Of this affair.""
Standing on Jim Conley's front
porch little after sunrise, Barnes
made the following declaration:
Everything goes to show that these
men were up here for one Of two rea-
sons. They were either trying to pre-
vent or to enact a crime. The latter is
my belief. They were afraid of me.
Why? Because they believed I was
trailing them and likely to spoil their
game. Gentlemen, those fellows were
here for the purpose of robbing the
place you call Green Fancy"
whats that?' came a rich, mellow
voice from the outskirts of the crowd.
A man pushed his way through and
confronted Barnes. He was a tall,
good-looking fellow Of thirty-five, and
it was apparent that he had dressed in
haste. "My name is O'Dowd, and / am
guest of Mr.. Curtis at Green Fancy.
Why do you think they meant to rob
his placer"
"Well," began Barnes dryly, 'ft
would seem that his place is the only
one in the neighborhood that would
bear robbing. My name is Barnes. OF
course, MIR. O'Dowd, 1t Is mere specu-
lation on my part"
"But who shot the mani" demanded
the Irishman. HE certainly wasn't
winged by anyone from our place.
Why, Lord love you, sir, there isn't a
soul at Green Fancy who could shoot
a thief If he saw one. This is Mr.. De
Soto, also guest at Green Fancy. He
will, I think, bear me out in upsetting
your theory"
A second man approached. shaking
his head vigorously. He was a thin,
pale man with singularly scholastic
face. Quite an unprepossessing, un-
Eanguinary person, thought Barnes.
"Mr. Curtis chauffeur. I think it
was, said the killing occurred just
above this house." said he, visibly ex-
cited. Screen Fancy is at least mile
from here, isn't it? You don't shoot
burglars mile from the place they
are planning to rob. do your"
"Ill admit it's a bit out of reason.p