The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-02-06
A VILLAGE SLEUTH
D. WARREN 1. TREsHAM.


1
(Copyrsht. 1915. By western Newspaper Unioa.)
| "Dolph," bis familiars called him.
his full name was Adolphus Barclay.
and 'the sleuth'' he was dubbed by
certain derisive residents Of BroOkdalA.
He had won the appellation fairly, for
inquisitiveness and habit OF follow
ing up that characteristic with pryinx
ways had become a part Of his nature.
Dolph had finally engendered dis
tinct detective ambition, but the local
scope was limited and he was COM
PEELED to accept what offered, which
was half-saIaried position as a con-
stable on the STAFF Of the sheriff.
| Here Doiph shone, or fancied he did.
At all events he worked up a deep
mystery about once month. It usual
ly ended in smoke, but the amateur
man catcher was dfligent. He invest
ed ordinary civil cases with tinge Of
uniqueness and Importance, discerned
purposes of arson In a common bon
fire and the occasional thefts Of
tramps as the operations of leagued
clique Of bandits, bent upon devast-
Ing the district.
Dolpb confessed to q sneaking fond
ness for Margaret Dunn, who thor
oughly despised him and his meth
ods They merely spoke and Dolph
never ventured to 60 further than
that. He had high hopes, however, Of
some day coming across mystery,
tragedy, where his professional acu-
men would arouse the interest and ad-
miration Of the pretty daughter OF old
farmer Dunn.
That's strange!" muttered Dolph
one afternoon, as, near to the Dunn
home, he observed a young man enter
the yard Of the little farm and lift
bis 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
a sling. They drove down the road
for about mile. Then the young man
alighted. He went In among some
bushes, reappeared with a suitcase,
placed 1t In the wagon and the trip
back home was made.
The young man was evidently In
vited by Margaret to tea. Dolph,
sneaking closer to the house, observed
them both seated at the table In the
lining room. Dolph edged his way
around to the front porch The mys-
.erious suitcase had been left there BY
he stranger. Dolph observed that 1t
was only strapped His yinquisitivs
urged him to get a
glimpse of its contents He niftily re-
eased the straps. opened the satchel
md
"A spy--worse he breathed. his
yes sparkling, his face eager, inspir-
ted. AT last famous catchl" Then
Ie restored the suitcase to Its orig
nal condition and made on down the
DAD In feverish haste
The stranger of military bearing,
rm in sling, as though some returned
,ar hero. had politely addressed Mar
aret. He told her that he was due
! the village at seven O'Clock, that he
ad made mistake in leaving the
-olley and had been unable to carry
he suitcase more than mile on &C
cunt of his injured arm He told
nough of how Its transient useless
ess came about TO not only interest,
Ut to enthuse Margaret. who at once
ho al o nd Oh
ct. give him his supper as well, and
len drive him to the village. for was
OF she 10 meet her father there and
company him to the war meeting 10
ehalf Of the Red Cross ut the town
all7
Meantime Dolph Barclay raced down
le turnpike, never letting up on his
iced until he had reached the once
!, the sheriff. I've made a marvel
Is discovery" proclaimed -Dolph, and
,lc his story graphically to the point
here he had opened the suitcase.
"Weel, weel, 60 on. urged the sher-
{ fmpatiently. What did you find
ft?''
"The outfit Of regular spy. dy-
amiterr ~ declared Dolph in ponder
Is tones. II found In that suitcase"
Yes. yes; go onT'
IAN enemy flag, an enemy helmet
I'd an explosive shell. Say! It would
i'm you pale to see its deadly sise-
b. I've made catch this time, be-
ave me y
Come on said the sheriff. we'll
I'd this mysterious stranger and ex-
ore the contents OF that suitcase"
There they are ]" announced D0iph,
half mile down the turnpike 10
W the wagon approaching. and on
e front seat, chatting and laughing,
argaret and her stranger guest
"Halt," ordered Dolph. sprine1ng
to the road. sheriff, ! denounce
is man as a spy and the proof q Il
III be found in that carpet bag!'
Margaret uttered slight laugh
er companion broadly Erinned This
mellow discomposed the sheriff.
May l ask" he inquired. what 80
i've in that suitcasef'
"Surely," answered the stranger wRA
emptiness, ian enemy nag. he2Mee
oh n our foes wear, and = samDeo
the explosive shells We use = -
ont. l have just Come frum tAasA
a en e.~fstine vuur 1octufer u II