The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-10-28

IippiC OF tNtlttuEtIi al TIE II'N'N'
States nor even in New i ork
One more Smith in the sea "t
Smiths made no difference. Their"
was no Grpu,aiion OF smiths wait
ing to receive him. There wcrc
no reporters SCramblinG 10 ntrr'
view him. Lastly. there was no
officer NJ the police detailed 10
meet him.
Had Smith been horn under any
other name he would prohauly
have .-ioptcd IL" name OF Siutth,
1t attracted so little attention.
Fifteen Years j. I l"ug time 70
b. away from ones native ianG
and Smith wandered with interest
through The uan-hullt caropS II
New York city. he was hr"rl'
growth. but he looked aS hloT% IS
any tourist who cones to SCOT aH.t
Is too conservative TO Sho" en-
thuSiasm. Smith. however. VAS
lar from conservative.
To look blank was mercy his
professional way OF appearing be
fore the world.
Smith had commenced his career
In western city Of tho StateS.
Chance had thrown him abroad
and chance had kept him there
climbing higher and higher in his
subtle art-for fifteen years.
In various parts OF Europe and
IN the East he had worked. and so
successfully that, had his identity
been known. the whole police de-
partment would have been inter
ested, and reporters from every
paper would have been Ht the dock
to meet him. But he was just one
more Smith. and he wandered the
streets OF New York with an eX-
pressionless face. enjoying his FIRST
holiday in long, long time.
Some people find that holiday
is an excellent thing To anticipate.
Sometimes. when il arrives. III"
charm is gone. and the love OF
work returns stronger than ever.
So II was with Smith. He thought
that he wanted to play, but the
fascination and excitement or ms
life chung 10 him.
Tho consequence was tNo'
Smith, in tho ceuter Of city block.
turned suddenly from play IL order
To investigate the metropolis from
his professional standpoint. As
we'll as being abrupt his action
was rather whimsical. as If il did
not matter which way fortune
beckoned
He stopped 4 passing policeman
and asked for the address Of de-
tective agency.
The officer gave the address OF
private detective by the nam"
OF Joe Holbrook. and Smith set or
at once TO put his new plans into
execution. Upon nearing his dcS-
tination he spoke 10 another police
man, asking for the office OF Joe
Holbrook. Tho officer looked at
him, half in surprise. and half in
recognition. and then, as II mis-
taken. directed him.
Smith. always a keen observer.
noted the look on the officers face
and tucked il away in his memory
rs he turned in at 4 large office
building and shot skyward 10 the
twelfth floor.
In an outer office OF the agency
Smith found Il young man IL
charge.
II would like 10 see Mr.. Hol-
brook
The young man looked up and
hesitated before speaking. Again
there was an expression partly or
surprise and partl? oil recognition.
What is the nature OF your
business?" the clerk asked finally.
Job" replied Smith SucClntly
and with no expression at all.
The clerk passed through an in
ner door and returned shortly, mo-
tioning Smith 70 enter.
Inside sat short. grizzled man
OF fifty. behind a table Uttered
with papers. He was OF the heavy.
pugnacious typ" that might be eN-
pected TO battle difficulties by
brute force: yet closer scrutiny
showed Il cunning airrtncss that
does not always 90 with such PEG
pie.
He was not Il man who wou!i
show surprise except under the
most unusual circumstances. ana
vet that was exactly what h" dIG
upon Smiths entrance. \ distinct
expression OF surprised emotion
swept over the old detective S
face.
Although the look was quickly
obliterated Smith did not fail Il"
notice il. He was wildly Impressed
with the fact that he was stun
bling upon something which mi"ht
be very interesting. Nevertheless
no showed no surprise himself. and
stood silently waiting to be a6-
dressed.
Your name?" harkcd the own"r
OF tho office.
smith"
Full name
~. Smith"
Just q SMITH"
"Ch-huh." said Smith.
We'll. Mr.. J. \ Smith. began
the detective. regarding his visito"
very keenly. Il -" everybody Wh"
asks for u job. What experience
have you had"
None in N"~ York.
"Humph," rrmtcd tn" older
o.