The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-01-19
CHAPTER
=
In Which an Old Crime Again Comes
to Light.

In Which an Old Crime Again Comes
to Light
That Friday afternoon, as came
up the steps of John Bartley's house
In Gramercy square, the sun was
shining for the first time in seven
days Unlocking the door, entered
the hall and went up the stairs to
my room.
This week of rain in the middle
Of June had spoiled Bartley's long
planned fishing trip, and had kept us
in the city. 1t was a trip he had been
looking forward to for long time,
since in the past few years there had
been few opportunities for such
things. In fact, since 1917 BARLEY
: had passed very few nights in his
pwn house. About year before we
lent into the war, those who followed
fmfnai mysteries noticed that Bart
US name was no longer connected
fifth the solution of crime. Perhaps
>ey wondered little at this. When
e full story of the work of the Sc
let Service in the war Is told, recog-
on will be given to the part he
yed in bringing it to victorious
hclusion. Until then, all can say
that when he returned Ito New York,
"a the spring Of 1920, his work for
the government had ended.
The first thing that he did upon his
arrival was to clear up pile of mail
that ran back for several weeks; his
next was to plan several weeks fish
ing in the lakes of northern Maine.
On the very day that we we're to start
1t had commenced to rain, and never
ceased for seven days. kilograms
told uss that in Maine it was raining,
In sheer disgust BARLEY buried
self in his library and went to
K on his long-negleeted book, 1.-THE
ante Literature of the Eighteenth
tury."
/ glanced out of the window of
AOm that Friday afternoon, saw
he rain was a. last over was
ering whether BARLEY would go
aine. after all, when there came
at my door. Opening it, | found
Ee, Bartley's old colored man, who
with grin. "Mr. John says, Mr..
1t, that you are to come down to
the library. for that man Rogers is
coming"
AS followed him down the stairs,
wondered what it was that was
Ringing Rogers, chief of the Central
Ne, to the house at this time of the
noon. Although Rogers and Bart
we're the best of friends, and the
had been forced more than once
lsk the aid ofSBartley in his cases,
usually made his visits in the eve
after the days work was over.
at four in the afternoon
ITO promise that something I'M
ID happened, something of
ortance that it could not
I'D he secure Bartley's aid?
at BARLEY had not intended
b any more cases until he
long rest. Still, If Rogers
re problem of some unusual
me to lay before us. he might
lange his plans.
A BARLEY was at his great desk when
/ entered the library. He gave me
smile, then went on examining the
books which covered its top. That
morning he had received great box
from his French dealer, and he was
busy with its contents. AS he did
not speak, drorped into the great
armchair by his side.
As ! looked at him / wondered, as
done so many times before, that
ould be the great criminal in
ator that he was. 1t was the
thing anyone would expect him
be. His breeding. his family. and
I've all his literary tastes. were not
ch as one would Expect to find in
Rn who makes the running down o.
pals his life work. His fine =