Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-20
Stead Plays Samaritan

1t was already dusk when N,
cashier walked out of the raS,i.
gates and turned in the direction os
| the mining village in the yarsr
But it was not so dark that, had !,
| looked in that direction. he WOMB
have failed to see man emerps
! from the churchyard opposite. and
after n momentary hesitation as N
| whether TO so up or down. proceed
toward the lights below, walking tor
some little distance parallel WITH
Stead himself. but gradually, be.
cause of his slouching gait, drop.
ping behind and into the rear.
If Stead had looked at this man |.
| that uncertain light. he would have
been unable to identify him as
Manuersley Main man. But Tint
would not have occasioncd him any
surprise. for the Coliery was grow
ing and new faces were appearing IN
| the streets by scores and dozens
He would have set the man down A.
one who wanted or had perhaps
found work ut carpentering. or
plumbing or painting or some sim.
liar job. and had come out for an
evening stroll in his seCond-best suit
and with his pipe. having as vet
found neither mate nor sweetheart
to keep him company.
In no case would he have recog
nized him az Mr.. Perrett. who. as one
OF Inspector Cortelyou's faithful and
trusted lieutenants. was keeping.
under various DISCUSSES and In hh
own inimitable fashion. very
pertinacious and sharp watch upon
Mr.. Stead's movements.
Perrett slowly followed the cashier
down the narrow lane which led
| from the old village TO the nev
Now and then they passed groups q
| miners. 1t was too dark for The
miners to recognize the powerful
| Colliery official. Rut when they
came to the lighted streets Of the
rev village, and Stead began 10 nod
| TO people here and there. Ferret
| crossed over to the other side. so as
to obtain better view OF anything
that might happen.
lie was not afraid of losing sight
of his quarry--he had followed i man
for whole day in the crowded
London streets. and never allowed
him to get out of touch with him.
self, and it seemed child's play 10
him to keep an eye on the cashier,
who. so far. seemed to have done
nothing out of the Ordinary
nothing. indeed, except to go to the
counting house at the collicry. AMI
to the bank. and to his own house
for meals and rest. and 80 on, and
now, tonight, to the castle. II was
humdrum; but. Perrett reflected. al
any moment something might hap.
pen.
This particular evening more Incl
dents seemed to be crowded into The
cashiers prosaic promenade OF ue
principal street; but they were, In
Perrett's mind. OF a distinctly do
nestle nature. stead turned in at A
shop, and Perrett bchcld him 80
through the exciting process Of
choosing and buying couple OF
chickens. which he carried away
with him in n basket, evidently re-
fusing pressing and polite invita-
ton on the part of the shopmon 70
send the chickens to his house.
Thence he repaired to green
grocer's and bought some grapes
Perrctt saw the green grocer select
n very fine bunch. Next the cashier
visited a grocery establishment
what he bought there Perrett did
not know, but the basket was nov
full.
Thence he followed him 10 a wine
and spirit merchants. Stead came
out of that with bottle protruding
from the side pocket Of his summer
overcoat, and thereafter wen
straight along the street. rs II he
were going home.
Perretts private impression was
that the cashier was going TO iate
supper party. or enjoy himself al
dinner tomorrow. and he began 10
think about his own supper. But IN
stead of stead going straight home
he suddenly turned into one OF. Inc
new streets which led toward ",
river. md at the foot of this turned
again across piece Of waste lana
at the further side OF which n roE
of cottages stood outlined agains'
the sky. ~. d..