davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

An ordinary cop'" he muttered, in a
tone of intense disgust. Serves me
right. If I'm Jagged for life.
What's happened TO the INSPECTOR
Senskin demanded,
He got his was the curt reply, "as
I hope you will. before long"
The wagon ratified up, Benskin es-
corted his charge inside and seated
himself in a position Of security. They
made call at the nearest station, and
Sent reinforcements to the silent house,
IN case they were required Benskin,
resisting his desire TO return with them,
did what he conceived TO be his duty
and conducted his prisoner to head
Quarters TIE sergeant in charge
locked up in arlczement,
Whats the meaning of this. Ben
sk!n?" he inquired WIN, it's Inspec-
tor Henslow,"
3enskin smiled Not on your life,
sir" he rejolnei. That's the bluff he
tried to work on ne This is Craw-
icy Martin, the chief of the bunch we
we're after tonight"
The Sergeant's eyes glittered. If
you've got this right, Benskin." he OBJ
served. lit will be the biggest days
work you ever did. Gene along" he
added, dipping his pen in the ink
Let's have the charge and set him
down to the cells
Benskin heard the story at Inspector
KenSlows bedside the following after
noon,
1T was Brooks let us down a bit"
he confided. They we're as thick there
as rats in sewer They rushed the
back entrance, and half dozen of
them got away While some of our
chaps we're after them. went for Mar
tin and chased him into room. only
to find five of them there. One Of
them got me over the head from be-
hind, and, when woke up, it was
here. last night"
Wen, We got Martin anyway, you
know BenSkin observed, with a little
pardonable exultation.
You got him." the inspector said
weakly. "A fine show, that. He passed
they never dreamed of stopping him.
What made you suspicious Of hin?"
Several things. He took longer
strides than you, for one. He hadn't
stopped to change his boots. for another.
and he started walking on the right
of me. whereas you aiwa.s walk on
the left"
"A fine piece of work. Benskin." the
inspector approved. Get you promo
ton, sure!'
pENSKIN returned to Scotland Yard
- with a deep sense of satisfaction
in his heart Arrived there, he found
summons that brooked no delay.
Within 10 minutes, he was standing re-
spectfully before the desk Of Mai.
Houlden, the deputy chief commission
er. Tbs latter leaned back in his chair.
"A very creoitable performance. Ben
skin" he declared. How did you tunn-
BILE to it?"
Well. what started my suspicious,
sir" Benskin explained. was the in
spector coming out alone, which seemed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

TT is probable that not one person In
thousand consulting a time table
on the eve Of railroad journey ever
gives thought TO the vast amount
Of work involved In the making of that
useful print. He probably considers the
folder as simply print telling the time
trains are arriving or leaving He prob
ably never stops to think that before
the time tables are printed the man
who gets up the schedules must see that
he does not have two trains running In
opposite directions on a single track at
the same time and must make sure that
he will not have Western train
crashing into a local which stops on
Saturday only to let of passengers
from points East
The first duty of the man who gets
up railway schedules Is to see that he
does not have two trains running into
each other. To do this he must be ia
nliliar with operating conditions all over
the system and must keep an eagle eye
70 the stops and movements and speed
OF all trains. One may be running along
nicely~on the time table-~until the
fact suddenly appears that local Is
pursuing the same course at lower
rate OF speed directly In the path OF the
limited express.
Another train may be scheduled In
pass junction point or the crossing of
another road at certain time. when
the other road may have one Of It's
trains due to pass there These posi-
bilities require careful watching and the
necessary readJustment OF the eched-
uieg 10 avoid piling up engines, cars,
baggage and passengers along the right
OF way. When certain trains are Ia
| make the connection with trains OF
other roads the man who gets up the
schedules must see that his trains ar
rive al the junction point before and
not after the connecting train leaves
Then the time table maker Is re-
sponsible for the accuracy OF ths
arrival and departure times shown
In the time table. II he, slips M
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

with scarf fiung careleSsly around his
neck, he was a magnificent study for a
portrait. Following him was A hand
some secretary. pencil and notebook in
hand and papers under his arm, Who
seemed to be recording on the run the
purchase of a superior horse from the
third member of the group.
Coming quickly over 10 me and
taking my hand. Mr.. LoewcnSteiu
apologized for being late,
This is the way you should ce
nainted." / told him. Just as you are
now. but there is only time for me 70
make sketch of your head"
Even as Mfr. Loewenstein was greeting
me other secretaries and associates APP
peared, And III the hum of converse
ton, which he dominated. they retired
to his apartment. where ne insisted he
must so to put himself In order for the
sitting.
Gone was the spirit of the out-cf =.
doors when he reappeared. Now he was
a man of business, perfectly groomed.
with charming and conventional man.
ners. As | began 10 sketch him his
breakfast was brought and placed in
front OF him. For minute everything
was calm. but only for minute Their
his breakfast was waved aside. two Sec
retarieS were taking orders at once. He
was jumping up To answer the tele-
phone. talking TO far-away place in
America. to Europe. He was a hurri-
cane again. II was like trying to sketch
one of the propellers of his airplane.
During that first minute he had made
a hight to sit still. but he had lost. And
realized that this man of energy,
whose personality would tempt any
artist, was going to make my soul weep
trying TO get him upon canvas.
People coming and GONG do not
bother me; great amount Of confusion
does not matter II my model Is reason
ably still, But If there are telephone
calls to Europe at $700 call, IL is likely
To affect ones concentration.
TelegramS-te lephones~-panting sec
retarieS. Instructions to put in long
distance telephone caliS--suggeStions
for all sorts of detailS--plans for guests
TO be invited to a dinner party that eve
ming. Yet with IL all, Capt. Loewen-
stein found time TO tease his secretary
about girl and to explain To lis with a
smile. He likes your American girls
THEN Mime, loewenStetn appeared,
She sat beside me, watching the
sketehing.
II could pose patiently III my wife
would sit where I could look nj her"
he said, You should be painting her,
not me-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

/ Nine. Ioewenstein would have made
! a beautiful portrait She was smart in
/ her French clothes and showed excel
/ lent taste in wearing jewels. She was
slender and had auburn hair and beau
tiful eyes. She did not look old enough
to have son of II
For q few fleeting moments the three
I Of us we're alone. Then the secretaries
were back. The telephones were ring
ing. All was confusion again.
had hoped that on the second
morning some miracle might happen SO
that would not be tempted 10 destroy
the portrait And ct first 1t looked as
though my wish might be granted
Capt. Loewenstein had been flying and
riding again, and on his return he
apologi1ed for being late. adding;
Now YOU can have half hour with
out interruption, although haven't
seen my wife this morning. No one
shall disturb you, The others can
wait"
But in minute or two fate brought
six men from Canada to discuss coal,
And work on the portrait vas at
Standstill, though Mr.. LoewenSteins
arguments and answers we're So keen
that 1 nearly forgave those six men.
Occasionally he would remember he
was posing, Tneu ne would lean fcr-
ward, smile and make some such gall
liant remark as Il should be painting
YOU"
People and kilograms. secretaries and
telephone calls continued necessarily
Yet he dominated the upheaval easily
with his smile and his good nature
Doesn't he ever lose his temper" l
asked one of the secretaries.
Il should say he does" came the posi-
tive and smiling reply.
That he brought his own pilot with
him and hoped from one part Of the
country To another In the air Is de-
tail of expression Of this mans energy.
l asked him II he could ny plane
Il can" he replied, but can't keep
my mind ON ii for long"
There is no doubt that ne was q
Super-man of energy. One Of his
friends told me he was a devil or
machine and wore every one our, he
was not a machine, but a force with an
ELECTRICAL power TO manipulate the at
fairs of many industries. Re was not q
devil, but fine human. BE knew early
morning as the birds that firSt sing. aud
he dined late In the evening as II he
did not know the early day.
America termed him the man OF
mystery" and IN death he lived up to
that title Eat 10 me Alfred Loewen
stein wa man II personality,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

subscriber to the library particularly in
terested in works on alchemy and
magic?"
we could tell Of course. only by the
books they ask for One of our young
fellows at the counter has marvellous
memory. Well try him. If you like"
Il should be very grateful"
They found the young man. who lis
tened to what the librarian had to say.
There's one young fellow he con-
fidcd, takes out nothing but books on
alchemy and occultism-comes here,
now and then. and reads In the refer
ence department, too
Can you give me his name and
address,"
Il can find you his ticket. l expect.
He hasn't been in for few days"
The young man disappeared and re-
turned with strip of cardboard.
The name is Richard Monk" he
announced address, Ballater Build
ings. just behind here"
Censkin glanced at his watch as he
left the library. 1t was just o'clock
not too late for a call at Ballater
Buildings Here stroke of good for
tune hcfell him. The man seated be-
hind the desk In the plain stone hall
was en- ex-policeman. The two shook
hands.
Il looked In to make an inquiry
about one of your dodgers here-Rich-
ard Hfonk." Benskin said.
The porter scratched his chin. mot
much wrong With him, except that he's
been pretty we'll starved lately. Writ
ing book. he always says he is, but
It don't seem to bring him much. He
got hold OF bit CT brass last week and
paid up the rent or out from here he'd
have had to GO
II don't suppose you'd be able to
remember what Monks movements
were last Thursday evening.
The man considered. He most often
stays In at night" he Illuminated. Let
me see. Last Thursday 1t was. he had
to go out for an hour or so in the eve
ning--somewhere about 8 or 9. think
it was. I didn't see him come back,
but I know it wasn't late. because his
key had gore again when I went up
at 10 O'Clock. l know that was the
night. because it was the same night
that the old bookseller In Dunster
street, round the corner here, got done
in"
Benskin made a little note In his
pocketbook. II don't know whether
anytl1ing will come of this" he said.
but keep what you have told me in
your mind. will you?-it might be i'm
portant"
\
A BOUT an hour and half later.
~ Benskin climbed Ave flights of
steps and knocked at a door upon
which was pasted an envelope adj
dressed to Richard Monk There was
brief delay. then the sound Of chair
being pushed back. and the door was
thrown open A slim, scowling Young
man looked at his visitor suspiciously.
What do YOU want?" he demanded.
"A word with you Mr.. Monk" Ben
skin answered.
The Young man stood grudgingly on
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

it. too! Richard was like that. He was
chockful of horror at himself for the
thing he had done. and wanted to die"
Il believe he did" Benskin groaned.
And now?"
The girl chuckled morbidly. There
was terrible light in her eyes.
i've got half the money" she said.
He left it under the mat in the parlor.
Do you know how I spend my nights?
1 light the gas, and I go round every
shelf in the place to see If there Is q
book upside down That's because I'm
going mad. you see! I'm mad enough
now to kill you, If had anything TO
do 1t with"
She turned away, disappearing
through the inner door. slamming and
locking it after her Benskin slowly
left the place. From that moment ne
felt that he never should think again,
without nauseating thrill. of the COM
mencement of his career, of those suave
compliments that had fallen to his lot
for having tracked down the murderer
of Samuel Rudd.
tCopyriEht. 1887
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

! the first big assignment that had come
his way. and this had come to him BY
chance. Burton. his senior. had had the
case until he had been stricken down
by influenza. and Burton, upon handing
it over. admitted that he could make
little of it.
This much / can tell you, Benskin.
he had conficied. after explaining the
facts. there isn't hope outside. I've
done that part of the job thoroughly
II there's anything in the shape OF a
clue. it's in the book-shop itself"
So Burton had betaSen himself &c
bed. and EenSkin made his way 10 the
book-shop The young lady whom
through the medium of a diminutive err
rand boy, he summoned from the in
side premises, made her appearance
She vas dark, good locking, but some
what Sullen of expression. She frowned
at the newcomer
My name is BcnsSin," he announced
Detective Benskin.'
What, another Of you!" she eX-
claimed There's been n Mr., Burton
about the place for mere than a week
asking all sorts of questions"
MFR. Burton is down with influenza,
BersSin told her. Il have had to take
oTer his work"
well. he didn't seem TO do much
good" she remarked. Took up time
and never got a step forwarder. II
seems a rum thing to me that a harm
less old gentleman like Uncle Sam
should have been done to death here
not so yards from Holborn, and you
Scotland Yard men haven't been able
to do anything about it,"
&c ,A4 wis
skin reminded her. You should ap-
preciate the feet that there are special
difficulties to contend with. Although
as you say. you are so close to Holborn
this street itself is very quiet one
and, according to Burton's report. al
though every one in the neighborhooc
has been questioned. not soul was
seen to enter or leave the shop within
even half an hour of the time of the
murder. That doesn't give us much to
start en-, does it,"
Il suppose not"
DO you mind showing me where your
uncle's body was found?' he asked
She lifted flap of the counter and
came out. The shop was lined with
booksilelves. with two winged ones pro-
tru6ing at right angles into the room al
the farther end She pointed to the
space in front Of one of these.
THAT is where he was found" she
said. HE was lying upon his face, with
his skull beaten in hope don't have
to tell any more Of you about it. II
gives me the shivers every time I look
at the place"
Il am sure you won't be troubled
again." he told her sympathetically. III
have to pass the case on to some one
else, shall be able to tell him all that
is necessary. have a little plan oil
the way your uncle was lying. The
suggestion seems to be that he was
struck down from the left-hand side
It must have been from somewhere
about here"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

you we're out?" Benskin repeated,
with an immense relief.
Yes, I was out l didn't kill him
with my own hands, although I've done
it in my mind, many time. Richard
did that all right. But do you think I
shall be able to forget that it was who
put the idea into his head? He didn't
want to do It, He hated the thought.
1t was 1 who nagged him into it. What
do you think of that. Mr. Detective-or
don't you ever think at ALL except to get
your poor prisoner under lock and key,
and chuckle when he swings? What do
YOU think about 1t now, I wonder?
Richard struck the blow. but there was
never murder in his brain. l put it
there. Here I am. Richard is hanged.
Is that iustice?"
You could have given evidence"
Benskin told her 1T might not have
altered the sentence, but one never
knows"
He wouldn't let me- I went to see
him. He swore that, If I did, he would
contradict me fatty and say that I was
irving to shield him. He'd have done
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

to me queer Then we didn't keep
pace very we'll He walked on the
wrong side Of me, and. though his
voice was good imitation, 1t was
throatier than Henslow's."
"A useful habit, that, taking note of
trifles." Maj. Houlden observed Now,
We want 10 do something for you, Ben,
skin. How old are you?"
"Twenty-seven, sir"
Il have your record here. Seems you
were the son Of clergyman and went
TO a public school. What made you start
as a policeman"
Couldn't find another job, sir, and
liked 1t better than indoor work
hoped IL might lead to something else"
well. you're one of those lucky M
who'ye hid their chance and taken IT,"
Maj. Houlden said kindly You'll get
your stripe at once. Benskin, there'l be
a money gratuity. Of course, and you'll
be on the watched list. How does that
suit2"
Most fattering. sir was the prompt
reply, but. If / might be permitted
without seeming ungratcful, had a re-
quest Of my own 10 make"
Make it. by all means" Mai Houl-
den assented.
Il should Ike TO exchange into the
detective force, sir" Benskin ,confided.
The commissioner nodded Well he
admitted, that isn't an unreasonable
idea. II may not mean quite as rapid
promotion, you know. Benskin ! cant
put you over the heads Of lot Of good
men. ali at once.
Il quite understand that, sir. +" was the
reply, "eut, If you1 allow me TO be
frank with you. should like 10 say
that l only joined the constabulary in
the hope Of being able 10 exchange
some day into the detective force. I've
had a fancy for II ever since / vas a
/ lad"
| Mai HouIden nodded Wen. Ben
skin, he announced you're enrolled Oh
the detective staff from today en-. If
Hoil we're a novice, ] should feel it my
duty TO warn you against being led
away by the glamour Of what 50 many
| people seem 10 think is a life of per-
| petual excitement and adventure. OF
| cc1 Sc, you know it's nothing Of the
s9!t. Three quarters Of the work you'll
I have 20 tackle will be as dull as per-
| h2ps more SO than your present job"
Il quite understand that sir" Ben
SKIN replied. It's the other quarter I'm
looking forward 10 -
INEFFECTIVE BENsKIk glanced roune
- the secondhand book-shop with
The eyes Of man who has Schooief
himself IN search for hidden values
even in the most trifiins phases Of life
After year of routine work, this VA
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

/ one side, and Benskin entered. The
apartment was barely furnished. In
the middle OF the room was table
covered with sheets Of manuscript, and
a parcel OF typewriter matter was piled
upon a chair.
Il have a warrant for your arrest
for the murder OF Samuel Rudd. book
seller. OF Dunstcr street, last Thurs
day" BenSkin announced. IF you
ply whatever to the charge. In any
case. you will have to come with me
to Bow street"
The young man tottered to the chair
upon which he had been seated, and
glared at his visitor.
Murder Who are you?" he de-
manded
Il am Detective Benskin You had
better make your preparations and come
along with me. The sooner It's over,
the better. l have taxi outside"
Richard Monk began to sort manu-
script with trembling fingers.
Just three minutes" he begged
"This~must be done. My book. I've
lust finished it,"
II will wait" BenSkin assented.
In less than the time stated the
loose pages were all In order and heaped
side by side with the typewriter script.
The young man tied a piece Of tape
around both Then. turning away. ne
produced a coat and hat,
Benskin slipped handouts upon his
wrists You mustn't mind he en-
planned You see, this is serious
charge"
Upon the first landing Monk paused
There Is one question" he said, i
should like to ask you,
Il have told you that should advise
you not to speak at all" was the stern
reminder.
Nevertheless" the other proceeded
Il want TO ask you this, ] can't go on
for n moment anyway. My knees feel
funny, What made you single me out
as being the man who might have killed
Samuel Rudd2 Did any one see me en-
ter or leave the shop"
Benskin shook his head. You must
not ask me to explain, We're not al
lowed TO discuss these things. ! VIII
tell you this. though: got on your
track because there was volume I'D
Rudd's bookstore put In upside down.
The Rosicruciansr the young man
! uttered.
| 4 MONTH or so later curiosity tempt
- ed Benskin to loiter once more out
side the hookshop In DunSter street,
| The girl came out more sullen than
ever, more untidy, thin and hollow eyed.
She motioned TO him and he crossed
the threshold
you are sure you hung the right
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

TIME mise-en-scens was a fitting
one for the coming drama, the
neishborhood grinily suburban
one of those Tricky populated
districts that never. even with
the aid Of tram and omnibus, seem to
escape from the gloom snd pail Of the
city.
The street. however. III which the last
desperate Strucgle was TO take place be-
tween the Police and Craviey Martin $
band Of criminals was situated well
away from the msin artery Of traffic
ana had undoubtedly seen better days.
Il vsS a: the corner of this thorough
fare, OFT CT sight of any one who might
have been watching from the windows.
that inspector EenSlow marShaled his
nen. He listened To the striking az
distant clock and compared the hour
With his watch.
"A quarter past IL" he announced
sofyly Martin should have been there
en- hour by now-tins enough for nm
to have settled down. You are sure you
saw him enter the house, Brooks?
ITS a dead cert. sir" shadow
form in plain clothes replied. We got
on to him in the Three Crowns in the
Mile End road and marked him 10 the
door. Saunders vas with him. and
Eastail--the man We want for the High
gate burglary. Eddie Joseph We know
to be IN the house, too He's got bad
arm. and hasn't been out for DIS"
And how many mere, I wonder?'
the inspector unused.
Il can't exactly say, sir, the detective
admitted. ITS a pretty sensitive neigh
borhood here-too many inquiries. how
ever carefully they're made. and the
birds flown
The inspector nodded. That's right"
he agreed. ITS bunch We want bad
IL. but it's got TO be surprise job, or
It doesn't come of at all Let's see, how
many are we9 Seven. That ought to be
enough You three" he went on. point
ing TO the nlotionless trio in the back
ground. with Ssrgt. Pryce. get round
to the yard gate. When you hear my
ring at the front door. stand to atten-
ton round by the lower windows and
tbs rear entrance. Directly you are
sure am inside the place, come in, but
leave one man on guard. You under
stand?"
There was chorus of assent. The
men disappeared up passage. The in
spector patted his hip pocket, frightened
his belt and motioned to the other two.
Wen go round to the front" he an
nounced Nov the question is, which
OF you shall take with me?"
He looked thoughtfully at the two
guardians of the peace. keeping step
with him through the misty twilight.
Police Constable bruce on his left was
q man with a hard, resolute face and
broad shoulders. Police Constable Ben
skin on his right hand, however, was Of
a veedier type, with much narrower
shoulders, more sensitive and less force
fal face, and q couple Of inches shorter
than his comrade. Nevertheless, he
wes the first TO volunteer.
I'm not afraid of scrap, sir" he
declared.
Handle your gun all right, Ell? Not