An Artist in Crime.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 6, 12 May 1894, Page 13

An Artist in Crime.

Storyteller*

{By Koderigues Ottolengui.) [Copyright.] CHAPTER I. GENTLEMAN thinks he can commit a CKIMK AND ESCAPE DETECTION. “Jack Barnes never gets left, you Hjet.” “ That was a close call, though,” replied the Pullman porter who had given Mr Barnes a helping hand in l»is desperate effort to board the midnight express as it rolled out of IBoston. ‘I wouldn’t advise you to jump on moving trains often “ Thank you for your good advice, and for your assistance. Show me to any place ; I am nearly dead, I am so t*c d “ Upper ten, this way, sir. It’s all jready for you to turn in. When Mr Barnes entered the carnage no one was in sight. If there were other passengers, they were abed. A few minutes later, he himself was patting two little bags of feathers, and placing one on top of the other in a vain attempt to make them serve as one pillow. He had told the porter that he was tired, and this was so true that he should have fallen asleep quickly. Instead, his Brain seemed specially active, and sleep impossible. Mr Barnes, Jack Barnes, as he called himself to the porter, was a detective, and counted one of the shrewdest in New York, where he controlled a private agency established by himself. He had just completed what he considered a most satisfactory piece of work. A large robbery had been committed in New York, and suspicion of the strongest nature had pointed in the direction of a young xaa.n who had immediately been arrested. For ten days the press of the country had been trying and convicting the suspect, during which time Mr Barnes had quietly left the metropolis. Twelve hours before we met bim, those who read the papers over their toast had been amazed to learn that the suspect was innocent, and that the real criminal had been apprehended by the keen - witted Jack Barnes. "\Vhat was better, he had recovered the lost funds, amounting to thirty thousand dollars. He had had a long chase after his man, whom he had shadowed from city'to city and watched day and eight, actuated to this course by a slight clue in which he had placed his faith. Now, his man fast in a Boston prison, he was on his way to New York for requisition papers. As he bad said, he was tired, yet despite the aaeed of complete rest his thoughts persisted in rehearsing all the intricate details of the reasoning which bad at last led him to the solution of the mystery. As he lay in his upper berth awake these words reached his ears: “ If I knew that man Barnes was after me, I should simply surrender.” This promised to be the beginning cf an entertaining conversation, and as be could not sleep,Mr Barnes prepared to listen. Extensive experience as a detective had made him long ago forget the philosophic arguments for and against eavesdropping. The voice which had attracted him was low, but his ears were keen. He located it as coming from the section next ahead of his, number eight. A second voice replied ; “ 1 have no doubt that you would. But I wouldn’t. You over-estimate the ability of the modern detective. I should actually enjoy being hounded by one of them. It would be so much pleasure, and I think so easy to elude bim.” The last speaker possessed a voice which was musical, and he articulated

distinctly, though he scarcely ventured above a loud whisper. Mr Barnes cautiously raised his head, arranging his pillows so that his ear would be near the partition. Fortunately, the two men next to him had taken the whole section, and the upper berth had been allowed to remain closed. Mr Barnes now found that he con Id readily follow the conversation, which continued thus: “ But see how that Barnes tracked this Pettingill day and night until he had trapped him. Just us the fellow supposed himself safe he was arrested. You must admit that was clever work.” “ Oh, yes, clever enough in its way, but there was nothing specially artistic about it. Not that the detective was to blame: it was the fault of the criminal. There was no chance for the artistic.” Yet Mr Barnes had used that very adjective to himself in commenting upon his conduct of this case. The man cont’nued : “ The crime itself was inartistic. Pettingill bungled, Barnes was shrewd enough to detect the flaw, and with his experience and skill in such cases the end was inevitable.” “It seems to me either that you have not read the full account of the case, or else you do not appreciate the work of the detective. Why, all the clue he had was a button.” “Ah ! Only a button—but such a button ! That is where 1 say that criminal was inartistic. He should not have lost that button.” “ It was an accident, I suppose, and one against which be could not have guarded. It was one of the exigencies of bis crime.”

“ Exactly so ; and it is these little accidents, always unforeseen, though always occurring, which hang so many, and jail so many, and give our detectives such an easy road to fame. That is the gist of the whole matter. It is an unequal game, this between the criminal and the detective.” “ I don’t catch what your driving at.” “I’ll give you a dissertation on crime. Attend ! In ordinary business it is brains versus brains. The professional man costends with his fellows, and if he would win the race towards fortune he must show more brains The commercial man competes with other tradesmen all as clever as himself. So it goes from the lawyer to the locksmith, from the preacher to the sign painter. It is brains rubbing against brains, and we get the most polished thought as the result. Thus the science of honest living progresses.” “ What has this to do with the criminal class ?” “One moment. Let the philosopher teach you in his own way. With the criminal it is different. He is matched against his superior. Those in his own class do not contend with him; they are rather his partners, his ‘pals,’ as they term it. His only contention therefore is with the detective who represents society and the law. No man, I suppose, is a criminal from choice, and it is the criminal’s necessity which leads to his detection.” “ Then all criminals should be caught.” “ All criminals should he caught. That they are not is a strong argument against your detective ; for every criminal we may say is actuated by necessity, and therein lies the possibility of his defeat. For example : You may claim that the expert burglar lays his plans in advance, and that the crime being premeditated be should be able to make such careful pre-arrangements that be avoids leaving tell-tale marks behind him. This, however, is rarely the case, for this reason : the unexpected often, if not always, happens, and for that he has not prepared. In a moment he sees prison ahead of him, and his fear steals away .his caution, so that, as we have seen, he does-leave a cine behind him.” “ Bat when yon say the unexpected happens, you admit the possibility for that to occur which could not have been premised, and therefore could not have been guarded against.”

“ That is true as the case stands. ;But remove the necessity which actuates our criminal, and make of him simply a scientific man pursuing crime as an art! In the first place we get an individual who will prepare for more accidents, and secondly, would know how best to meet emergencies which occur during the commission Of his crime. For example: if you will pardon the conceit, were 1 to attempt a crime I should be able to avoid detection.” “ I should think that from your inexperience as a criminal you would be run to earth —well, about as quickly; as this man Pettingill. This was his first crime, you know.” “ Would you be willing to make a wager to that effect F” This last remark fairly startled Mr Barnes, who instantly understood the meaning, which, however, at first escaped the other listener. He waited eagerly for the reply. “ I don’t grasp the idea. Make a wager about what F” “ You said that were I to commit a crime I should be captured about as quickly as Pettingill. If you wish, I will wager that I can commit a crime which will be as much talked of as his, and that I will not be captured, or rather I should say convicted. I would not bet against arrest; for as we have seen in this very case the innocent are sometimes incarcerated. Therefore 1 stipulate for conviction.” “ Do I understand you to seriously offer to commit a crime merely to decide a wager ? You astound me !” “ Ho more perhaps than Pettingill has surprised his friends. But don’t be alarmed; I shall assume all responsibility. Besides, remember it is not crime that is scowled upon in this century, but detection. I wager with you against that. Come, what do say ; shall it be a thousand dollars ? I want a little excitement!” “ Well, you shall have it. At least you shall the excitement of paying the thousand dollars to me; for though I think you are really not intending to become a criminal, in either event I may as well profit by your offer.” “ What do you mean by ‘ in either event ?’ ” “ Why, if you do not commit a crime you pay; and if you do I am sure you would be caught. Then, however much I should regret your disgra'ce, 1 warn you that I should cut you dead, and take your money.” “ Then you accept the wager F” “Ido.” “ Done. How for the conditions. I am to have one month in which to plan and commit my crime, and one year for avoiding the detectives. That is, if I am free at the end of one year, and can prove to you that I committed a crime within the stipulated period, I win the wager. If I am in gaol awaiting trial, the bet cannot be settled until the law has had its way, and I am either proven innocent or guilty. Is that satisfactory F” “ Perfectly. But what class of crime will you commit F” “ My friend, you are inquisitive. The wager is on, and my boasted caution must begin. Therefore I must not tell you anything of the nature of my intended crime !” “ Why, do you suppose for an instant that I would betray you F” “ Well, yes, that idea does occur to me. Listen. As I said before, the necessities of the criminal prove his Hemesis. The necessities involve the object of the crime. That is always a good starting-point in following up a mysterious case. The more unusual the object the better, since it will fit fewer people. Plunder is commonest, and therefore the least promising to trace from. Revenge is common also, but better, because the special revenge connected with the deed must lead to the special individual most likely to execute such revenge In this instance, I mean my own case, the object of the crime is so unique, that the detectiA r e who discovers it should be able to convict me. A crime committed to decide a wager is perhaps new.” “ Its very novelty is your best safeguard.” “Yet there are two ways by which

it may be discovered', and that' is tw* : too many. Had’ 1 undertaken this affair secretly there would really hava 'been but a single way for one to learn’ imy secret —-my own confession. men have been weak enough to do this before now, I should even in that instance have taken precautions. But with my secret in the possession of a third party, the position is more complex.” “1 assure you on my honour that I will not betray you. I will agree to forfeit five times the wager in such an event.” , “ I prefer that you should be perfectly at liberty in the matter. I expect it to be thus : In your own mind at present you do not think that I • shall carry out my purpose. There-• fore your friendship for me is undis- - turbed. Then you count that, if Ido commit a crime, it will be some trivial one that you may bring your conscience to excuse, under the circumstances. But let us suppose that a really great crime should be committed, and for some reason you should suspect me. You will hurry to my rooms before 1 get out of bed, and ask me flatly whether I am guilty. As flatly I should refuse to enlighten you. You would take this as a confession of guilt. You would perhaps argue that if your surmise were correct you would be an accessory before the fact, and to shield yourself and do your duty you would make a clean breast of it.” “ I am beginning to be offended. Bob. I did not think you would trust me so little !” “Don’t get angry, old man. Remember that only a few minutes ago you warned me that you would cut me dead after the crime. We artistic criminals must, be prepared against every contingency.” “ I did not think when I spoke, did not mean it.” “ Yes, you did, and I am not at all angry. Let it be understood then that you will be at lib erty to repeat the facts about this wager should your conscience prick you. It will be best for me to expect and be prepared for such action. But you have not asked what the second danger of discovery is. Can you guess ?” “ Hot unless you mean, as you suggested, your own confession.” “Ho, though that really makes a third chance. Yet it is so simple. Have you noticed that we can hear a man snoring ?” “ Ho !” “ Listen a moment ! Do you hear that ? It is not exactly a snore, but rather a troubled breathing. How that man is in the third section front us. Do you see the point ?” “ I must confess that I would not make a detective.” “ Why, my dear boy, if we can. hear that fellow, why may not some one in the next compartment be listening to our tete-a-tete ?” Mr Barnes fairly glowed with admiration for the fellow’s careful consideration of e /ery point. “ Oh, I guess not. Everybody is asleep.” “ The common criminal takes, chances like that, without countingon them. I shall not. There is a possibility, however remote, that some one, in Ho. 10 say, has Qverheard. us. Again he may even be a detective,, and worse it might be your Mr Barnes himself.” “Well, I must say if you prepareagainst such long odds as that you deserve to escape detection !” “ That is just what I will do. But. the odds are not so great as you imagine. I read in an afternoon paper that Mr Barnes had remained in Boston in connection with properly securing his prisoner during the day, but that he would leave for Hew, York to-night. Of course the newspaper may have been wrong. Then in saying “to-night” it mayhave been inaccurate ; but supposing that the statement were true, then there were three trains upon which he might have started, one at seven o’clock, one at eleven, and this one. One in three is not long odds.” “ But even if he is on this train, there are ten carriages.”

“ Again you are wrong. After his lard work on this Pettingill case he -would he sure to take a sleeper. jNbw, if yon recall the fact, I did not decide to go to New York to-night 1111 the last minute. Then we found that we could not get a whole section, and were about to bunk together in a lower berth when, several more people applying, they determined to put on another carriage. Therefore, unless IVfr Barnes secured his ticket during the day, he would inevitably have I>een assigned to this carriage.” “ Had you any special reason for araggesting No. 10 ?” “ Yes. I know that No. 6 is unoccupied. But just as we started someone came in, and I think took the upper berth of No. 10.” “Mr Barnes began to think that he would have exceedingly difficult work to detect this man in crime, were he i*eally to commit one, in spite of the fact that he knew so much in advance. The conversation continued; “ Thus, you see, there are two ways hy which my object may become known, a serious matter if unguarded against. As, however, I recognise the possibilities in advance, there will he no difficulty, and the knowledge will be of no value to any detective, even though he be your Mr Barnes.” “How will you avoid that danger?” “My dear boy, yon suppose for an instant that I would reply to that, after pointing out that a detective may be listening ? However, I will give you an idea. I will show you what I meant when I said that Pettingill had blundered. You said that he had lost only a button, and thought it clever in Barnes to trace him from the button. But a button may he a most important thing. If I should lose one of the buttons of my vest, while committing u crime, Mr Barnes would trace me out in much less than ten days, and for this reason, that they are the only ones of the kind in the world.”

“ How does that happen ? I suppose that buttons were made bj the thousand ?” “Hot all buttons. For reasons ■which I need not tell the possibly listening detective, a friend travellingabroad had a set made especially, and brought them back to me as a present. They are handsomely cut cameos, talf the set having the profile head of Juliet, and the others a similar face of Eomeo.” “A romance?” “ That is immaterial. Suppose that I should plan a robbery in order to decide this wager. A.s necessity would not urge me either as to time or place, I should choose my opportunity, let us say -when but one person guarded the treasure. That one I should chloroform and also tie. Next, I should help myself to the designated plunder. Suppose that as I were about to depart a sleeping uncaleu-lated-for pet dog should jump out and bark furiously ? I reach for it and it snaps at me, biting my hand. J grapp’e it by the throat and strangle it, but in its death throes it bits my vest, and a button falls to the ground and rolls away. “The dog is at last silenced. Your ordinary burglar by this time would be so unnerved that he would hasten off, not even realizing that he had been bitten, that blood had flowed, or that the button was lost. Mr Baines is sent to the house the next day. The lady suspects her coachman, and Mr Barnes consents to his arrest, not because he thinks him guilty, but because, as the mistress thinks so, he may be, and then more especially, his anestwill lull the fear of the real culprit. Mr Barnes would observe blood on the ground, on the dog’s mouth, and he would find the button. ♦From the button he would find Mr Thief, with his hand bitten, and there you are.” “ But how should you avoid all that?” “ In the first place, were I really wise, I should not have tell-tale buttons about ..me at such a time. But let us suppose that the time had not been of iny own choosing, then the buttons might have been with me. Assured as I should have been that

the only person in the house lay chloroformed and tied, I should not have lost my nerve as did the other individual. Neither should I have allowed myself to be bitten, though if the accident had occurred I should have stopped to wash up the stain from the carpet while fresh, and also from the dog’s mouth. I should have discovered the loss of the button, searched for and recovered it, untied the victim, and opened the windows, that the odor of chloroform could pass off during the night. In fact, in the morning the only evidence of crime would have been the strangled dog and the absence of pelf.” “It is easy enough to explain your actions under supposititious circumstances. But I doubt if in Pettingill’s shoes yon would have been able to retain your presence of mind, and recover the lost button which led to his final arrest.” “It is possible that you are right, for had I been Pettingill I should have been coerced by necessities as he was. Yet I think I shonld not have planned such a robbery, choosing my own time as he did, and then have taken with me such a button. But from Mr Barnes’s standpoint, as I said before, very little of the artistic was needed. The button was constructed of a curious [old coin. Mr Barnes went the rounds of the dealers and found the very man who had sold Pettingill the coin. The rest was routine work.” “Well, yon are conceited, but I don’t mind making a thousand out of your egotism. Now I am sleepy, however, so good-night.” “ Good night, old man. Dream of a way to earn an extra thousand, for I shall win.” For Mr Barnes himself sleep was now more imposible than ever. He was attracted to this new case, for so he counted it, and was determined to trap the individual who wagered against his acumen. It was a long step towards success to know as much as he had overheard. He would not lose sight of his man during the allotted month. He enjoyed the prospect of allowing- him to commit his crime and then quietly taking him in the act. Carefully and noiselessly he dressed himself and slipped out of his berth. Then he crept into one opposite, so that he could have his eye on No. 8, and settled down for an allnight vigil. “ It would not surprise me if that keen fellow were to commit his crime this very night. I hope so, for otherwise I shall have no sleep till he does.”

CHAPTER 11. A DARING AND SUCCESSFUL TRAIN ROBBERY. The train was jnst approaching 1 Stamford, and from the window in the section which he occupied Mr Barnes was watching the sun glowing 1 red over the hilltops, when he heard approaching him the guard who had assisted him to jump aboard the night before. The man was making- m_ysterious gestures, from which Mr Barnes understood that he was wanted. He arose and followed the porter to the smoking-room. “ I think 3'ou called • yourself Barnes,” said the man, “as you jumped aboard last night.” “ Yes, what of it P” “ Are you Mr Barnes the detective P” “ Why do you ask ?” “ Because, if you are, the conductor wants to see you. There was a big robbery committed on the train diming the night.” “ The deuce !” “ Exactly, but will you come into the next carriage P” “Wait a minute.” Mr Barnes went back into the main part of the train, and tip-toed towards No. 8. Gently moving the curtains, he (peeped in and looked long and earnestly. He saw there two men undoubtedly sleeping soundly. Satisfied therefore that he could leave his watch for a brief period, he followed the porter into the next carriage, where he found the conductor waiting for him in the smoking room.

“ You are Mrßarnes the detective?*’ asked the conductor. Mr Bames assented. £ “ Then I wish to place in your hands officially a most mysterious case. We took on a lady last night at Boston, who had a ticket to South Norwalk. As we were approaching that point a short time ago she was notified by the porter. She arose and dressed preparatory to leaving the train. A few minutes later I was hurriedly summoned, when the woman between hysterical sobs, informed me that she had been robbed.” “ Of much ?” “ She claims to miss a hand bag containing a hundred thousand dollars, n jewellery.” “ You have stated that adroitly. She claims to miss ! What evidence have you that she has met with any loss at all ?” “Of course we cannot tell about the jewelery, but she did have a bag, which is now missing. The porter remembers it, and we have searched thoroughly with no success.” “ W~e have stopped at New Haven and at Bridgeport. How many persons have left the train ?” “ No one has left the sleepers.” “ When you say that no one left the sleepers, I suppose you mean you saw’ no one leave ?” “No ! I mean just what I said. I have sent the porters through the carriages, and they report that all our passengers are in their berths. But here we come to a point. If no one has left the train, then the thief must be aboard ?” “ Certainly!”

“ The woman when she discovered her loss concluded to remain aboard and go on to New York. All the other passengers, save one, are booked for Yew York. That one is a man, and he is now dressing, as his destination is Stamford. If he leaves he may take the jewels with him, yet what am I to do ?” “ State the facts of the case to him. Iffhe is innocent he will willingly submit to being searched. If, however, he infuses—well we can be guided by circumstances. Call him in here now.” A few minutes later a foreign and distinctly French-appearing man entered. In speech he disclosed his origin, but the accent was slight. He was of fine appearance, dignified and gentlemanly. Mr Barnes sat at the window looking out. The conductor with considerable hesitancy explained the case, concluding Avith ; “ You see, sir, this is an awkward business, but we are so sure that the thief is still aboard, that ” “ That you hesitate to allow me to lea\ T e the train, eh, Monsieur, is it not so P Yet Avhy should there be any trouble ? An honest man must neA r er be hurt in his feelings when he is asked to assist the law, even though for the moment lie is himself a—what you call it—suspect. In this case it is so simple, if only the honest men Avill make no trouble. They will say to you —‘ Search me.’ You do so, and at last one comes who says —‘You insult me.’ That one is of course the thief, eh, Monsieur, do you not agree Avith me P” He turned towards Mr Barnes, addressing this last remark to him. The detective looked at him a moment steadily, as was his wont Avhen he meant to remember a face. The Frenchman returned the gaze undisturbed. “ I said almost the same, thing to the conductor before you came in,” said Mr Barnes. “ Exactly so. How then with your permission I will disrobe. Look, if you please, most carefully. My honour is at stake. The more carefully yon examine, the less suspicion can attach to mo hereafter.” The conductor made a thorough search, emptying every pocket and taking every precaution. He did not expect to find anything, but it was essential that extreme care should be observed. Nothing Avas found, and the man resumed his clothing. “Hoav, if you please, T haA r e Avith me but two small bags. If the porter will bring them I will unlock them

for yon. I have no trank as T' only" went to Boston for a day’s trip.” The bags were brought, examined,and nothing found. “ Now, gentlemen, I suppose I am free, as we are at my station. I shalT' only remain here a few hours, and will then go on to New York. If you should wish to see me again I shall stop at the Hoffman House. Here ismy card. Au ravoir.” Mr Barnes took the card and scrutinised it. “ What do you think ?” asked theconductor. “ Think ? Oh, yon mean of thatfellow. You need not worry about _ him. Thex-e is not a shadow of picion against him—at present. Besides, should we ever want him I , could find him again. Here is hia-~ name Alphonse Thauret - card genuine too, of French make and-';' style of type. We can dismiss him now and turn our attention to the other passengers. Do you suppose I could have an interview with the woman ?” “You shall have it if you wish. We will not consult her wishes in the matter. The affair is too serious.” “Mery well, then, send her in andlet me have a few words with her alone. Don’t tell her that lam adetective. Leave that to me.” A few minutes later a tall woman, woman, apparently about forty-five years of age, entered. She was nothandsome, yet had a pleasing face. As she seated herself she looked: keenly at Mr Barnes in ? stealthymanner, which should have attractedthat gentleman’s earnest thought. Apparently he did not notice it. The woman spoke first. “ The conductor has sent me in hereto see you. What have you to do with the case ?” “ Nothing- !” “ Nothing ? Then why— —” “ When I say I have nothing to do with the case, I mean simply that it rests with you whether I shall undertake to restore to you your diamondsor not. I look after such things for this company, but if the loser does not wish any action taken by the company, why then we drop the matter. Do you wish me to make a search for the stolen property ?” “ I certainly wish to recover the jewels, as they are very valuable; but 1 am not sure that I desire to , place the case in the hands of a detective.” “ Who said that I am a “Are you not one ?” “ Mr Barnes hesitated a moment,, but quickly decided on his course. “ I am a detective connected with a private agency. Therefore I can undertake to look up the thief without publicity. That is your main objection to placing the case in my hands, is it not F” “ You are shrewd. There are reasons, family reasons, why I do not wish this loss to be published to the•world. If you can undertake to recover the jewels and keep this robbery out of the newspapers I would pay you well.” “ I will take the case. Now answ r er me a few questions. First, youx name and address.” “ My name is Rose Mitchel, and I am living temporarily in a furnished flat at— East Thirtieth Street. I, have only recently come from New Orleans, my home, and am looking, for suitable apartments.” Mr Barnes took out his note-book and made a memorandum of the address. “ Married or single F” “ Married; but my husband has been dead for several years.” “ Now about these jewels. How did it happen that jmu were travel-ling-with so valuable a lotofjew lery?” “ I have not lost jeweleiy, but jewels. They are unset stones of rare beauty —diamonds, rubies, pearls, and other precious stones. When my husband died, he left a large fortune but there were also large debts which swallowed up everything save what w r as due him from one crediter. This was 'an Italian nobleman—l need not mention his name —who died almost at the same time as my husband.

'"The executors communicated with me, and our correspondence-culmi-nated in my accepting these jewels in payment of the debt. I received them in Boston yesterday, and already I have lost them. It is too cruel, too - cruel.” She gripped her hands together convulsively, and a few tears . coursed down her face. Mr Barnes mused a few moments and seemed not : to be observing her. «What was the value of these jewels ?” « A hundred thousand dollars.” “ By what firm of forwarding agents 'Were they sent to you ?’* The question was a simple one, and ' J[r Barnes asked it rather mechani,.,eally, though he was wondering if the thief had come across the ocean — from France perhaps. He was therefore astonished at the effect produced. The woman arose suddenly, her whole manner changed. She replied with . Jher lips compressed tightly, as though under some excitement. “ That is not essential. Perhaps _I am telling too much to a stranger anyway. Come to my apartment this evening, and I will give you further particulars—if I decide to leave the -case in your hands. If not I will pay you. for whatever trouble you have in the interim. Good morning.” . Mr Barnes watched her leave the toom without offering .to detain her or making any comment on her singular mourner. Without rising from his . Seat he looked out of the window and strummed ;.pn the. pane. he thought it would be difficult to tell, bad presently he said aloud, though there was no one to hear him : “ I thjnk she is a liar.” Having relieved himself thus, he returned to his own carriage. He found two gentlemen in the toilet mom allowing themselves to be searched, laughing over the matter as .a, huge joke. He passed by and entered his own compartment, which porter had put in order. One after- another the few passengers .arose, heard of the robbery, and Cheerfully passed through the ordeal . being searched. At last his patience was rewarded by seeing the curtains of number Cght moving, and a moment later a fertp looking young man of six-and-•fcwenty emerged, partly dressed, and went towards the toilet. Mr Barnes sauntered after him, and entered the ; smoking-room. He had scarcely - seated himself before a man entered, who was evidently the other occupant . section eight. Whilst this second man was washing, the conductor explained to the other about the robbery, and suggested that he allow bimself to be searched. By this time .She conductor was becoming excited. They were within a few minutes of ISfew York, and all his passengers had been examined save| these two. Yet t£hese two looked more aristocratic Shan any of the others He was asikmished therefore to observe that the jemng man addressed seemed very isiiach disturbed. He stammered and sputtered, seeking words, and finally iu a hoarse voice addressed his companion : “ Bob, do you hear, there’s been & jobbery !” His friend Bob was bending over ifiko water basin, his head and face • wavered with a stiff soap lather and Ms hands rubbing his skin vigorously. Hefore replying he dipped his head completely under the water, held it submerged a moment, then stood <srect with eyes shut and reached for sa, towel. In a moment he had wiped tike suds from his eyes, and looking at Ms friend he answered most unconcernedly : “ What of it ?” “ But—but —the conductor wants ik3> search me.” “ All right. What are you afraid {s■£? You are not the thief, are you?” “ No —but ” There is no but in it. If you are innocent let them go through you.” Tken with a light laugh he turned to the glass and began his «cravat. His friend looked at him a moment with an expression which no <sne but Mr Barnes understood. The Selective had recognised by thieir voices that it was Bob who had made

the wager to commit a crime, and it was plain that his friend already suspected him. His fright was occasioned by the thought that perhaps Bob had stolen .the jewels during the night and then secreted them in Ms clothing where if found the suspicion would not be on Bob. Mr Barnes was amused as he saw the young man searching himself. In a few minutes, with a sigh of intense relief, having evidently discovered nothing foreign in his pockets, he turned to the conductor who stood waiting and expectant. “Mr Conductor,” he began, “I fear that my conduct has seemed suspicious. I can’t explain, but nevertheless I am perfectly willing to have you make a search. Indeed I am anxious that it should be a thorough one.” The examination was made, and, as with the others, nothing was found. “ Here is my card. I am Arthur Randolph, of the firm J. Q. Randolph and Son, Bankers.” Mr Randolph stood a trifle more erect as he said this, and the poor conductor felt that he had done him a grievous wrong. Mr Randolph continued : “ This is my friend, Robert Leroy Mitchel. I will vouch for him. At the name Mitchel, Mr Barnes was a trifle startled. It was the same as that which had been given by the woman who had been robbed. At this point, Mr Mitchel, a man of forty-five, -with a classic face, spoke : “ Thanks, Ar thur, I can take care of myself.” The conductor hesitated a moment, andd then addressed Mr Mitchel : “ I very much regret the necessity which compels me to ask you to allow yourself-to be searched, but it is my duty.” “ My dear sir, I perfectly understand that it is your duty, and have no personal feelings against you. Nevertheless, I distinctly refuse.” (To be continued).