Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

18 the members of the company and their bag- gage now, and Mr. Temple was beginning to wonder how he should get his ladies away safely, when the other officer moved close to him and tapped him on the shoulder. _“T think I can see through this whole thing, sir,’ he said, softly. ‘Bill Jenkins used to be one of us, in a way, only he'belonged to a dif- terent agency, so! can’t say anything with- out proof, but, after we have arrested Miss Marlowe, the rest will be easy.” Mr. Temple shuddered. The words hurt him cruelly; still, he felt sure that the detect- ive had solved the mystery in his own mind, and he was disposed to yield to his advice in the matter. He tried to explain the situation to Marion, but could only speak with difficulty. The poor girl's face was so pale that he felt ' alarmed for fear that she was about to faint from the shock of such a hideous accusa- tion. But the brave girl smiled back into his face, and her voice was calm and she an- swered: “T am sure it will all be explained very soon,” she said, pleasantly, “so, please, don’t any of you worry a bit. I will go with the officers and trust to them and you to clear me !”’ “And we'll do was boiling over it, too!” cried Bert, who with indignation. “We'll find that fellow Wiggin and make him wriggle, vou bet! Oh, I wish I had carried out mv first intention and ducked him!” “We'll catch him, if he is above ground,” said Dr. Brookes, hotly. “I'll set the police force in Cleveland to work this minute !"’ He darted toward the telegraph office in the station as he spoke, and Bert was about to follow him, but Mr. Temple moved a step toward him and spoke a few words softly. “Bill is scared to death! Look at him, fackson! He knows more about Wiggin than he is telling.” “Qh, it was a put up job and they were the two accomplices without doubt,” was Bert’s answer: then he stopped a moment and did some hard thinking. One of the officers had ordered a carriage | at Mr. Temple’s request, and now Marion and Alma Allyn were about to enter it. “Tam going with her,” said Mr. Temple, turning. “Keep your eye on Bill, I am sure he is the proper fellow to watch. Dont let him get out of your sight for a single min- ute.” “Vou bet I won’t! And woe be unto him ‘fT find that he is anything worse than a de- tective. T can’t understand his part in the husiness.” & - ‘We'll understand tt hetter soon, was Nr. MY QUEEN. Temple’s low answer. “That detective will set us straight about him, I’m sure of it.” He walked over to the carriage and took a, seat beside Marion, after giving a few in- structions to the other members of the com- pany. “T’ll be at the theatre in an hour,” he called out as the driver moved over ou his seat to make room for the detective, “and, if nothing fails, [11 bring Miss Marlowe with me. She shall never go into a cell, if J can prevent it.” ‘“T should say not,” called back Bert, with a significant look. ‘That must not happen— you understand, Mr. Temple.” The manager nodded his head and Marion leaned over and smiled. “Dear old Bert! He'd spend his last penny to keep me from suffering any such indig- nity,” she said, softly, “but I am sure they will not detain me when they hear my story. Wig- gin must have done it, but what on earth made him?” ‘Money probably! most people commit crimes,’ snapped Miss Allyn. “Why, you have an excellent suit for damages, if you can ever catch the fellow; but that’s where the trouble lies—we will never catch him.” | “We will, if the Cleveland police force is any good,” said Mr. Temple, thoughtfully. “T know for a certainty that the wrecking train had to stop at two places on its way back. At the least calculation they'll not be in before four o’clock to-day. The question is—will Wiggin stick to it or will he leave it at one of the smaller stations?” “Leave it, of course! I tell you, we'll never lay eyes on his little shriveled phiz again!” cried Miss Allyn. “Oh, I just hate myself for ever treating him civilly. I was sure he’d blow up the train, but now he has done worse. He has actually tried to blow up Marion’s character!” "Le Marion burst out laughing. Her friend's words were so funny. The sound of her merriment cheered them all considerably. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” said the detective, looking into the carriage door before mounting to his seat, “but I just want to say that I know Miss Marlowe is innocent. No thief or criminal of any sort could laugh like that!” “That isn’t bad for a detective,” laughed Mr. Temple, as Marion looked up and smiled. “Vou fellows are not usually credited with having much poetry in your souls, but it is evident that your profession has not spoiled your appreciation of music.” “No, nor my love of pretty women,” said the detective, laughing, “although it is the retty women that get into the most mischief. heir vanity leads tharelpnc svete) <oerefetn a) That is what makes — ”