Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

Poor things, I always pity them, even though I may know them to be guilty.” “I think you must be a very good man,” said Marion, looking up at his face again. “It is a great pity, sir, that you shoufd be a detective. Would not some other vocation be far more congenial ?” ‘ “T hardly think so, miss,” was the officer's slow answer. “One side of the detective ‘business is not so bad. We fellows are able to right a good many wrongs, and the end _ justifies the means, in my opinion. Now, in this case, for instance, I expect to do some pretty clever work. I expect to bring to bag at least three criminals, and [ may be able to catch another class of bird, the fellow that paid the bill for that Miss Chester’s manceu- _vre.” “By Jove! That is so! Wiggin must have been paid for that trip in the baggage ca a” _ “And Miss Chester had no money! Why, even her old brooch is not valuable! It isn’t worth a penny over forty or fifty dollars !’” “Not much of a figure to risk one’s repu- tation on,” laughed Mr. Temple. Then he _ turned suddenly and looked at Marion. The _ young actress’ eyes were snapping as though _ she had just thought of something and, as _the detective sprang upon the box, she called out to him, softly: _ “Oh, please get down a minute, sir; I want you to do something for me,” she said, rapid- ly. “I want you to arrest Bill Jenkins for complicity in the breaking open of my trunk. He was in charge of the baggage car and he is responsible. it without his permission !” __ The others stared at her, but the detective % laughed heartily. _ “A clever idea, miss! It will be as good _ as acounter charge. [I'll go over and arrest him on suspicion, if you say so?” | He asked the question of Mr. Temple, but he was lceoking at Marion. _ The young girl had charmed him with her ~ beauty and shrewdness. “Do so, by all means! I will make the _ charge,” said the manager. “That car con- tained my property and he had the key. _ Arrest Bill Jenkins at once, Mr. Officer!” CHAPTER VIII. IMPRISONED. ___ Five minutes later the second detective was in charge of Bill Jenkins, and the whole party __ Was on the way to police headquarters. A _ crowd of boys followed them until the car- ‘Mages were out of sight, but, when they _ reached headquarters, anoth the Beau er crowd lined 4 MY QUEEN. Wiggin could not have done’ 19 ‘Hello! My advance agent has been do- ing good work here!” laughed Mr. Temple, as he saw a large lithograph of Marion star- ing him in the face, just as he alighted from the carriage. “I’ve seen nothing but our bills ever since we left the station. ‘hey have blossomed on every fence and blank wall in Columbus!” “Ves, and I’ve seen two or three of the new posters, too, Mr. Temple!” laughed Miss Allyn. “I did not say anything because you were talking, but, really, that scene where Marion is being thrown from the train is a clever bit of advertising! The only trouble is, people will never believe it!” “Yes they will, if they read the papers,” said Mr. Temple, quickly. ‘The advance agent has had the whole thing written up in the Columbus papers in the past two davys. He gave a detailed account of Miss Marlowe's experiences since we started. It was cleverly done and has made the public wild to see ber.” “They may not wish to see me, now that IT am accused of being a thief,” murmured Marion, as she stepped to the sidewalk. “Oh, do see the people stare! This is awful, Mr. Temple!” The manager turned quickly and offered her his arm. He would have given the world to have been able to shield her. | “Pshaw, Marion! What do vou care! You are used to an audience! It isn’t be- cause of this last unpleasantness that the people want to see you!” whispered Miss Allyn, thoughtfully. “Why, it’s ten to one they haven’t half of them even heard of it! They know you are Marion Marlowe, and that is sufficient!” “It will be a good ad., miss, if you can only look at it that way,” said the detective, as he led the wav into the station-house. “Tl have you out of this in a jiffy—that is, if the sergeant isn’t sulky.” “Dear me! Does justice depend upon the state of a man’s liver?” asked Miss Allyn, disgustedly. “If it does, let us hope that he is in good health this morning.” “Justice the world over depends upon somebody’s_ state of feelings,’ said Mr. Temple. “The very laws themselves speak eloquently of that fact! JT know several laws that are distinctly bilious.” “And others that are measly!” laughed Miss Allyn, as she mounted the steps beside Marion. The next moment another carriage drove up and the second detective came in with his prisoner, Bill Jenkins. Mr. Temple made his statement, and Miss Allyn corroborated him. bt ee shook his head—he wour414} solgeractin