Might and Main Library. Number 56, 1907-03-16 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

“MIGHT AND | ‘MAIN LIBRARY. ee POR SLEEPY DETECTIVE. vee . : Joshita Vernon walked rapidly away, unconscious of. be- ing: shadowed. He did not feel so disconcerted, perhaps; ‘being a man of the world, he was aware that certain for- _ malities would have to be ‘observed ere he could enter into possession of an estate like Glen William. _ He did not fashion his steps toward the Sie town, but, after getting clear of the estate, entered a wood and followed a narrow path which wound its devious’ ways be- tween the trees. The secret agent followed, not oyerpleased with his work. | Joshua reached a fallen tree, whose monster roots ‘had been torn up by a freak of the wind, and calmly sat down. Taking a brier-root pipe from his pocket, he filled it slowly, lighted: the weed, and smoked away as composedly as though he had not a care or anxiety in the world. _ His thoughts he kept to himself, and evidently they did not disturb him, for. gradually. the fumes of the narcotic took effect, and drowsiness overpowered him. He looked at his timepiece, and, being perfectly satisfied eee hiinself, ‘stretched his ee on the aoe and went to ep. * @ iaucht perhaps. Varies was shamming, and so it you not be safe to approach. | He sat and watched and waited thirty—forty—ffty n min , and still Vernon did not move. It was getting very otonous, and, what was worse, the detective was sleepy. » walked about a little, but was afraid the noise might the sleeper. a he sat down again, and soon. he, too, ‘felt drowsy, | h but little resistance, fell asleep. sleeping detective is not of much use, and so fae Par one was to. Boe out. : nate one fad Beet near them was a “mystery; hab, | Joshua Vernon nor the man who was employed to ae showed the least ens of ee conscious- de had ae Sieh ae Vacnbd who had rolled over on his face and was snoring with quite as deep a Sremindity nough he had been sleeping on his back. a ead softly; he sleeps,” whispered dnother. . 6. A third began singing, in a low voice, the lullaby : “Steep, Baby, Sleep,” but still Vernon did not wake. wards, a brother of Cynthia Edwards, a young girl whom lero liked better than any - other girl he ane con- ed a most wicked plot. : Passing the local printing-office, tie fied seen the wind il _ Vernon. AS for the detective, he 1 was in a state of nervous wretch- | - Harry Ed-’ “No: IT tetlior success is ; the word, or hed have been back before this.” , ae eee “How can it fail?” oadieed a third. ae is a | wary bird, and he knews how to work the ropes. ae | AT very true; but there is an old saying which * run ‘The best-laid plans Oo’ mice an’ .men——’” — “Shut up! Who wants your proverbs ?” ee. It was.an inelegant way of speaking, but. very empl The four men bore signs of having lived hard lives, and yet each started out with every promise of a bright future. Two of them were graduates of Harvard, one called Yale his alma mater, while the other, though never ee through a college course, was an educated man. But all four had wandered from the path of honor. Cards and gaming, drink and fast ne had complet hh wrecked them in mind and body. ~ | = In only one thing did they show any sense Hoe ‘hon r they had forever discarded’ their family names, and as- sumed others which would completely separate them from -the four families mourning their downfall. These men—companions in disgrace—waited for Jos They were getting impatient and rather irritable. es But the longest wait ends some time, and Joshua was seen approaching. © | j a He was warm, for he had walked quickly, and he - € his ae with his handkerchief as he peat his compa ns. “What luck} ae Tas at all tipntes 22s i as “Don't talk so loud; we used to say “that hedges had ears.’ “Great Scott!” “The deuce!” NERA oe es “Where have you been! a ; year “Murder! Great Jupiter, who has been with you! ae Joshua listened to the frantic utterances, and was mor ~~ bewildered than ever he had been. ' “Are you all mad, or drunk?” he asked. st is your’ ies Whee have you han Pee. al TO Glen William, of course. “But—— “But | what? eck: you Otadist or, by thunder! TI adrift from you!” | : Joshua was angry. | oe One of the four aan the eal cee pre the te c of Joshua’s coat, and fixed it to one of the trees. oe ; ~““Who put that on Your pack?” =. | As Joshua looked at it, all the blood forsook ‘tae f “his limbs trembled, and all thought he was going to fain His eyes were fixed on the printed document, and e letter seemed to burn into his soul. : ’For before him, in bright-red letters, which ‘seemed ° Where did you think re ischief with, some small posters which were printed. he of blood, he ‘Tead: fe . ry pene one, and had it in ae hand when he and his. : em his finger to bis lips, to betoken silence. Hatry s | ed the poster on the man’s back. The others had dif- Ity in ‘Saag from an es of laughter, ‘so all ampered- away. Joshua turned over, and a eo and unruly bee alighted S nose, causing him a certain amount of pain, and ; tually rousing him from his sleep. He sprang to his. feet, Jooked at his watch, and ex 1? # Jove! Tve ‘beets tice! | out half a mile from the place where Joshua had peen four men were engaged in conversation. i ident that’ ae troubled them. euponoeat’ 5 79800: Reward!” Which ‘startling words preceded a scantpiien of hes 7 ing of the body of Vernon Craig, and the. announcem that the aboye reward would be paid to any one who s . give such information as woul lead to the convictior the assassin. _ ; Had Lawyer Aebeaed or Veriha: Craig seen Joshua. -non’s face, as he gazed on the proclamation, no‘doubt wot have existed. as to his guilt, The detective did not see it. He was Sicoping: mandy when Joshua left his res ting eS oe Touee