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Full Title
Chicago Ledger, v. XLI, no. 40, Saturday, October 4, 1913.
Contributor
Miller, Warne, M. D.
Date Added
3 September 2014
Format
Newspaper
Language
English
Publish Date
1913-10-04
Publisher
Chicago, Ill. : W. D. Boyce Company
Source
Dime Novel and Popular Literature
Alternate Title
Detective Crawley's Nerve; or, Playing a Trump Card / by Warne Miller, M. D. Playing a Trump Card.
Topic
Popular literature > Specimens. Story papers > Specimens.
About
More Details Permanent Link
Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
i.
2
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l
-terrible deed himself did
’d-gfcssal
were engaged. And he was trying his
h
the old Gen-
Say not a word of this
to a living soul! or you may be doing a
grave injustice to an exceedingly bright
youn man, who is devoting his early
years to study and work. while most of
his class are trying: to diminish the
visible supply of strong nk.”
"You are rig I deserve every-.
thing you can say of me. Only, I swear
,to you. if I'm lucky enough to crawl out’
of this nightmare pit, it's back to the‘
straight and narrow way for Rudolph."
“ e , I am through my breakfast. and
you need some sleep. Suppose. after all.
you stay here for the present.
be looking for you, knowing that you
were with Allan last night; and if you
were met on the streets, some ofncious
plain-clothes man might think it hlis duty
p 8 3.
to
‘<
that I was as safe as in a fort.
Philip appeared in the doorway.
doubt he had been signaled in some
fashion, unseen by the visitor. For that
matter. Crawley may even, with his foot.
have pressed a button in the floor.
"Ph , show my young friend. Mr.
Van Vllinkle. to a room upstairs.
going to stop w h us for a short time.
and is in need of rest. The blue room,
accompanied the discreet
man-servant out of the little den of the
great detective.
He would doubtless have spoken his
thanks once more, only that he saw the
forefinger of Crawley pressed on his lips.
and
tectlvc sat- there without moving for
some time. Undoubtedly he was seriously
thinking, rallying all the signillcant facts
connected wit this remarkable case be-
fore him, and then discarding those that
his wise judgment pronounced useless.
Finally heksat up, and took something
out of his pocket, at which he looked
long and earnestly.
To Van Winkle the bit of polished steel
would have represented nothing on earth.
Had he been asked what it Was. he might
re of guesses. and then
been wide of the truth. But it would
clever little tool used to pick locks, and
carried by nearly every burglar and
sneak-thief at large. And Just then Jim
Crawley was Wondering whether the fact
that he had found this stray tool, much
n vogue among the criminal classes.
within three feet of the dead form of
Allan Thorndkye could have any possible
bearing on the solution of the tragedy.
Picking up a magnifying glass from a
nearby desk. he proceeded to examine the
bit of steel closer range. lie was
looking for s. telltale mark that would
give him 3. clew as to the former owner
of the pick-lock. - .
Crawley had occasion to know that
worth considerable
money. really gems of art in their way:
and the owners were as jealous of let-'
ting any of their implements go out of
their possession as 8. man who pursued a
hobby could be of his prize curios. ' ,
‘ new that in many cases these
tools carried the distinguishing mark‘ 0
the owner. minutely scratched in some
obscure place. in order that he could
ir.‘.entlfy his own property should his out-
d
i not go without
He found three.tlny crosses that
ha been scratched upon the polished
surface of the pick-lock.
Crawley smiled. It was at least a
pleasure to ilnd his suspicion confirmed
in this way. even though he were no
nearer the solution of the puzzle than
before. He knew who the owner of the
lost tool was.
-"l'm not surprised. somehow I seemed
to expect it belonged to Slim Jim Carey.
a. mechanic. and that
he makes everything himself. This proves.
it. l've seen those three crosses before,
when we took him in. He escaped with a
light sentence then. and
large a. year or more.
is: What was sum Jim Carey doing
near where those two fools wrestled: and
did he see the murder?"
That the burglar might have done the
not seem
enter into the calculations of the sleuth
or a mo
robbery was attempted caused him to
dismiss this possibility.
But at least there remained the chance
that Slim Jim might now something
about it! Perhaps he had been hovering
around in hopes, it c ance to go
through the pockets of the two drunken
that case he could
one who crept up close
:2 L.) :1.
c.-uc; 0
sides. the police might be looking for
him on some old charge.
Presently the detective arose. Ile had
put the little steel clew awa in some
pocket. and was preparing to issue forth,
as though his mind had made up
with regard to his next work.
t was very seldom that accident had
anything to do with the carrying out of
ames Crowley's plans. As a rule. I
of his actions were the deliberate result
of his deductions; and he was in t a
habit of mounting upward steadily. Just
yet. when the opportunity presented it-
self. he was always ready to avail him-
self of the chance to pick up points.
On this occasion the opening came in a
most remarkable manner, so far as co-
incidence went. was passing a great
dry goods emporium on Broadway. when
e heard his name spoken in a W0man‘s
voice.
“Why, Mr. Crawley. to think of meet-
ing you Just now!" wa
to turn, and immediately feel a. thrill of
satisfaction: for the p was no
other than Doris Tremaine, daughter of
the old General, and the girl. who. be-
trothed to John Jenks. had. according to
Van Winkle, been iluttering in the daz-
;;a,Ii I‘: ,‘
L.E.DCEh
VVhether the offended lover could des-
ccntl to sue a dept as to wish for the
taking-off of his
that as yet did not demand an answer.
Crawley believed in crossing bridges
only when he come to them.
e accepted the little gloved hand of
Miss Tremaine with apparent pleasure.
“I am a very busy man.
of my friends.
have actually been thinking of calling at
your house. The
gratuiute you, if what I hear is true."
She blushed. as was natural. at his al-
sion to her engagement. But unless he
found himself mistaken. which was sel-
dom the case. there was a shade of an-
noyuncc. or something similar. in her
manner.
“l)o you know Mr. Jenks'!" she asked.
with sudden eagerness, he thought.
"Just to speak and nod to. when we
happen to meet." was his reply.
n while saying this it flashed
through his mind under what significant
circumstances the last meeting between
them took place-time about three on 8.
cold. cheerless morning-place, within 9.
block of where the body of poor Thorn-
Jlnd the brick that was
zling glow of handsome Allan Thorn-
dyke‘s attentional
A d apparently she was unusually glad
to see Crowley.
CHAPTER IV.
A STARTLXNG ANNOUNCEXIENT.
DETECTIVE CRAWLEY had an in-
spiration. As a. rule. in cases of this
kind. he yielded to such sudden impulses.
They nearly always brought results that
furthered his plan
Here was Miss Tremaine. According to
the light he had on the subject, Doris
would sooner or later prove‘ to be be
central ure around which revolved
those others fated to make up what. in
his mind. he had already called the
Thorndyke mystery. ‘
2 man who had been so strangely
killed, and the one whose presence in
that vicinity shortly after the diabolical
been committed were rivals for
John Jenks, rious-
minded young inventor, had apparently
the inside track; but, a
counts the dashing Thorndyke had been
making rapid progress recently.
then was a cause
There is no element more potent in the
Then
have a few minutes’ chat with the pretty
young‘ woman’! lie could in some man-
ner introduce the subject of ‘the two
young men. and possibly draw forth in-
formation that might afford him ll. valu-
able clew.
What if he learned.
foninstance, that
John and Doris h
covered with crimson.
dyke lay welterlng in gorel
She glanced around her with sparkling
eyes: and this man who wa
tom
Doubtless this
unexpected encounter w
whom she knew as a detective. and whom
her sage father trusted so impllcity. had
given her what might also be called an
inspiration.
Crowley smiled.
no be compelled to put his own idea
into force. because Doris was about to
forestall hlmi
“Mr. Crowley. would you think it
strange if I asked for a few minutes of
your time? I am in trouble. and was Just
puzzling my poor hes to. where I
might find an adviser: when lo and be-
hold. you appeared, it seems to me. as
thouch in answer to my prayer."
"Why. with the greatest pleasure in
the world, Miss Doris. Where shall we
talk?"
After all ‘he might
car is just around the corner.
as say." she suggested, her eyes
sparkling. .
“A clever idea, indeed. Allow me to
escort you to it, then. lilies Doris."
During the few minutes that it took
them to thread their way among the
crowds thronglng the streets. and arrive
nt the spot where the elegant car of the
wealthy General stood. the detective rc-
volverl many things in that active brain
of his. Fortune was working overtime to
enough to crash that brick down on the about the attention: of Thorndyke? Thnt aid him in his hunt for a clew. it seemed.
head of the unfortunntc Thorndyko.
Like most of his class. Slim Jim had I
possess terrible slgnlncance just
now. If John was engaged to this bright
even to wsylnying him on the arteries of
travel. - ' .
dislike for becoming: mlxedmp in a mnrftgiri. hogwould naturally object to her rea .-“What could be troubling this beautiful
his reputation would hardly-
nammar "hisvturnlng"witn‘es,s;‘ nnti'be-‘ 1beau.. ..-4. u. 1.; );;.x. .. 1;‘
... -... ..y. ......... ,
celving attentions, from' th handsome’
rlrr:
society gun: nsppnrently she had every.
thing hosrtcouldvwish-beauty, health.
wealth. and II. lover whose nam was
certain presently to be nt-claimed as that
of a. genus. Still, she was unhappy. lie
could see that in the serious expression
which settled down upon her face as
they walked together.
it would be impossible to guess what
she wanted to consult him about, for the
field was an unlimited one. All Crawley
could make sure of was that in some
way it must concern her relations with
those two aspirants for her hand. Jenks
and Thorndyke
Could she have any intimation that
trouble had come? lla some enterpris-
ing paper printed an extra to record the
finding of Thorndkye's body: and could a.
copy have reached her hand?
He knew that was utterly out of the
question. short time the news
would be flashed broadcast, and become
the talk of the clubs: but not yet. I13
would certainly have known i .
r reason it must have
been withheld from the searching eyes of
the police reporters who make early calls
at the various stations to secure accounts
of all arrests during: lhepreceding night.
"There it is!" said Doris. pointing.
. am
through shopping’ at this point," remark-
e h, . us she allowed her compan-
ion io asslsg her into the car.
Shamus was discreet chauffeur. as
as an experienced one. lie ' mply
sat there like it mummy, and awaited the
pleasure of the dnlnty little lady whom
he adored as his mistress.
The roar of liromlway was not quite
so tremendous at this point: still from
front and rear came
rumble to deadcn sounds to a
tent.
the door carefully. rawiey
turned toward his fair companion. with
a smile of curiosity on his face.
“That is it plain invitation for me to
explain." she observed. half laugbingly.
‘ am ready to listen attentively. and
if I can be of any assistance. believe me.
you have only to ask, Miss Doris," he
replied.
“I was disappointed when you said that
you only knew Mr. Jenks to speak to.“
she began.
“Yes."
“Because my father says that of all the
men he ever mot. none can compare with
Mr. Crawley in judging people and read-
in;-: character."
“I ought to thank the General for that
you what I thought of your-Mr. Jenks
I mean."
"Please underslzind in the start that he
ip my lover, and that we have been an-
gaged for some time. I think our af-
quIleInn‘“rn.]4 It is often the
case. I assure you. In tlm you will
know him better. I have heard only the
best of things about him."
! .1 was provoked. naturally; but Mr.
Crowley, that was not the worst."
e had her hands on his sleeve now.
and her starry eyes. in which traces of
tears of mortiilcatlon gleamed looked
into his own orbs. -
“When was this dreadful neglect per-
petrated?" he asked. as though amused.
"I it it may appear a tri
Mr. Crowley;
this morning when
"This morning, you say’! Do you mun
that it was last night he failed to Eppear
at your house?‘
"Yes. and we had B very particular en- N
gagement. too.
But the detective was conscious of a
sudden cold chill in the repzion of hI3
heart. as if an Icy hand had been laid
tber ’
possessed a dreadful signihcimce in con.
nection with the facts that he already
knew‘
The continuation of this highly inter.
esting story will be found in the Ledger
have your name on our
list. The Ledger is only 31.00 per year,
7.7.’.
- Damaged By the Storm. .
Stranger-"Dill the late storm do much
damage in this section?" >
Farmer Meadow-“Did it? I should
It rained so hard that my
ross p Roads‘ store
‘an’ bought seven umbrellas an‘ h2d..'.em
' ". xv‘ .
charled to me." -- .. 41 Y.”