Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 251, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1911 — Page 3

The Tell-Tale Glove AN ADVENTURE OF PETER CREWE—“THE MAN WITH THE CAMERA EYES”

By HAROLD CARTER

(Copyrlgbt,l9U,by W. G. Chapman, In the United States and Great Britain

The arrival in New York of Sir Moresby Blount was widely chronicled in the newspapers. Sir Moresby was a self-made Englishman, who, starting in life in the humble capacity of an Itinerant vegetable vendor, ha& , become, first a merchant prince, then a company promoter, finally a millionaire, having a mansion in Park Lane and interests in a dozen ventures all over the globe. Thousands of poor investors blessed him when his companies declared their annual dividends of twelve and fifteen per cent. In his coronation year the late king had knighted him. And now, immensely prosperous, pompous and self-sufficient, Sir Moresby had come to America “to hinterest meself in the development of your magnificent but unprogressive west,” as he phrased it to the reporters who met him when the ship docked in New York harbor. Mining ventures were the cause of Sir Moresby’s visit to America. He purposed to develop “all the mineral resources of Harizona, including bismuth, copper, and hantimony.” If Sir Moresby’s h’s were a trifle superfluous, his pocketbook was evidently in the right place. He was condescendingly affable to his. visitors, and, after registering at the New Hague hotel, announced his intention of “doing” the town alone, in order to rediscover America. His little, rat-like English secretary, who had accompanied him, afterward conducted the reporters to the magnificent offices in a Fifth avenue building, which had just been opened to accommodate the American branch of Sir Moresby’s business, and where two dozen recently employed clerks were busily opening letters -and filing applications for shares along the sides of the new mahogany table. It was with astonishment, therefore, that, on opening my morning paper on the day after the millionaire’s arrival, I saw, in great, black headlines, the announcement of his death. He had gone out alone, to “rediscover America” on the preceding evening, and; when he did not return shortly before midnight, his secretary became alarmed and telephoned the police. Within two hours his body was brought into the morgue, dripping wet from the cold waters of the “East river. The skull was fractured anil the face beaten almost out of all recognition; but the clothes identified the man beyond all doubt. Sir Moresby had evidently been struck down from behind while prowling in the unsavory purlieus of the East side, robbed of money, watch and chain and jewelry, and flung into the stream, which washed him ashore opportunely in the vicinity of the police patrol station. ■jHardly had I laid down the paper when there came a ring at my telephone. I took the receiver off the hook and heard the agitated voice of the general manager of the Salamander Life Insurance company, for which I acted as lawyer. "Langton,’’ he called, “have you seen the account of the murder of Sir Moresby Blount?” ’ I “Yes," I called back. “What of it?” ! “What of it? My God, Langton, he Insured last month with our English branch for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” | Ten minutes later the manager was In my office and urging me to look into the matter. There might be some mistake, he said. It might be suicide, in which case the policy would be invalidated. There might be some flaw in the policy, or the premiums might have lapsed. They had cabled to their English branch; meanwhile would I proceed to the New Hague hotel and see the dead man’s secretary? I summoned Peter Crewe over the telephone. If there were any mystery, Crewe could clear it up. With 'tils wonderful optical powers, which had already helped me in solving many a mystery, I knew that I could have chosen no better confidant. I met him by appointment at the door of his hotel. Crewe, however, was not disposed to see any prospect of helping the company. “It looks like a clear case of murder, Langton,” he said, “and between you and me I do not want to help them evade their responsibilities.” “But you’ll come with me?” I urged. ,! “Gladly,” said Crewe. “And If there is any legitimate way in which I can serve your Interests you may count on Me.’’ At the entrance to the New Hague hotel we ran into the little secretary, Randall, whom I recognized from his photograph, which had been publish *d in the newspapers. I had expected that he would not be over-zealous in assist Ing me, but to my surprise he placed himself at my service in the most cordial manner. “I have to go back to the morgue,” he said, "and you bad better come along with me. There is, lam sorry to say, no doubt but that the body is that of Sir Moresby. Even if I could not swear to the features—which I am prepared to—the clothes would prove the Identity beyond all possibility of doubt” vj J It was no pleasant sight to see the millionaire, lately so self-sufficient, now compressed into that “narrow measure ota n ." Crewe. standing beside met

looked hard upon the battered features. Then, reverently, but with a certain incongruity of action which surprised me, even at the time, he took one of the dead man’s hands in his, turned it palm upward, and passed his own hands lightly and caressingly across it “You are. satisfied as to the identity, Mr. Langton?" asked Randall, the secretary. “I see no reason to doubt it,” I answered. “I can assure you that the Salamander Life Insurance company is not likely to withhold payment upon the ground that proof of death is missing. The evidence of identity appears conclusive, and after the compliance with a few formalities the money will be turned over to the executors. And now, If your lawyer is at hand, I should like to go through the form of inspecting the dead man’s

“Of course, of course,” said Randall, a little nervously, as I thought. “We can do no more good here; let us return to the New Hague hotel.” My purpose was merely to discover whether the dead man had paid his premiums regularly; the remainder of his affairs did not concern me. I found the insurance papers in good order, and that the policy had been made out “to estate.” Randall, as the executor, would, therefore, receive the $250,000. “Did Sir Moresby have a photograph?” asked Crewe, as we sat in the millionaire’s rooms and looked through his belongings. “He did not bring any to this country,” said Randall. “But, of course, there are the newspaper snapshots,” he added, “if you want one." While we talked I perceived that Crewe was wandering, a little restlessly, around the room. Once or twice he halted and seemed to be inspecting some of the personal belongings of Sir Moresby closely. Upon a small table lay an old pair of gloves of thin kid, and unlined. What was my astonishment to see Crewe slip one of these into his pocket while Randall’s back was turned. There seemed no more to be deme. I went away and reported to the general manager of the Salamander that payment ought to be made, subject to the two weeks of delay that the policy provided for. There seemed to be no mystery in the case at all. t I was therefore’ considerably surprised when Crewe telephoned me that afternoon to come over at once, but first to telephone the Salamander people to postpone payment for a couple of weeks. As this was to be done in any event I did not find it necessary to take up the subject with the general manager again, but went -straight to Crewe’s apartments, which were situated in a modest block upon Twentysecond street. I found him at the door, his hands dripping with purple dye. “What on earth have you been doing?” I asked. • Then I perceived that a great bowl of the dye stood in the center of his table, in which floated. Sir Moresby’s glove, turned inside out gnd of an intense purple hue. “Langton,” he said, “we must have Randall watched ceaselessly until the moment of his departure for Arizona.”

“How do you know he is going th Arizona?” I asked. “Because Sir Moresby cannot go now,” said Crewe; —the jest appeared a little otit of place to me. “Can you have your company make out a check to him for the full amount and immediately telephone to the bank suspending payment?” , 'lt could be done,” I said. “But unless there were urgent reason for such a course of action It would lead to most unpleasant complications.” “Nevertheless it is the only way," said Crewe. “Randall will loaf around New York until he gets the money. He won’t disclose his hand until the ultimate moment All our detective work must be done in the interval between the reception of the check and the presentation of it for payment. He will not wait an unnecessary moment after the check has been received." “Do you mean to suggest that he murdered Sir Moresby for the insurance?” I queried. “In a way—yes,” said Crewe. "We must have detectives upon his .trail every moment henceforward.” “The police—” “Emphatically not,” said Crewe. “A private agency, who will not be tempted to play up the sensational possibilities and will know enough to keep their mouths shut It is essential that Randall shall suspect, nothing. And I think that, on the day of payment, ve shall arrest the gang of conspirators." That was all I could get him to ~K~ That same evening a couple of detectives were placed upon Randall’s trail, with Instructions to shadow him wherever he went. Meanwhile I arranged with the Salamander company to pay the check upon the fourteenth day, and Immediately suspend payment "He will not get into touch with hla confederates until the check has been actually received,” said Crewe. "Nevertheless, if there is anything to be learned, it will be as well to have him shadowed.” . . But as we expected, nothing came of the shadowing. Randall attended the funeral of the dead man on the third day afterward, attired in deepest black

and wearing an air of intense dejection. He gave up his apartments at tile New Hague hotel and took cheaper lodging further up-town. Promptly every day at eleven he entered the gorgeous new suite of offices, where the clerks worked at the mahogany tablas. The death of the millionaire had apparently not affected public confidence in the Arizona development scheme, for advertisements in heavy, type continued to appear in the newspapers gnd subscriptions flowed in. Upon the fourteenth day it was my duty to appear at the offices in person with the check for the Insurance money, which I duly paid over to Randall. There was a furtive look in his eyes when he received It. Signing the receipt, he ushered me out of the place with affected bonhomie; then, turning as I waited for the elevator, I saw him catch his overcoat nervously from the hook on which it hung,' and I knew, by sortie instinctive process of thought, that it was his intention never again to enter the sumptuous offices. A sudden conviction came over me that the whole affair was a gigantic fraud; that the Salamander had been victimised by a set of unscrupulous swindlers who had not hesitated at murder to achieve their ends; Randall, the head and front of the conspiracy, was yet Only a pliant tool in their hands. By prearrangement Crewe was to have been waiting for me at the foot of the elevator. It was a large building, containing some dozen floors, .all packed with offices; beneath, three telephone girls were busy at their boards, while a number of small telephone

booths accommodated those who wished to communicate with other parts of the town. In place of Crewe I found awaiting me an inspector of the telephone company, wearing the distinctive hat of his office. I gazed at him; something about his appearance seemed familiar; suddenly I perceived that this was Crewe, but he had shaved off his mustache and his whole facial appearance seemed to be changed. He saw my recognition of him and gavo me the slightest look of warning. Crewe advanced toward the telephone boards and planted himself between two .of the girls. “You have a call from 867 Sixth avenue,” he said. This was Randall’s office number. “For 8214 Harlem,” one of the girls responded. “Get me the street and number immediately," said Crewe.. “Get into the booth,” he continued to me in a whisper. I had hardly slipped into the booth nearest me before I saw Randall step out of the elevator and, after glancing secretively around in order to make sure that he was not followed, hurry out into the street Tm trying to g°t Central, sir," said the girl to Crewe. “Hurry them up,” said Crewe. A moment later Central responded. • “The number is 246 Willcox avenue,” said the girl. Without a word Crewe hurried into the street, where I joined him. He hailed a taxicab and we leaped in. Crewe gave the address that the girl had mentioned. "Now, Langton," he said, as we leaned back, “the question is whether Randall will present that check for

payment first or whether, as is, more probable, he will go straight to his confederates. Undoubtedly all their plans afe laid for a quick get-away. If he should go first to the bank we shall still be in time to apprehend the others, and undoubtedly we can summon Randall to meet us by extracting from them the password, or whatever sign they have agreed upon.” He called to the driver to make more speed and we drove through the slush, sending it flying in a muddy cloud on either side of us. Soon we had left the business section behind us and were speeding up Lexington avenue. The park appeared; we passed it and approached the Harlem district “You are armed?” I asked. t Crewe shook his head. “It will not be necessary,” he answered. "When t spoke of confederates, Langton, I should have used the singular. As a matter of fact, Randall has only one confederate, an .elderly man, and somewhat infirm. The shock of our appearance will be sufficient to disarm the pair of them.” At last we turned into Willcox avenue. No. 246 was a small tobaccoist’s shop, with a pool room at the back, in which a number of ill-favored persons were playing upon a halfdozen dirty tables. Crewe looked around him in some dismay. “He’s trickier than I thought” he said. “This place is only a way-sta-tion.” “Want a game, gentlemen?” asked the proprietor, coming forward with an ill-smelling cigar between his lips. “I want a, word with you,” said

Crewe, pulling him to one side. He looked through into the pool room; all the players were engaged and. it seemed unlikely that we would be disturbed for a few minutes at least. Crewe took the fellow by the lapel of the coat “Did you convey that message to the old gentleman?” he asked. The fellow started, but instantly regained his composure. , “What old gentleman?” he asked. “None of that,” said Crewe. “Things have gone wrong. Our friend cannot be here. Is everything packed?” The man hesitated and looked around shiftily. “I can’t talk to you until Mr. Somers arrives,” he. said. "Mr. Somers will not arrive,” cried Crewe in exasperation. “Do you want to queer the whole game? Will you give him a telephone message from me?" “What is it?” demanded the fellow, sourly. “Tell him to take a taxi and meet us at the Grand Central, in the smoking room. Mr. Somers will be there. Stop! I must use your telephone a momeht” He went to the instrument and made as if to take down the receiver; then checked himself. “See here. Mister,” said the fellow, "I don’t know you and I’ve got my orders strict Now, if I send your message, will you step outside the store so that you won’t overhear the number?" “That sounds good enough,” said Crewe. He took me by the arm and we went out of the shop, the proprietor watching us suspiciously until we had stepped across the threshold. "Now. Langton,” said Crewe, "he will undoubtedly call up the confederate, if

only to voice snspicfon of us. Quick! Inhere.” ~ ' He thrust me into a store three numbers away, outside which was the sign, “Local and Long Distance Telephone.” He hurried to the Instrument and took down the receiver. “Hello! Hello!” he called. “This Is for police headquarters. A call has just been taken from 8214 Harlem. I want the number.” , He waited one moment until the answer came, then seized me by the arm. “We shall be just in time,” he said. “It Is a furnished room house on One Hundred and Fifty-third street.” It was only twelve blocks distant and a short turn around the block. We were panting and breathless when we arrived at a dingy house, with a sign, "Furnished Rooms,” in a dirty window behind which bloomed a faded rubber plant “Have you any rooms?” asked Crewe. “My friend and I are transients; we want a good-sized apartment for a few days. The cost will not be material.” The woman wiped her hands upon a dirty apron and looked at us suspiciously. “I’ll have the front parlor on the second floor vacant this afterneon,” she said. “If you’d step up maybe the gentleman ’would let you see it” She turned and we prepared* to follow her, when suddenly a taxicab stopped in front of the house and a man dashed but at full speed and was up the stairs with a bound. He was breathing heavily and'his face was ashen gray as he espied us. We recog-

nlzed him immediately, in spite of a pair of heavy spectacles and a newly shaven upper lip. It was Randall, the English secretary. “Don’t let them in,” he shrieked, and precipitated himself upon us with such fury that we all three fell to the floor while the landlady screamed and waved her arms over us In a strange sort of benediction. “It's no use, Randall,” said Crewe. “The game’s up. Better come upstairs quietly.” “Take that, curse you,” screamed the secretary,'and snapped a revolver in his face. By some miracle the ball failed to reach its destination; It bur* ied Itself in the woodwork of the door. Next moment we had disarmed and trussed the man. He confronted us malignantly, his face like putty, the breath hooting from between his lips. “Come, Rand' *,” said Crewe quietly, "It might be far worse than it is, you know. It might be murder.” “I wish to God It were,” snapped the Englishman, vindictively. "Now suppose you go ahead and we will follow you,” said Crewe, pressing the revolver Into the small of Randall’s back. "Now, madam, will you kindly give your lungs a-breathing space? It’s no use calling ‘police,’ for we represent the' central office.”, Randall sullenly proceeded up the stairs, we following. At the top of the first flight he stopped In front of the parlor. “Silly old fool. I told him to keep his eyes peeled,” he muttered. “Walk in, gentlemen,” he continued, standing aside. “After you,” said Crewe, pushing him Into the room. We followed Into a plainly furnished apartment, contaln-

Ing a large bed, three <Aa!rs kM. « writing table. Several pieces of Staff* llsh were upon tlte packed ready for departure*, and seated at the window, looking toward us with a heavy face of mingled fear and doubt, was an elderly gentleman whose ex* presston seemed familiar to me, though 1 could not recall where I had seen him before. Crewe stepped forward with a laugh and took the heavy face between his hands. Next moment he stepped back. In either hand was a false, blue-black whisker, which he had peeled from the skin. • ; ■ “Langton,” he said, mockingly, “allow me to present to you our esteemed friend, Sir Moresby Blount” The expression upon the financier’s face was comical to witness. AU his dignity had deserted him, and ha l«***ned back in 7 the chair, breathing stertoriously, apparently in acute and craven fear. “We nearly missed yon, Randan,** said Crewe, turning to the secretary. “Tell me one thing. Have you presented the check for payment?” “No,” Randall growled. “That was to have been the last thing done.” “I thought so,” answered Crewe. “Payment has been stopped. Yon would have been arrested at the bank. We had you either way.” “WeU what are you going to dot* asked Randall, biting his Ups nervously. The answer was suppUed by the unceremonious bursting open of the door. A couple of policemen stood upon the threshold and, behind them, peering over their shoulders alternately, was the face of the landlady. “I think we can fight the matter out at the police station," Crewe answered. The trial of Blount and Randall was, of course, one of the ctuses celebres of the year. Having recovered the amount of its insurance the Salamander company decided not to put itself to the expense of a prosecution, since in any event the first claim upon the prisoners would have been that of the federal government The Arizona de* velopment scheme proved to be a gigantic swindle. Blount was placed upon trial and sentenced to serve seven years in the federal prison at Atlanta, Ga.,' while Randall, his tool, escaped with a sentence of three yean. It was disclosed at the trial that Blount had been Implicated in a similar series of shady transactions In England. The crash of the Arizona scheme was followed by the collapse of seven of his banks in London and the provinces. If the English government presses for his extradltion-when he is set free by the American government, doubtless a further sentence win befall him. It appears that, rendered desperate by the impending crash of his fortunes, Blount had conceived the desperate scheme of feigning death, in order’to obtain the insurance money and start life anew in some other coiner ot the globe. The plan had been laid skilfully; the journey to America, where there was none to Identify him positively, was a plot of genius. By arrangement a body had been removed from an undertaker’s, mutilated and dressed in the financier’s clothes, while he went into hiding until the Salamander company should pay the insurance. “But what gaveyou the idea that hie was alive?” I asked of Crewe. “How could you discover that the body wan not that of Sir Moresby, when the features were mutilated?" Crewe smiled. “It is so simple that I really hate to give the trick away; - he said. "Perhaps you recollect the stained glove in my apartment?” “Yes, and I wondered what on earth your object could be In dyeing it purple.” ‘The purple was a simple coal tar dye, used extensively for hardening and bringing out the salient forms of microscopic subjects,” Crewe answered. “I knew the moment I had ft in my hands that the body at the morgue could not be Sir Moresby’s. The ridges on the thumbs and fingers were what are technically known as ‘whorls.’ The ridges on Sir fingers, on the other hand, were elliptical. They had been well imprinted into the soft kid and It was necessary only to turn the glove inside out and dye it in order to bring them out tn marked detail."

A Shave In China.

The greatest treat, which I only gtvs on special occasions, Is a midday shave in public! In the early morning a Chinese inn is very dark, and at night bed soon claims one. I select a table at the street front (the whole front fa formed of movable doors, which are entirely taken away during the day), and, provided with the necessaries, commence operations. Fifty or sixtypeople stand around in ranks, the innermost circles consisting of children and the outer rings of men, and mothers with their babies. Not a word is uttered, all eyes are fixed on the shaving brush as the soap is lathered on the face, and then on the razor as the stubble falls. The Chinese never shave themselves, and possibly to see a man handling a razor on himself may suggest that he Is about to commit “harakiri” in their village.—Dr. Louis Byrde in Sunday at Home. .... ... . •

Looking for tho Best

Do not think of your faults, still lea* of others* faults; In every person who comes near to you, look for what to good and strong; honor that, rejoice tn it, and, as you can, try to Imitate it For the rest you will find it less easy to uproot faults than to choke them by gaining virtues. IL on looking back; your whole life should seem rugged as a palm-tree stem, still, never mind, so loqg as it has been growing, and has Its grand green shade of leaves and weight of honeyed fruit attop.—J. Rue- . Irin