Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY [ARTICLE]

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

Author of “An Artist Ta Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidence,” “A Modern Wizard,” “Final Proof,” Etc. Copyright, 1896, by G. P. Putnam's Sons. AU rights reserved.

“Oh, pardon me! It was understood that I should not insist upon going any further than you chose. You need not answer If you prefer not.” “No. I can understand that it would interest you to hear my opinion, and I will give It. This will leaves half of the fortune to charity. By its suppression the son inherits all. Now, let us Imagine that an enterprising crook, with a long head, conceives the plan of stealing the will and of killing Mr. Mora, so that the will should acquire Immediate value. Can’t you see now how that document might be useful to the thief?” “I would prefer not to guess, but to have you tell me.” "Very-good. Young Mora inherits. Then the crook turns up some fine night with a copy of the will which he might claim to have found in an ash barrel. He might ask what Mr. Mora would give for the continued suppression of the will—how much per year, let us say. Would it not be fair, in exchange for the nine millions, for the heir to pay over to the crook at least the annual interest? At even 1 per cent that would be $90,000. Don’t you think that a document which would yield that sum per year would be worth the stealing?” “By heavens, you are right! But It would require a man of brains and courage to concoct and carry out such a scheme.” “There are several such men on this boat.” “You mean that the murderer of Mr. Mora may be on this boat?” “He may be, of course. Stranger things have happened, one of which is your own presence here, as well as that of the man who promised to help you if you should need aid.” “Ah! You heard that?” “I did.” “Then perhaps you recognized the man?” “I did.” “Who was he?” “I think youjpust excuse my not answering you this time. I prefer to let you discover for yourself. I never spoil sport.” “Oh, very well! As you will! And now, since you have been so kind as to discuss one crime with me, there is another in which I am even more deeply Interested. Perhaps you might express your views upon that.” “Again I say it depends upon what crime it is and how much 1 may know.” “I am alluding to the child who was found in the graveyard.” s. “Yes. What of that?” believe that 1 have obtained a will unravel that mystery. I think I shall soon know who the child’s mother is, though it was not she who placed the'infant in the cemetery.” “You are sure of that?” “Yes. It was a man and probably

the father. Sow I would like to ask ypu’*—‘ “You must excuse me. I prefer not to discuss it. In fact, I have talked with you too much already. Good night.” With this abrupt speech Preacher Jim suddenly left the room. Mr. Mitchel looked after him a moment, with a smile of satisfaction, and then went on deck whistling softly. CHAPTER VII. THE PLAID SUIT OF CLOTHES. Mr. Mitchel reached his home that night in safety, his presence on the boat having apparently escaped the notice of any of the crooks. On the following morning, precisely at the hour appointed, Mr. Barnes was announced and ushered In. “Ah! Good morning, Mr. Barnes,” said Mr. Mitchel. “1 hope you have not overworked yourself on this case of yours. Feeling well this morning?” “Quite I thank you,” was the rejoinder? “W T hy do you ask?” “Oh, I did not know but that you had been up all night watching somebody. Mr. Barnes, I have often admired the patience of detectives when 1 have read of one of them sitting all night watching jg<Wfway through which he had criminal pass. The fact that 4me criminal seldom comes out again does not seem to deter him at all. He watches on and hopes for the best. Some day a criminal may come back and be caught. Who knows? That sort of thing always makes me think of our cat. Remus is his name, and he is truly a wonderful fellow in many ways, only he has that Inevitable failing of his kind—he must watch something. I suppose he feels it a sort of duty in repayment for his food and lodging. The first night on which he came to us he caught a mouse, and while he was playing with it the little creature escaped and ran into, my wife’s slipper, from w’hich hiding place Master Remus soon dislodged him. But do you know whenever that cat sees that slipper lying about he sits down and watches it! It is really very amusing. Come up some night when my wife is at home, and I will have Remus go through his performance for you. It might prove a useful object lesson.” “I have listened patiently to your chaffing, Mr. Mitchel,” said Mr. Barnes, with becoming dignity, “and I should be pleased to have you tell me why you have spoken thus. What have I done to deserve it?” “You had me spied upon,” answered Mr. Mitchel sharply. “You are mistaken,” said Mr. Barnes quietly. “Do you mean to deny that one of your men followed me about yesterday?” “No, but it was not at my instigation.” “Then why was it done?” “He knew you, and, seeing you in the company of one of the sWewdest bunko men in town, he thought it best to keep you both in sight.” “Dear me! So your man thought that Leroy Mitchel is not capable oi protecting himself in New York city! We will let that pass then. But now tell me why you followed me personally last night.” “How do you know tha£ I did?” “That is not answering my question.”

“Well, Mr. Mitchel, while I certainly think you capable of taking care of yourself, from what my man told me I concluded that you mteant to accompany Slippery Sam on last night’s excursion. Not having the same confidence in that person which you seemed to have, I thought that as your friend it was my duty to be on hand in case of trouble. But I was not spying upon you.” “So you even went so far as to disguise yourself as a waiter and serve beer to a lot of crooks, just to be near me? lam truly indebted to you. But Ido not admire this masquerading. It is too theatrical. It savors too much of the dime novel detective. And I’ suppose, of course, you had to bribe one of the regular waiters, who allowed you to take his place, eh?” “Not exactly,” said Mr. Barnes hesitatingly, somewhat abashed by the criticism upon his methods; “but, Mr. Mitchel, we cannot always choose. I have known pf the uses to which this boat has been put all summer, and I realized that it would be wise and might become of extreme importance to me to have it in my power to be on board at any time. I therefore arranged matters with the head waiter and have played waiter on that boat so often that now my presence attracts no suspicion.” “That is just the conceit common to all of your profession. Your disguises are never penetrated. You are like the ostrich with his head in the sand, invisible—in your own mind. Now, the fact is your identity was very well known on the boat last night.” “Indeed! How do you know that?” “The lecturer of the evening was talking to me about you. He considers you rather clever, but expressed his surprise that youjahould stoop to such antiquated methods as the employment of spies. He says that if he were in your place he would use his brains instead.” __