Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1901 — THE CRIME Of THE CENTURY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CRIME Of THE CENTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

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

CHAPTER VIII. MS. BARNES AT WORK. When young Mora left the room so suddenly, Mr. Barnes, before asking for Mt. Mitchel’s opinion, had hurried to the window and had so placed himself behind the curtains tliat he commanded a view of the street, though himself well screened from vjew. This precaution was well taken, for he saw - Mora closely examine the window before jumping into his cab,'which awaited. As the vehicle was driven away he asked his question, but he continued to gaze into the street until in a few moments another cab turned the corner and went in the same direction as the first. By* this time Mr. Mitchel had replied, and Mr. Barnes found time to answer: “You wish to take a walk alone? That means you do not desire my companionship. Well, that is satisfactory, for I believe I can do what must be done now with more facility if I, too, am alone.” He- paused as thpuglj expecting Mr. Mitchel to speak, but that gentleman could not have been curious to know what the detective contemplated, for he remained silent. Mr. Barnes therefore at once took his leave. In the street he stood still a moment, looking after the two cabs, which were still in sight. He then walked rapidly in the opposite direction for a couple of blocks, when he turned and hurried to the nearest station of the elevated railroad. Twenty minutes later he was standing in the doorway nearly opposite to the Mora mansion. Here he waited so long That, patient detect-’ ive though he was, he began to be restive'and would come from his hiding place, gaze quickly up and down the street and then hurry back to his retreat between the inner and' outer doors. At last the sound of wheels satisfied him, and he slipped behind a door, being thus completely hidden, though through the crevice he could still observe the Mora dwelling. The cab drove up, and young Mora alighted. He paid his fare, and then he did a somewhat strange thing. He looked up and down the street until his cab had turned into the avenue and disappeared. Then he went up his stoop and hid behind the outer door of his own house, exactly as Mr. Barnes was hiding opposite. The detective wondered what this maneuver might, mean, but he soon discovered. Two or •''three minutes had elapsed when a iflan slowly passed who looked sharply into the Mora house. In- * stantly young Mora darted forth and seized him, at the same time touching ■ the electric button which summoned his butler. Mr. Barnes could make out by his gesticulation that the newcomer was protesting, but Mora held him firmly, giving some orders to his servant which sent that worthy hurrying down the street without waiting

to get a hat. A few minutes later the man returned with a policeman. Then there was apparently some argument, but eventually the officer went off, leading the man by the arm, despite his continued protests, while Mora looked after them with a smile. Mr. Barnes saw and comprehended all that had taken place. He smiled also. ‘'You may dispose of that man, my boy, but now you have Jack Barnes to deal with,” he mused. This is what had, occurred. When Mora left Me. Mitchel’s house, Mr. Barnes was satisfied that as he jumped into his cab he merely exclaimed “Home,” for he seemingly uttered but a single word. Mora being a man of wealth, the detective had rightly imagined that he would come to the house in a cab. To be prepared against all emergencies he had consequently stationed a cab within reasonable distance. the occupant of which was one of his spies. When he saw the second cab go by, therefore, he felt assured that, even though he might have made a mistake. Mora would be watched. On the supposition, however, that he was correct he had taken the elevated road, which had enabled him to get to the house ahead of the vehicles. That he had been compelled to wait so long argued that Mora must have stopped on the way, ami Mr. Barnes would have been very glad now for a fewwords with his spy, who was being led off by the policeman. It was evident that Mora had noticed the cab following him and had craftily , rid himself of the spy by having him arrested. That he could have any suspicion of the near presence of Mr. Barnes seemed highly improbable. Therefore the detective congratulated himself upon his success and had no fear that he .would be unable to keep his man in sight for the rest of the day. Young Mora then w-ent into his house, and very shortly after Mr. Barnes observed that the shutter of one of the windows of the parlor w-as slightly opened, just enough to enable any one within to peep out. “He’s devil,” growled the detective. “He has heard of the double spy method, feud, even though he ought to feel certain that there is no other spy had n.t»le a mistake in® mentioning the name Morton. Mr. Mitchel knew it. This explanation, however improbable, was one that it would be difficult to disprove, especially as Mora could readily w-arn his associates in the house and coach them to support his story. Mr. Barnes, however, did not entirely despair. “Then it from this house that you now think that your clothes were stolen ?” “I do not think so. I assert it.” “At last we get to something tangible. The suit w-as stolen from the house in Essex street. The murderer wore it to your home and after killing your father came out again in the same garb. So much we know. Now, what did he do with these blood stained garments?” “Ah, that is for the great detective, Mr. Barnes, to discover!” “My own idea would be that he would not destroy them,” said the detective, appearing not to notice the other’s sneering tones. “Shall I tell | you why?” “By all means.” “Because his wearing them at all must have been a part of his scheme.

“Come! No violence!” he exclaimed, grasping Mora's upraised arm. He wished others to think that you committed the deed. He would therefore prefer to have the things found.” “That is very probable.” “One good place to throw anything which one wishes to have found Is in the river. Therefore I fancy that the murderer might have thrown the suit into the river. What do you think?” Mora did not quail before this very significant speech. On the contrary, with great coolness, he said: “I think that you are mistaken.” “And why do. you think I am mistaken?” said Mr. Barnes. ‘■Because,” said Mora, rising to his feet and boldly facing Mr. Barnes, who also arose—“because the murderer did not throw them Into the river. It was I who did that.” “You?” gasped Mr. Barnes, utterly taken aback as he saw his supposedly strong evidence against this man about to be swept aside. “You say that you threw the suit into the river?” | fro BB CONTINUED.] '