Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CEHTURY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CRIME OF THE CEHTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

Author of “An Artist In Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidence,” “A Modern Wizard,” “Final Proof,” Etc. CopyripU, use, by Q. p. Putnam's Sons. AU righto reserved.

[Owing to a mistake in the- make-up last week a portion of last week’s installment of this story is republished in this issue in the correct form— Ed.] [CONTINUED.] “Then there is nothing between you and this woman?’’ *' “Nothing but friendship. She often obtained entrance for me Into places where I could study the life of that section, but which would have been Impenetrable to any one not known. She was useful to me in that way, and I have the kindliest feelings for her. If you find anything suspicious about that, you are welcome to make the most of it.” Mr. Barnes began to think that he had male a mistake in mentioning the name Morton. Mr. Mitchel knew it. This explanation, hoVever Improbable, was one that it would be difficult to disprove, especially as Mora could readily warn ids associates in the house and coach them to support his story. , Mr. Barhes, however, did not entirely despair. “Then it was 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 was stolen from the house In Essex street. The murderer wore It to your home and after killing your father came put 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 there-

fore 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. Barpes, 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?” “Do you doubt it? Did you not see me—you—you spy!” The last words came forth with a hissing sound, and the young man assumed a threatening attitude, which tempted Mr. Mitchel to speak for the first time. “Come! No violence!” he exclaimed, rising quickly and grasping Mora’s upraised arm. The younger man wrenched himself loose by a quick movement and turned to confront Mr. Mitchel. “And who are you?” he cried. “You have been sitting by in silence while this—this thief taker has been trying to twist something out of my mouth which he could use to place a rope around my neck. A nice business you both are InH “You do not know me, Mr. Mora, or you would not speak so harshly. In my conversations with Mr. Barnes I have argued that you are Innocent,” “I presume you expect me to be grateful to you for that. Well, I am not. I, am not guilty, and I defy all such detectives as this Mr. Barnes here.”

“You may defy me as much as you like,” said Mr. Baraes hotly, exasperated by the contemptuous words which had been used, “but you have admitted that since the murder you had the plaid suit In your possession and that you attempted to dispose of It, That you will find very difficult to explain,” “I should never hope that any explanation of mine would penetrate your thick skull,” said Mora, “and I would not attempt it except that perhaps your friend here is more reasonable than yourself and might persuade you of the stupidity of having me arrested, which, I presume, is the next step which you contemplate.” “No other course would be open to me unless von can account for vour very suspicious action," replied Mr. Barnes. “All things are suspicious to those who suspect,” said Mora. Then, turning to Mr. Mitchel, he continued: “This man admits that If the murderer wore my clothing it was because he wished me to be suspected. Very well. Upon my release yesterday I hastened to the Essex street house, because I had an Idea which was quickly confirmed. The man stole my clothes, and after killing my father he returned them to the closet from which he had taken them. Imagine my position if my connection with the house had been learned and the clothes found in my closet, with the blood on them. On finding them I was terrified, and I lost my head. I made the great mistake of hurrying with them to the river. I see now that I should have acted otherwise.” “What should you have done?” asked Mr. Mitchel. I “I should have gone to the police statlon and told the truth. The truth will always prevail, only in this instance”— He hesitated, seemed confused and stopped, leaving the sentence Incom-, plete. “Only in this Instance the truth was so! Improbable that the police might have! misconstrued your action into a bold game of bluff,” said Mr. Mitchel, finishing it for him. “Is that your idea?” “Yes; we’ll let It go at that.” He looked at Mr. Mitchel keenly for a few moments, then suddenly added, “I wish you gentlemen a very good morning,” and hurried from the apartment. Mr. Mitchel waited for Mr. Barnes to speak first, and very soon the detective asked: “Well, Mr. Mitchel, what do you think?” “I think I could have finished that young man’s sentence exactly as ho had framed it mentally. I think I could supply the words which he suppressed. I think your case is getting to be Intensely Interesting. And I think that I will take a walk—alone—if you will excuse me.” CHAPTER VIII. MH. BARNES AT WORK. When young Mora left the room so suddenly, Mr. Barnes, before asking for Mr. Mitchel’s opinion, had hurried to the window and had so placed himself behind the curtains that -he commanded a view of the street, though himself well screened from view. 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

replied) hna Mr. names ffibnd tiffife to answer! “You wish to take a walk ftlone? 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 though 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 detective 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 bad elapsed when a man slowly passed who looked sharply Into the Mora house. Instantly 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 or tnat man, my boy, but now you have Jack Barnes to deal with,” he mused. This is what had occurred. When Mora left Mr. 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, and Mr. Barnes would have been very glad now' for a few words with his spy, who was b.elng 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 went into his house, and very shortly after Mr. Barnes observed that the shutter of one of the windows of the parlor was slightly opened, just enough to enable any one within to peep out. “He’s a careful devil,” growled the detective. “He has heard of the double spy method, aud, even though he ought to feel certain that there is no other spy around, he is trying to discover one. I must be very cautious.” The shu|fer was soon closed again, and half an hour passed, with nothing to break the monotony of the watch, when suddenly the door was opened,

arid a mail tame out and walkea raji* idly down the street. Mr. Barnes was on the point of hurrying after him when he suddenly stopped, Just in time to prevent himself from passing beyond the protection of the door. Taking a small opera glass from his pocket, he looked at the man for some moments and then at the various windows of the house opposite. “You devil!” he muttered half aloud. “You almost caught me that time. So! You’ve dressed yffiir valet up in your clothes and sent him out to be followed by any spy who may be about. Well, my boy, the, next time you try that on me don’t select a man who takes three strides to your one.“"Ah! There you are, are you?” This time it was Mora himself who came out of the house dressed in totally different attire. He seemed to be altogether at ease and to be careless whether detectives were about or not, for without haste and without looking back he quietly walked up the street. “Shall I follow him or his man?” thought Mr. Barnes. “I believe that he is the sort who would never make a confidant of any one. The valet was but a decoy ,in case I had another spy posted near his house. He will himself attend to whatever business be has in hand.” Mr. Barnes now came cautiously 1 forth and began shadowing Mora with I the skill of a veteran. In the side street he kept so far in the rear and , always so near a door or a tree box j that if Mora had turned his head ever i so quickly he would not have seen Mr. i Barnes, Qn Broadway, which they soon reached, the crowded nature of the thoroughfare made it possible to keep closer, but he never risked to approach too near. j And so they passed on down Broadl way, the detective always keeping discreetly at a proper distance, until they approached Delmonico’s. Here Mora went in and, taking a seat at a table near the window, satisfied Mr. Barnes by his action that he no longer supposed that he was watched. Whatever the business which had called him ! out, he seemed to be In no haste, for he took big time over his luncheon, then called some acquaintances whom he recognized and ordered wine and cigars, which they all discussed together until more than two hours had elapsed. Then, suddenly looking at his I watch, he seemed surprised to find It so late, for he spoke a few words to his friends, then hurried out and crossed quickly to Sixth ayenye. Mr. Barnes of course kept him in sight and took a street car following the one into , which Mora had jumped. I Much to the surprise of the detective, Mora alighted at the Jefferson Market police station and went Into the courtroom. At the risk of being observed Mr. Barnes followed as far as the doorway, where, with a nod to the policeman on guard, he placed himself go that he could peep in. Very poop he understood Mom’s ' errand, He bad visited the place to make a charge against the spy whom he had caused to be arrested, and to Mr. Barnes’ chagrin his man was fined $lO for annoying Mr. Mora and was, moreover, warned not to repeat the . offense. Mr. Barnes found a hiding place I which screened him while Mora passed out, but the young man now walked so rapidly that Mr. Barnes feared to take the time to have a few words With his man, who was paying his fine, lest he should lose sight of Mora, He felt certain that he had remained up town merely to keep this engagement at the police court, but that now, the affair being settled and the spy ordered not to follow him, he would hasten to attend to that which he was so unwilling to have any one witness. flO BX CONTINUED.]