Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENCUI,

Author of “An Artist In Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidence,” “A Modem Wizard,” “Final Proof,” Etc. Copyright, 1896, by O. P. Pulncm't Sana. AU right* reaervcd.

CHAPTER XIII. “the lily ok the valley.” The death of Slippery Sam attracted t?ut little attention. The newspapers announced that “the body of a criminal well known to the police was found last night in the street. He was known as .Slippery Sam, and a knife thrust-ln the heart seemed to-indicate murder, but the gidlty so far eluded arrest, auil there seems no likelihood of his discovery, as the police have absolutely no clew to his identity.” That was all, and this tneuger paragraph finished out a two column article devoted to the uusat ory details of a divorce case between parties whose names had been previously unknown to the general public. To Mr. Mitchel, however, the rpan’s death meant a great deal. He had ratl>er liked Slippery Sam, despite his career, for he found him a genial and rather interesting companion. Resides, he believed that Sam had really meant to serve him and had succeeded in tracking the woman from Essex street to her new abode and that in doing this against the orders of his associates he had risked ids life, which now, it seemed, lie had lost as the penalty of disobedience. Lastly, the discovery of the will upon his person had almost completely overturned his own theories about the Mora murder. Therefore, from every point of view, it aeemed unfortunate that the man had been cut off without a chance to make explanations which might have greatly cleared up matters. However, Mr. Mitchel was a man of resources and not likely to abandon an investigation because he encountered •bstacles. Therefore on the morning following the day on which Slippery Sam’s body was found he set out to put into execution a plan which he had decided upon after a night devoted more to reflection than to sleep. He was determined at any cost to find this young actress who called herself “The Lily of the Valley.” Notwithstanding the youtlifulness of her appearance, Judging from her photograph, as well as from the statements of Preacher Jim, he still considered that the embroidery on the infant’s garment which he had found was a link which undoubtedly connected this girl with the mystery which he was endeavoring to solve. It was 10 o’clock when lie nrrived at Apollo hall and began a conversation with the barkeeper, who readily remembered him. “triad to meet you again,” said that dispenser of liquid refreshments. “By the way, what did you say was your name the other day? I’ve got the worst sort of memory for names, but on faces I never get left. I knew you the minute I saw your shadow on the floor.” Mr. Mitchel knew that he had given no name on his former visit, but he was anxious not. to lose the fellow’s confidence by seeming to hesitate, and therefore he replied frankly: “My name is Mitchel. I want to Lave a talk with you confidentially. May I?” The word “confidentially” was very adroitly used, for the lower social circles enjoy nothing so much as “confidential relations” with their superiors. A secret shared in common forms a tie that breeds equality. The barkeeper lowered his voice in replying and looked very knowing. “Lean forward so the fellow by the window there can’t hear you and fire away,” said he; “Mum’s the word with me, and I’m loyal down to the ground. So let her go!” “Well, the fact is I wish to look up tht*, men who swore to Mora’s alibi. I think you told me that you know them.” “Know ’em? Well! If I don’t, nobody does. So you’ ve*. taken my tip, eh?” “I don’t exactly follow you.” “Oh, I guess you do! I sort of dropped a hint that money would buy them chaps, didn’t I?” “Oh, yes! I understand now. Yes; you are right. I have been thinking over your words, ,and I have come to the conclusion that the alibi was pre-

arranged. You see, Mora had no chance to see these men after the murder was discovered, so I guess that he taught them their parts beforehand.” “Say, you told me the other day that you ain’t no detective. But I swear you ought to be. You’re fly, you are! You twig the racket dead to rights.”

"xnauK you. Now, the point is just this—a man who will lie for money will also tell the truth for cash.” “Right you are, if .there’s enough in It to tempt him. I see your game.” “Now, I think I told you that I am connected with the press. Well, my paper is determined to go to the bottom of this affair, and it doesn’t mind what it costs to get the true story. What I want you to do is to find one of these men and give me a chance to pump him. If I should succeed I wouldn’t be surprised if there might be a fifty dollar bill in It for you up at the office.” “Oh, I’ll do a friend a favor without pay!” said the barkeeper in a deprecatory tone, but with a greedy look which plainly showed that Mr. Mitchel had played a trump card. “I tell you what you do,” he went on after a moment. “Rogers is the man you want. He’ll go down in the dirt and let you walk all over him for a fiver. A man like that wouldn’t stop long to think if you held boodle under his nose.” “Where can I find him?” “Rogers is always in one of three places—here, at his home asleep or in Jail.” “And where is he now?” “He’s the man by the window, and he seems to be asleep, but that’s an old bluff of his. He’s watching us because we’re talking low. You go into that room.to the left, and I’ll send him in. Then you work him.” Mr.‘ Mitchel obeyed Instructions and was soon followed by as ill smelling a specimen of beer drinking humanity as he had ever encountered. “Your name is Rogers, I believe?' said Mr. Mitchel, wishing to make the Interview as short as possible. “Good guess,” replied the man. “I wish to ask you a few questions.” “Sorry I can’t answer you, but my throat is too dry.” Then he uttered a couple of hoarse, rasping sounds which were very suggestive. Mr. Mitchel was disgusted to find himself obliged to deal with such a beast of a man, but ordered a drink for liim, which he eagerly disposed of. “Can you talk better now?” asked Mr. Mitchel sarcastically. “Much better, tbauks, but better fill her up again. I might get dry any minute. It’s constitutional with me. No cure for it, except drinkin.” “You shalL have enough to drown yourself in if you only give me your attention. You were a witness lately for Mr. Mora?” “Yes.” “You swore that he was in this hall at the time when it was supposed that bis father was killed?” “That’s what I took oath to.” “Mora paid you for that service?” “Good guess. He gave me a tenner.” “So! You admit then that you swore to a lie?” “No, mister; you’re wrong. I told the truth that day—first time in years, but luck was with me, you see.” “No; I do not see. What do you mean?” “Why, I mean I was offered money to tell the truth, and that’s a snap, ain’t It?” “Then you still insist that Mora was down here until after midnight?” “It’s the truth. That’s all I can say.” “Then this time you are not so lucky as you thought you were.” “How so?” “Why, because if you had been lying before you could earn a lot of money now by telling the truth.” “You mean by swearin that Mora wasn’t here that night?” “Yes.” “How much could I get for that?” T ffeOVE CONTINUED.] 1

the word with me. So let her go!”