The Argosy, October 1906 — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BY WAY OF THE BLIND ALLEY. BY EDGAR FRANKLIN, The surprising Stes Detective Bridger took in connection with the Rockaven robberies. =| Ee man who runs a detective agency is in the same boat with the man who conducts a grocery store—when de- mand lifts up her voice he must respond with alacrity or lose business. Wherefore Bridger, whose up-town de- tective bureau was fast building for it- self a more or less extended reputation, did not feel entirely pleased when, at the end of a hard day, this telegram ar- rived: Kindly come at once, or send thor- oughly competent man. FRANK R. MarsLAND, Rockhaven. « Marsland’s ‘identity, of course; was hardly shrouded in mystery; he- owns nearly half of Rockhaven, that long- established suburb of New York. He is a wealthy and conservative person, is -Marsland—but why on earth, at six o’clock in the evening, did he want a detective, and on a hurry call at that? Bridger pondered over it until the striking of the clock aroused him. He stood upon his feet with a-scowl. Palpably, he could not neglect the call; but he wished that his fame as an astute detective had not traveled to Rock- haven—or at least not until he had re- cuperated from the long work in con- nection with the Beavers case. | But Marsland had sent fer him and he must go. He left word with the of- fice-boy to take the reports of such out- side men as were yet on post, and made for the train. _ And at half past seven he was pressing the button beside Marsland’s door. Marsland is a person who has ever shunned the vices of hemming and haw- ing and cultivated the virtue of direct and vigorous attack, which is probably the reason that he collects rent in so many sections of Rockhaven. Within two minutes he was. seated — beside Bridger, and he had hardly dropped the detective’s hand when his even voice be- gan to tell the tale. ‘You were probaly: a Dit. = at so hurried a summons, Mr. Badeet = ae ‘A trifle.” pee S believed, however, that it was un- wise to let another night 1 ae without Sy Np You = read acre of our trou ple here? Se I a not. “We've. ee cep ) it a a the = ae = The ee melee —— “Very likely, but a little more St than the ordinary, I believe. _ However, gentlemen who “have : | office late this afternoon, SS we. agreed — that it would be better to call in “you = or some one like you—and see if the: nAui- sance can’t be stopped. The matter was” given into my hands, to be managed as quietly as possible—and here “you are.” “You've been robbed yourself?” “Not as yet. No, the first sufferer, I believe, was” ‘Cushman, — g ae use is = There was no sign ofh im. ie noti- fied our apology for a ‘police force, but they were ater unable to obtain the — slightest trace. wr three da we were forced fo. believe that = mat had. contrived a clean Saespe Om = i om of us, barring Cushr to forget the “robbery altogether. “ Then, Mr, Bridger, a house five doors this: way, was entered 3 in the : cuantity © seal eeu fends a af “ And ee found no trace this time?’ ee Dp : After two days, ‘Brindley’ Ss “place was Se = €O micboo co