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1-K m..- _ ,an www.m- zesmivfiiwzira-msm ammmwwfim ,xz‘fixa.:‘~snm%W.WWWWM" ‘ 2:“, “4.1;; IE‘LZI Ki '1: I . .. I..-s_._..._.._....e~ . “.memmnzwm _» _, ; Alx‘fimnwvvlqmgu mum ...:‘5 1.1131291 “f- ,4 , ‘ , _._._.__.__~,.,.... . .4. pkg”- qfl, “My.” .r,,.â€"».ri,- -. .xw ‘f-‘V'u-ra,7- am. ©®©9®9©¢©6®0®6®¢©6®0 $0 - lSpeck fl flus§ eeeeeoeeeeeoeeeoeoeeeg My experience has taught me that the role of a private detective is not alWays what fiction would suggestâ€"- a, comfortable walk along the path of fame. Unless some brilliant coup is effected it is generally a monotâ€" onous round of tracking missing rel- atives or shadowing suspected “trusted” clerks. At the time of which I write I had been in the profession for about three years, with no probability of WOWM'Q obtaining recognition other than that afforded by the little brass plate, bearing my name. Then came the hurried message from Sir' Thomas Johnson, the emâ€" inent engineer and head of the firm which bore his name, and I knew inâ€" tuitively the longed-for opportunity had arrived. Immediately on presentation of my card I was shown into a private office, where Sir Thomas, together with a young lady, seemed to be anxiously awaiting my arrival. In the latter I recognized his daughter, and, furthermore, that she was weeping. “You are a private detective?” he asked, brusquely. I bowed affirmatively. “I 'sent for you'to unravel what appeared to be a very mysterious matter, but fortunately for all con- cerned my daughter has, unknowing- ly, been the means' of explaining the whole business, and therefore your services will not be required.” I made some congratulatory reâ€" mark. but inwardly cursed the girl’s interfering propensities. “Stop,” she cried, as I prepared to retire. “Father, have you in- deed made up your mind that Mr. Whitbury is'the culprit?" He appeared surprised at her eag- erness, and hesitated as though 10th to distress her. “Suppose,” he said at last. “my convictions are corroâ€" borated by this professional gentle- man, will you grant that my actions are justifiable?" _ “Yes,” she replied, slowly. “That’s fair; at any rate I’ll try.” “Then,” said Sir Thomas, draw- ing himself up, and proceeding in a businessélike manner, “the facts are these. .For- some years past the ,firm has been engaged in experimen- tal work in connection with textile manufactures, the nature of which is of no consequence at the present moâ€" ment. We aimed at an entirely new method of production, differing from every known process in its extreme simplicity and the’remarkable savâ€" ing in the cost of manufacture. To obtain strict secrecy our experiments were conducted in premises apart from the work‘s. Entrance to this building can only be obtained by the directors, four engineers, and the laborers necessary for the rough work. These are all paid a high rate of wages to ensure our con-'- fidence not being misplaced. “The initial stages have been suc- cessfulfy passed, the directors devis- ed more drastic methods to prevent the nature of their experiments leaking out, and for the past twelve months it has been the rule that the four engineers must all be pre- scnt before any one of them can enter the premises. They are all, I may add, old servants of the firm, whilst the laborers have been chosen for their physical strength, intellec- tuaiity being unnecessary in their case. “With these precautions we thought We were perfectly safe, but fudge of our surprise when a rival firm a short time ago patented a :ertaiu piece of mechanism which proved conclusively that they were an the same track as ourselves. This, as a coincidence, was remark- able, and we waited further develop- ments. None appeared; but immediâ€" ately we proceeded to work again and perfected another portion, this was also patented by our rivals. Since that period various ‘mistakes’ have been made on purpose, and those being also patented justified us in coming to the conclusionâ€"to put. it plainlyâ€"we were being given away. “We, of course, endeavored to trace the culprit, without result, and finally had to c10se our experi- ment shops pending his discovery. This loss of time may alone prove disastrous to us, but, on the other hand. progression appears to be simply giving the other firm the benefit of our ideas. "it was to trace the culprit that your presence was requested here toâ€" day. llefore you arrived, however, my daughter chanced to call and showed me some opals of local views presented to her by Mr. Whitbury, our managing clerk, for her stall at the forthcoming bazaar. Engrossed upon the subject of the betrayal of our secrets, 1 was only half inter- ested, until the thought occurred to my mind that a man so experienced was fully competent to take photoâ€" graphs of our experimental work, particularly when the keys were un- der his control. He was iimnediateâ€" ly called here, and, replying to my questions, admitted taking photos inside the works, although he knew perfectly well we have a rule strict- ly forbidding it. He had the au- dacity to show me these, but, of coilrse, denies all knowledge of the secret work. His actions, however, have, to say the least, been susâ€" picious. and I submit I am perfect- ly justified in suspending him until furl her inquiries have been made.” He stopped and, leaning back, .- .... . .. , ,, . waited my decision. It was an anx- ious moment. The man’s guilt ap- peared conclusive, though circumâ€" stantially so. I looked at his daughter; she was pale, and breath- ing heavily. Poor girl; I pitied her, and, pitying, made up my mind. I guessed her secret, and resolved to help her, if possible. “Could, not the engineers have taken drawings?" I suggested. “No,” he replied, firmly. “They are .paid to submit. to the indignity of being searched if necessary, and this course has several times lately been carried out.” ‘ “But. surely details could be stored up in the mind, and afterwards put down on paper,” I urged. “Too complicated,” he answered, decisively. . “At present I see nothing in “hit- bury’s actions to justify a convic- tion of his guilt,” I remarked, Sir Thomas sprang up in surprise, and his daughter let slip a genuine ‘ ‘Thank Heaven. ’ ' Then the baronet rang the bell and asked the managing clerk to attend. “This‘gentleman, Mr. Whitbury,” he said, after a few introductory reâ€" marks, “thinks I may have been somewhat hasty in making the charge imputed to you. However, if you are willing, nothing. further shall be said or done for another month. You will continue your duties as before, but if in a. month from this date the real culprit is not produced I trust you willâ€"well, have left the country.” "The conditions are hard, sir, returned Whitbury, with a sigh; “especially when the traitor has eluded capture so long. But, nev- ertheless, I accept them. To you, sir," he continued, turning to me, “my thanks are due; I know not the ways and means of detectives, but prove me innocent and all I have is yours.” “ “Yes, do it, and I’ll add to your reward-£50,” cried the 'girl, impetu- ously, and immediately retiring with blushing countenance. Had the roof fallen the surprise could not have been greater. Whit- bury seemed to forget his trouble, and ‘held his head at least a couple of inches higher. Sir Thomas moâ€" tioned him to retire, and, deep in thought, suggested the same course to his daughter. Immediately the door was closed he grasped my shoulder. “She offer- ed you £50. Prove Whitbury inno- cent and I'll double it,” he said. The 'next day I obtained permisâ€" sion to look round the building in which the experiments had been 7’0 conducted. It consisted of two rooms. 'One was filled with numerâ€" ous engineering tools. the other beâ€" .ing used as the erecting shop of the finished portions of the new Work. I immediately recognized the impos- sibility of information of any value being obtainable from ' the me- chanics’ room. There parts of maâ€" chinery were scattered about in seemingly -hopeless confusion, and until they were erected in the sec- ond room I was informed that even the men themselves were unable to form any idea of the complete ma- chine which they, as a whole, repre- sented. It was in ‘1“) ‘,erecting shop, therefore, that I .ommenced operations. Not the slightest. clue of any description was obtainable, and yet a close inspection confirmed my conviction that the guilty per- son was one of the employed, and one with a perfect right of entry. The only inlet was through the door leading from the mechanics’ shop, whilst the windows, glazed with ob- scured glass and barred; offered no possibility of admission being obâ€" tained through them. ~ There was ' only one hope; Work must be commenced again, and I must be one of the workers. To this arrangement Sir Thomas readily agreed, and the next day I adopted the role of a laborer. The men, however, appeared above suspicion, interesting themselves very little, if any, in.- the work going on. Day af- ter day we simply smoked the time away, occasionally giving the me- chanics a hand with some particular- ly heavy work. When we arrived in the morning, the four engineers be- ing present, we nwere admitted, and the doors locked. At noon we were as carefully watched out, no man be- ing allowed to have his meals in. the place. In the evening the same pro- cess was adopted. In this manner three weeks pass~ ed, and Sir Thomas commenced to ask very pointed,questions as to my progress, whilst Wliitbury appeared to get more anxious as the days flew. ' One night as I was pacing the office, mad with defeat, he entered and, with a forced eahnness, handed me an envelope. It contained a copy of a formal notice to the diâ€" rectors of a meeting to be held five days later, for the purpose of “Handing them certain information he, Sir Thomas, had obtained re- specting the betrayal of the firm’s trade secrets,” and enclosed in‘ the same envelope was a firstâ€"class: tic- ket to America. I threw the notice dOWn and manifested impatience at the baronet’s unreasonable spirit. And yet I could but express my ap- preciation of his kindliness in help~ ing a man whom he thought guilty to escape from .the punishment which he merited if his treachery should be fully established. It was a strange mixture of duty and friendship. “I have definitely decided to re- main and see the business through,” said Whitbury. . The next evening Sir Thomas sent for me to his private house and sug- gested that, as my efforts appeared to have been in vain, I had better discontinue them. had expected and prepared for. .__._._.â€"â€"__â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"_____._.â€"â€"_â€".__.â€"_.â€".v â€"____â€"_â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" .â€"._____._â€"__._._.â€"â€"_______ ._..~_____.â€"â€"â€"â€"*.___________ ~ ~â€"_____â€"________â€"_â€"â€" f I been given a mystery. - tion is at stake" - he smiledâ€"“and I'll do it.” sioral mind as absurd,” he continuâ€"I ed, sarcastic-ally, “to ignore the evidence which already ex- ists againstâ€"â€" 50," he almost shouted. I replied, firmly. month to unravel the My professional reputaâ€" “Dues it not strike your profes- so completely U “Whitbury is innocent," I replied. “Then, confound you, prove him “But, re- member, the time is short.” I left him crestfallen. Here was success waiting for me, and I was utterlyincapable of grasping it. My brain reeled and commenced playing curious tricks. Trivialites before unnoticed new appeared strangely prominent. The men’s characterisâ€" tics, their apparel, the different sounds of the machinery in motion, “I have 'lid, . plate, swings ing containing the oflice and the homing traps. The traps are electric so constructed that the bird may enter without trouble, automatically closing to prevent egress, and ring: ing the signal of the entry on an electric clock in the oflice. Opposite this building is another smaller on! ~â€"the pigeon house, and between the two buildings and several feet abovi the-ground is a large aviary. Lead- ing to the aviary is a stairway and around it is a walk, for the con‘ venience of both the workmen rant visitors. containing the photographic down directly behind the hole, and the exposure continues until the handle is once more raised. N0 attention whatever is necessary. the time for exposure requiring anyâ€" thing from one to three hours in a light such as this." Roberts, being brought for-Ward. corroborated my statements. Pin- hole photography had, so he stated, been his hobby, and, when approach- ed by one of the partners of the rival firm with offers of big re- wards if he would use his hobby to ,5 f .) Kl find out the nature and, if possible, the details of our experiments, he had eventually agreed to do so, and would in all probability have suc- ceeded had it not been for-what was presumably a mere speck of dust. Need I add that Sir Thomas was quick to make honorable amends to all seemed to rise and claim their share of attention. One man smokâ€" ed, another was always chewing.’ Yet another seemed blessed with an abnormal appetite, and appeared to be perpetually on a walk across the erecting shop to takena biscuit out of the tin box he carried. This box was the subject of many a joke. There was nothing particularly striking about it, simply a plain square tin: thing common enough amongst .workmen carrying their meals about, but the tender care be stowed upon it by its owner, the careful manner in which he always carried it away when leaving the building, to return and place it in exactly the same position on top of a cupboard in the, erecting shop, made him the butt of our ridicule. He only smiled, however, and said the box had been given to him by an old chum, which partly explained the attention it received. It was the eve of the last day, and utterly dejected I was preparâ€" ing to leave the premises for the night, next day to admit failure, and in all probability see Whitbury arrested, when suddenly I observed on the floor the charred end of a piece of paper, used presumably to light some one's pipe. Whose I knew not. I picked ,it up unnoticed, and felt inclined to shout. It was black, and of the kind used‘to wrap round photographic plates. I called upon Whitbury and in- formed him of my success. Photo- graphy was being usedâ€"but how? Now that I had got something sub- stantial to work upon the time alâ€" lowed had almost expired. The next morning, inunediately I entered the premises, I prowled round the pieces of machinery, but hunted in vain. Not a trace of any- thing in the shape of a camera could I find. Looking up suddenly, how- ever, I notified Roberts, the posses- sor of the tin box, intently watching me. Fool, it dawned upon me in an instantâ€"the box was in reality a camera. To obtain possession was my next move, but he appeared to anticipate such a course, and reso« lutely kept near me. Noon arrived with a note from Whitbury, left at the restaurant I usually dined at, stating that he was hourly expecting to be informed that he was to consider himself under arâ€" rest. ’ One o’clock â€"- We returned to work. The box seemed to fascinate me. Time after time I approached it, and just as often Roberts apâ€" peared. Two o’clock; I could stand it no longer, and made a determined effort to reach it. With a curse he flung himself upon me, and together we fell. The noise brought the enâ€" gineers- running in, and when we were separated, I informed them of my suspicions. Roberts smiled tri- umphantly, and opened the box for their inspection; it was empty. I collapsed in. every sense of the Word, whilst the engineers, after tak- ing theprecaution to lock the door, sent a messenger to Sir Thomas to report my conduct. I was therefore left in the erect» ing shop with "nothing but the conâ€" founded box to keep me company. I found myself gazing involuntarily at itâ€"â€"spellbound; and it was then I noticed what appeared to be a small speck of dirt or. its usually highly- polished surface. Almost uncon- sciously I tried to ‘knock it off; it would not come, and my heart alâ€" most stopped beatingâ€"I had won! 1t was my turn now to call for Sir Thomas, and, wrapping my jacket around the box, I raised my voice to such good effect that the engiâ€" neers were glad to open the door. Roberts stepped forward and looked me keenly in the face, afterwards glancing round the shop. Not see- ing his box he entered, and in a trice I had the door locked and him a prisoner. - At that moment Sir Thomas arâ€" rived, closely followed by Whitbury, who, hearing the message delivered, was naturally anxious to know the reason of the row. “What is the meaning of this?” demanded Sir Thomas, angrily. “It means,” I replied, “that when engaging your laborers on account of their physical strength you should be careful that their simple, un- couth features do not hide a brain fertile in ingenuity. This,” I con- tinued, placing the box before him, “is outwardly a strong tin box, but in reality a cleverly constructed camera. The makes it particularly difficult to dc~ tect its real use, whilst this small hole in the end is sufficiently requis- ite for the purpose it has been put to. Contained in the lid (fitted, by the way, with a. false top) is a lits tle bit of mechanism which you, as an engineer, will appreciate. When the handle is uprightâ€"that is, verâ€" tically from the lidâ€"it is, to all if:- It was what I tents, an ordinary box, but placed horizontally a. portion of the false absence of the lens. his chief clerk for the wrong he had done him in so repeatedly doubting his loyalty. Not only was Whit- bury promoted to an even more reâ€" sponsible position in the firm, but when shortly afterwards he made application for the hand of the girl who had believed in his honesty throughout, the baronet warmly wel- comed him to the bosom of his fam- ilyâ€"London Titâ€"Bits. _â€"â€"_â€".+__-â€"â€"-. l “ PIGEDNGRAM ” SERVIUE AUCKLAND HAS IT AND DOES NOT WANT A CABLE. Four Hundred Birds in the Loft. Absolutely Trustworthy Service. The value of the pigeon as a swift and sure messenger. is well known, but that its unerring home instinct and magnificent" power of flight have been utilized to form a complete, thoroughly trustworthy mail service is probably not known at all in this country. But such is the case, and so successful is the enterprise that its patrons have refused to adopt any other proposed means of comâ€" munication. This service has been in use for several years between New- ton Roads, Auckland, New Zealand, where the main loft is, and the Great Barrier and Maro Tiri islands, on each of which there are three agencies. These agencies are known locally as post offices, though their system of operation is as near like that of the telegraph or cable Office. The Original Pigeongram Service is the name given by S. Holden Howie, the youthful inventor and owner. There were many interruptions to his chosen pastime. He shirked school and put in his time watching and making friends- with all of the pigeons» around his home. When he was caughtâ€"and its occurred Oftenâ€" his punishment was severe. But that didn't make any difference. Young Howie stuck by his feathered friends.- And he has since proved that his childish perversity was wiser than all, of his parents’ and tutor‘s admon'iâ€"‘ tions. One day HIS OPPORTUNITY CAME. The Great Barrier Island is about seventy-five miles, as the pigeon flies.. to the northeast of Auckland. It is not a large island, but its rough soil holds a. store of copper and other 'mineral wealth, and there are extensive forests of gum trees. Between the miners and the gum cutâ€" ters and others neceSSary in a settle- ment of these two classes there are enough. inhabitants to make several fairâ€"sized little towns. Three of these are Whangapara, Port Fitzroy and Oroville. The population is drawn largely from Auckland and the surrounding country, of which that city is the metropolis. Forâ€" merly there was no means of comâ€" munication with home except by a. little steamer, which made weekly trips. This would not have been so bad, but the boat began its return trip the same day that it arrived at the island, and the replies to letters from relatives and friends could not be sent until the boat came again. There came a day when some of the directors of the Great Barrier mines found it necessary to make an extended trip of inspection to their property. One of them, who was very desirous of connnunicating every day with his household, bethought him of young Howie’s pigeons. He requested the loan of a few birds. The boy had several that were good homers and he gladly loaned them. They performed their mission to the director’s and their owner’s satisfacâ€" tion. Howie had thus demonstrated the utility of the scheme he had so long harbored to a powerful and interest-ed friend. As a result of that loan came the Original Pigeonâ€" gl'am Service. I-IOWIE BUILT A LOFT at Newton Roads, his suburban home. Meanwhile he arranged his plans: Every effort was made to se- cure good birds. By purchasing and judicious breeding they were obtain- ed, though for a time the increase in his loft hardly kept pace with the growing demands for their services. He installed agencies in the three Great Barrier towns, named and trained the birds to home both Ways. Then he established another pigeon- gram line to the Maro Tiri Islands, which, translated, means the Hen and Chicken Islands, arranging three more agencies; making six in all. The Maro Tiri Islands are a few miles northwest of the Great Barâ€" “01'. . There are now 400 birds in left. This is a. new and eNrate structure, built with every homing and housing the pig-cons. [going out for the ‘on- the The operation ‘ of the service i: elaborate and minute in detail. 1!. record is kept of the time of de parture and arrival of the birds which are Sent out in rotation, ac. cording to their numbers. The nam( of the sender of the message and th( person to whom it is addressed art also registered. THE MAN NER OF FASTENING the message to the bird has been im‘ proved with experience. At first. ordinary fine paper Was used and thc message was carefully tied to 'th( bird’s leg with a string. The cord often slipped out of place, injuring the bird, and the paper was to: bulky and not durable enough. The first improvement was in the paper. The kind now in use has demonstrat‘ ed its durability and perfect adapts ability to the needs of the service. The sheets are eight by twelve inches in size, of the lightest, toughest; Japanese tissue. yellowâ€"white. At the head of each sheet is printed a cut of the two most prized birds in the loft, Te Uira, and Velocity ; the,business ans nouncement of the enterprise, the names of the stations and agents and the date line. “ Six of these sheets may be includ< ed in a message, postage for which is one shilling, or 24 cents in our money. As one may write on both sides of the paper it readily may be seen that_ the capacityf of the message will meet the demands of even the most voluminous lov'e epistle. When the message is- written the sheets are placcd together and folded length- wise into a, strip; (about. an inch wide. This is wound‘tightly'around the leg of the bird, gas one would wind a, strip of'pap'er around his finger in making a paper ring. Then the loose end of the strip is fastened witha postage stamp. «-.,»_~._. J It is published by Mr. Howie and is not in any Way the seal of the Gov‘ ernment. On it is engraved the name of the enterprise and a like. ness of one of the carriers. It has the perforated edges and the gum- med back of the regular Government mail stamp, and is in the usual de mand with collectors, by whom it is regarded as a great curiosity. THOUSANDS OF MESSAGES have 2 been sent and not one lost Every precaution is taken that now shall be. This is insured in ' thl careful breeding, training and super- vision of the birds. If the slightest fault is found in one of them, till! bird is instantly shot. If.a .bird alights‘ between the lofts it pays thl maximum time schedule set for it: passage it gets one more trial, and if it fails again is 'killed. ' A year ago the Government an- nounced its intention of laying a cable from Auckland to the” Great Barrier. The project was abandonef however, as the residents of the lit; tle island decided >unanimously that they were very well pleased with thf pigeons and that a cable would 110‘. be patronized. So the Government turned its attention to Howie. Ioffered to buy his whole mail outfit He refused both that offer and om of a goodâ€"sized subsidy. He assert ed that he w-as making money or his venture, and that he was too much in love with it to give it into other hands. Mr. Howie's brother, J. R. Howie, is the manager of thf. service. He has his headquarters in the main loft and has two assist ants. They are busy all of the time. as there is an average of more that forty messages sent each hour am: as many received. The loft is a, great point of into:- est to visitors, many of whom sem messages for novelty's sake. Th: Prince of' Wales while he was yet Duke of Cornwall and York, with tin Princess and a party of friends spent several hours at the loft. Mr Howie knew of'their visit in advanci and made elaborate preparations Streamers of red, white and blw were attached to every bird use: that day. The result was almos‘ disastrous, as the pigeons arrived a1 their destinations in all sorts of en tanglements. Decorations will bf dispensed with in thC‘fUtlll'C.‘ Several lives have been saved witf the “pigeongrams” where expeditio in getting medical treatment wa needed. Their utility.has been (1: monstrated in every possible (lire: tion. Every departing ship carries : few of the birds with it. Releasin: them at intervals on the voyage ouf They are of ines-timable service t the newspapers, and every war vessi target practice c manoeuvres takes along several ( them. Fifty of them have bee trained to home for 500 miles in an direction. ‘ _-â€"â€"â€"é~, M“ SILENT AUCTIONS. Japanese auctions are conducti silent plan. Each biddl {writes his name and bid upon a sll conâ€"30f paper. which he places in n. be: \‘enience, electric and otherwise, for i‘.\'hen the bidding is over the box.“ opened by the auctioner and ti There are three di\isions in the loft. .goods are declared the property 1 The main one is a. two-story buildâ€" {the highest bidder, K it)“ W. -YWA ' A j-E'y‘ZfV-_-‘,~ The color is alight _ This stamp is a novelty in its-elff penalty. If it comes in behind thi ‘ mm ‘NJ