STAIRS OF SAND A TALE OF A MYSTERY ST ERNEST DE LANCEY PIERSON luraoa or "THE SECRET OF THE MARIONETTES," "A DANGEROUS QUEST," ETC. Copyright, 1901, Bt STREET A SMITH iMMMMMMttftttttttttttttttftttttttttttttM1t CHAPTER XVI. On the day following the incident of the black coune. Superintendent Karnes, the chief of police, was seated In hi office, studying a mass of written reports that lay before him on the desk. Evi dently what he read was not to his lik ing, for his generally smooth forehead wore a dep frown and now and then he ottered an exclamation that showed his anger and disgust. Inspector Barnes, as he was better known in the city, looked more like a prosperous banker than a man who had pent the principal part of his life in in vestigating the undercurrents of society. He did not wear that worn and worried look we are accustomed to associate with man who has so much work laid out for him. He was none the less a capable officer, and if his smile was "childlike and bland," he was feared and respected by the lawless world, and justly so. Barnes was not in a good humor on the morning In question, and after he had finished his reading leaned back in the big chair and puffed for a moment on lis black cigar, sending forth such clonds that he resembled a fat idol surrounded by incense. His glance fixed on the ceil ing, it only changed to look now and then with a scowl at the pile of papers be fore him. Suddenly he leaned forward nd rang the bell sharply at hla elbow. The folding doors In the center of the room opened and his personal attendant Appeared. "Send Mae here at once!" he said, tnd lolled back in his chair again, smoking more rigorously than ever and engaged in deep thought. The attendant bowed himself out and a moment later the chief of detectives entered, and, closing the door behind him, advanced to the desk where his superior was seated. ; He was a Bmall man, looking not un like an overworked clerk, quick and nerv ms in his movements, with a long pale face and sharp eyes that almost glared from beneath bushy eyebrows. "Want me, Super?" he asked, in a low Toice. "Mac" was a man not given to eloquence or long speeches. "I am thinking that this department yours, mine, everybody's, is in a bad state," said the chief. "Ah," but the little man's face was unmoved. "Jxok at that stack of reports there." exclaimed the other, pointing to bis desk. "Mostly made up of the hopeless attempts to find the fellow who is at the npat! of most of the robberies that have tjeen committed in the city during the past year. And not one of our people has been able to get even a clew to his whereabouts. Now, that fellow must be aanght or the department will stand for ever disgraced. Never since I have been connected with the force have we been confronted with so many failures. Why, if things go on this way you and I will have to get out, that's all." "I'm sure I wish it was different," sigh ed Mac, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. "After all, it may not be the work of one man. You know a thief gi-ts a reputation, and then every other crime of note is set down to bis credit, or discredit. Just like in y,ur own business. We often get credit in the papers for unearthing a criminal, when it may be, like as not, entirely the work of one of our men." Inspector Bnrnes looked at bis com panion to see if there was any personal insinuation intended, but the little man was busy eying the glass case containing criminal curiosities. "Well, if these robberies are not the work of the same man, why don't you catch the ones who are guilty?" he said, In a voice of exasperation. "I tell you I still believe there is one behind it all, for these affairs bear the same stamp. It is, of course, possible that some one else has copied his methods. Whoever he is, he is a clever man, and we have not heard of the like since the days of CJr?e Leonidas Leslie. If I were not sure that Leslie was very dusty, I should believe that he had a hand in these mat ters. Now, Mac. why don't you catch him?" "Why, indeed V with a smile. "Why don't I capture a rainbow to make rib bons out of it for my wife. I tell you, Super, we are doing all we can. We have bad some men who work for him in hand. but. though industriously pumped, they know little more about him than we do. To call the man a 'shadow' is wrong, for he never stays as long as a shadow in one place. But I have an Ides." "Yon are fortunate so early in the morning." "It 1 tbla, that the bead of these af fairs la not to be found in the under world, but higher np. For all we know, one who passes a a gentleman." r "That I hate thought of myself," said (he chief, thoughtfully. "Perhaps we have bees working in the wrong direction all alone. Well, I can only urge yon to do yoor best, or we shall find ourselves disliked by the press and the public and la general disrepute." "I'll try a new tack," and the detec tive brought bla teeth together with a map. "Don't think I haven't worked bard over this cursed affair. It worries Me quite as much aa It does yon," bat the chief did not seem to be listening, was leaning back in his chair as if half asleep, and tbe other, seeing bin no preoccupied, took tbe opportunity to alip out of tbe room. The closing of tbe door routed tbe rhlef from but reverie, for be sat np and looked around aa If wondering to find bimaelt alone. Jut then a timid tap aonnded on tbe door and tbe attendant "tTeH. wfcat do yon want?" asked tbe "TO heavy swH! outside who atjra I tUnka he has news of Inipor tmm tkls teat robbery ea de Clar feat-Tart, f Miniwat, to take up my time," growled Barnes; then, settling back in his chair, with aa air of resignation, "Well, tell him to come in." The visitor tripped in gayly, as if bent on a pleasure mission. He was rather overdressed and wore a gardenia in his lapel. His face was smiling, but Barnes in an ill-humor frowned that down. "You have some information be brief. Sit down." motioning toward a chair. The visitor dropped into the seat. "Inspector Barnes, I believe you are aware that a man known under the so briquet of Will o' the Wisp recently es caped, with others, from the Auburn prison." Barnes nodded stiffly. "I have reason to know that he is still in this city. That he arrived here a few days ago." "Are you sure of that?" eying his vis itor keenly. "Our men have been looking for him, but I had no news of his where abouts." "Well, you see an amateur sometimes can beat a professional." "But how do you know you have seen the man do yon know him personally?" "Well, hardly, not being in the habit of associating with such people," with a laugh. "Explain yourself." "I need not go into details in fact, I prefer not to. This man, it happens, called on us some time ago. He holds a paper a document, which, if made public, would do a great injury to our family. Now, he could only have got hold of this paper through a fellow-prisoner one Martin Frale to whom it was confided many years ago." "I see. Frale wag the man who was killed when a crowd of .them escaped from Auburn," and the chief examined a paper which he drew from one of the pigeon holes above his desk. "This Frale and Will, it seems, had struck up a great frieudship in prison. Frale. I learn, sav ed his life from the assault of another man when they were working in tbe shoe shop. Since that time they were like brothers. It's rather a pity that this rrale was shot; because, you see, he had but a short time more to serve, if he had not attempted to escape." He replaced the paper in his desk, and looked to his visitor as if waiting for him to speak. "By the way, you have not told me your name," as the other maintained si lence. "To be sure, I forgot that. Of course, I don't want to appear conspicuously in the matter." "You need not." "My name is Frank Ellison." "And you think that iierbaps this es caped prisoner may be the land of these recent robberies. The snpiMtsition is not a bad one, for when he was at larae he conducted some pretty clever jobs." He took a memorandum pad from his desk, and dipped bis pen into the ink. at the same time assuming an attitude of at tention. "Now, then, where is this place where our man can be found?" "There are reasons why I cannot tell you as yet." said Ellison. The chief dropped his pen on the desk angrily. "Did you come here to have fun with the department?" "Nothing of tbe kind." And the vis itor looked anxiously toward the door. "Then explain yourself, and brlcSy." "I must arrange a meeting with this man if I can." "What for?" snapped Barnes. "It must be part of our bargain. I first of all wish to secure possession of this document. It would injure n if this fal low should be arrested and that paper ill his hands. He would make it public, and that would be a poor reward for what I intend to do." Barnes examined his visitor from head to foot carefully. For all the flippant, foppish air of the man, he felt when he looked into his eyes that he was far from being the weak character he aic peared to be. That he was a man of strong passions and impulses, and not inclined to be overscrupulous. "So you want to make a bargain with the police, eh?" "You can put It In that light, if you please," replied Ellison, calmly. "And if we refuse " "Why, then, you will have to find the roan for yourself, that Is all," and the other laughed, despite the superinten dent's frowning face. "What is the paper you wish to secure you can speak to me in perfect confi dence," said Barnes. "I cannot tell you that." "But if I demand that you tell me," for there waa something about the man ner of the man before him that roused his anger, and he was in a bad humor, anyway, that day. "My answer would be the same," said Ellison, and as he said this be rose. "Where are you going?" demanded tbe chief. "Naturally, I was going home, since we cannot come to an arrangement." "Who said we could not?" grumbling. "I merely wanted to find out all I could about tbe matter. Well, now, I must leave you to arrange a meeting with this fellow," and be made a grimace as if he did not like to think that the direction of the capture was to be taken out of bis bands. "Yea, I hope to perfect my arrange ments so that he can be nabbed in a couple of days. When everything Is fixed beyond tbe possibility of failure you shall bear from me." "How very kind." The superintendent waa talking to himself. Then, In a loud er voice. "Well, I shall count on you. How do yon mean to go about It? You know be la apt to abow a rigorous fight. Yon will need help." "I well know tbe desperate nature of the man from reputation. I shall ask you to poet your men In the afreet. When I fire a state! yon can rath in. But tbe details cm ha arranged later. Now, It Is too early in the day to think of every thing. "1 shall be anxious until I hear from you." said the chief. "For reasons It is unnecessary to men- tion I am quite as auxious as you that the affair should be terminated," and El lisnn bowed and left the office. "The deuce!" he exclaimed when he found himself in tbe street. "How Barnes did glare at me at times. I wonder if I have done well to put my head in the lion's mouth? Bah! the race is to the swift!" and with a careless laugh he weut his wiiy. (To be continued.) Chinese Conveyance. - Tim nmhor43f. "Overl'ind to China," in writing of his approach to Pekln, gives a graphic account of different carriages to be seen upon the way. We begin to meet tinkling files of donkeys, evidently fresh from town; the little beasts pattering along resign edly, although often so much overtop ped with Chinaman as to suggest the simile of "improper fraction." Then a string of creaking wheelbar rows, pushed by perspiring coolies. Tbe barrow resembles a miniature Jaunting-car on a single wheel, and it Is often used, especially In tbe south, for carrying passengers, farmer and pig sometimes balancing each other. one on either side. In tbe early Shang bai days English Indies are said to have used them when sedan-chairs were not to be had. The wheelbarrows, employed In the north principally for goods, are occa sionally to lie seen with a rag of calico sail set. To them Milton may have referred when he wrote "Where Chinese drive With salles and wind thir canle wag gons light." Too Effective. The German proprietor of a sawmill In a Minnesota town used for fuel the refuse from the lumber. The fuel cost nothing, but It took four men to pro vide It, because the machinery was old-fashioned. An agent for mill machinery persuad ed the German to put In new equip ment which wonld reduce the amount of fuel one-half. It looked like a good proposition, says the Duluth News Tribune, and the agent, sure of suc cess, called on the German after the machinery had been Installed, expect ing to be congratulated. But the Ger man gave him a gloomy stare. "What's the matter? Doesn't the machinery do all I claimed for it?" asked the agent. "Ya, but I overlook gomctings." "What was that?" "Veil, it (lakes only dwo men to han dle de fuel, but It dakes de udder dwo men to haul avay Tat ve didn't use fc fore, uud a team pesldes." different Now. "Sadie, how are you getting along at school in your physiology?" "Ail right, I guess." "How many holies are there In the human body?" "Two hundred." "When I went to school, dear, there were 2s." "Well, people aren't as bony as they used to be when you went to school, tua m ma."Ch ica go Tri bu ne. L'pholsterer Needed. Tambo Mr. Banks, I see dat dey are going to send two tons of sawdust to England. Interlocutor Well, Tamlo. why are they going to send two tons of saw dust to England? TainlKj To upholster de thin peers dat's going to wear short pants ul de coronation. Very Suitable. Smytlie No one has devised a spe cial ping-pong costume as yet. rembleton No. but if tb-y do It should 1m? a suit of overalls. After you chase the balls under every piece of furniture in the room you have enough dust on you to keep a whiskbroom busy for a week. Practical View. "They tell me your wife is inclined to be romantic," said the fool friend who Is ever ready to butt in. "Yes. I suppose that Is what ails her," replied the victim of circum stances. "She sits and gazes into space for hours when she should be darning socks." Chicago Newa. Enjoyment. Father What la the use of my earn ing money If you spend it as fast as I can make It? Son That's all right, father. I en joy spending It Just as much as you do making It. Brooklyn Life. A Real Genius. Blobbs Harduppe la a pretty allck proposition. Isn't he? Slobba Slick? Why, I've seen him borrow money from a bill collector Philadelphia Record. Information for Maude. No, Maude, dear; when you buy eggs with the day of the month stamped on them It doesn't mean that the bens have been eating dates. Philadelphia Record. It Origin. Stubh Great Scott, but those dental students have a terrible yell! Where did they get it? Penn They listened to some of their patients. If They Only Would. Biggs 1 wonder where tbe file go to In the winter? Wlggs I give It up, but I wish they'd spend their summers there, too. Phila delphia Presi. Ladles' Night at the Lotos Club, Ethel Ian't he a grasping aort of cbap? Harold fierce! Why, be belonga to seventeen secret societies and knows forty -asgbt grasps Judge, OUR BUDGET OF FUN. HUMOROU8 SAYINGS AND INGS HERE AND THERE. DO- Joke and Jokelet that Arc Supposed to Have Been Recently Horn Hay Int nd Doing that Are Old, Cur loo and Laughable The Week' Uuiuor. "Oh. din r;v," ex claimed the fair ma.d wlrh the loi:ion-;:ir.cd bangs, as she accept, d tin- li.ni in ;. "what love ly liovvevs! An,: they lo'k as if they had i B t-3e-i1i--X-A'-h'tml,.. tea See, 'here is a 1 Ul" ili'iv on them." "Now, wouldn't that Jar the filling out of one's back molars?" exclaimed George. "My d.-ar girl, I paid " cents in good hard coin for those budlets, and I beg to assure you there Isn't a cent due on them." Chicago News. Somewhat IHfferent. He (after buying the ring) Were you ever in love before? She Well, not exactly. But I've lx-en engaged to half a dozen men who really bdleved they were. Neither One, "I lost ?50,0 on tbe Stock Exchange the other day." "Were you a bull or a Iwar?" "Neither. I was a donkey." New York Journal. Same Old Htory. "Say, pard, what put you on the bum?' 'asked one tramp of another. "It's a short story," replied the other. "Once I was happy and tried to be rich. What Is the answer In your case?" "About the same," replied No. 1. "Once I was rich and tried to be hap py." Heard on the Lake Front. He My love for you, darling. Is ng deep and as pure as the lake at our feet. She Yes, and you are Just as fresh. Juiit Like a Woman. "I picked this up In a pawnshop," paid the head of the house as he pro ceeded to extract a piece of antbjue bronze from an old newspaper. "Why. John," exclaimed 1 lis; other half of the labor union, "how did you manage to swipe It wiihout the pawn man seeing you?" I ncorm latency. Some people compare the trouble of this world to a rainstorm, and then de liberately go out without an umbrella. Appropriuts. Countryman Please explain this here ship to me, sir. Inventor Don't say this here ship, my friend; say that air ship. A Roiled City. "And why don't you like living in New York?" asked the caller of little Johnnie. "Oh. It's such a dirty city," replied Johnnie. "That's true," admitted the lady. "You bet." went on Johnnie; "why, sometimes I haf to have my face wash ed twice a day!" -Itoston Post. A Cal blown. Walter Any one take your order, sir? Guest Yes; the other waiter took It about an hour ago, but I forget whether I told him It waa for this month or next." Deadlock. First Man (at summer resort) Look here, sir, are you aware that I am en gaged to that young lady you went out walking with this morning? Second Man-Well, what of It? So am I. New York Hun. Real kattled. "Did you feel at all nervous when you got up to read your essay on 'The Essentials of the Essentially Essen tial' before that crowd?" "Yes," tbe sweet girl graduate re plied. "I waa awfully upset. I had no ticed Just as I walked out upon tbe stage that my left shoe string was un tied." Tbe Polite PaMenger. When tbe plainly dressed woman en tered the crowded car all the young men were too busily engaged In read ing their newspapers to node ber. Seeing which, the somewhat elderly, but well-preserved bachelor near tbe door arose. "Take this seat, madam," be said, touching It's hnt. "Well, I should say not!" rthe replied Indignantly. "You're old trough to be my grandfather. Keep It yourself." -1! Xt'4 Heroic Treatment. "Sir." began the yoith with the ceru lean tie as he stood ra the stern fath er's presence, "I dot a your daughter ami " "And I will proccoA Jo administer an antidote," Interrupted the old man, aa he proceeded to get hla best foot In. po sition for a swift kick. Chicago News. Good Gue "He Is a terrible woman hater." "Yes; I suspect that he must at some time have been a floorwalker Id a de panuient store." Puck. Pa' Idea of It. Little Willie Say, pa, what do this japer meat- by "blood money?" Pa 1 suppose, my son. It means the money In circulation. Chicago News., Their Trouble. Muggins The trouble with my wife is that she doesn't understand me. Biiggins The trouble with mine Is that she does understand me. Phila delphia Press. One Agent Kquelched. Agent 1 am agent, sir, for the Great American Universal Encyclopedia of History, Biography, Art, Science and Literature, complo in l) vol Business Man Don't need It. I mar ried a Boston girl. New Vrk Weekly, Bad Cae. Mr. Joblots-I suffer dreadfully from Insomnia. Physician Overwork, perhaps. Mr. Joblots I think so. Why, I can't even go to sleep In church'. Somervllle Journal. Kiperlence in Halting. "Did you ever salt sheep?" asked thfl farmer of the new hired baud who came from Colorado. "No," replied the n. h. h., "but I've had considerable experience In salting mines." Ohio State Journal. Why Hhe Worried. Chircmle Wot'cher worryln about, gal? Maggie O Chlminle! I wiiz a-t'lnk-Ing s'posen yer marry me like yer've promised to and take me ter Paris like, yer say yer will and load me down wit' gowns and Jewels, like yer've Rworn to h-how am I ever goin'ter smuggle 'em t'roo' de custom house w'en we gits back? Puck. A Leaaon in Ktiqnette. The Caller You are never naughty, are you? Margery Well, I shouldn't think you'd ask me that! Mamma says It Isn't good manners to hurt people's feelings. Puck. The Judge's Fault. Judge How dare you curse Iikc tuar In this court? Weary Didn't yez Jos tell me ter swear? Chicago A merican. Perfectly Eligible. St. Peter-Were you a memler of any church? Spirit No; but I bought tickets for all the church suppers and strawberry festivals. St. Peter aid. -Come In. Norrlstown Her- Fecond Appearance. "This meat," protested the boarder, "Is overdone." "Not exactly It ain't," replied the new waitress. "It's done over. This is tho j-unie meat you bad yesterday. Phil adelphia Press. He Hadn't Time. First Chauffeur-Did yon notice that j man we ran over back there Second Chauffeur No, did he a polo glze? Ohio Stale Jouniul. One and On Only, 'He has a picture of his sweetheart Inside his watch." 'Indeed! Well, he looks so happy lately, I thought there must be a wom an In the case." Philadelphia Bulletin. Just Crle. Whn tmnkes the baby cry?" asked the little visitor. "Oh." explained Ethel, "otir baby doesn't have to have anything to make It cry." Chicago Post. A to Leather. Mr. Newllwed I met Mussel to-day. He's making money in the leather business now. He says there's nothing like leather, but he'll find he's mis taken. Mr. Newllwed-DId you aak hltu to come and see us? Mr. Newllwed-Tbat's what I was going to tell you. I asked him to corne to dinner to-morrow, and I want you to make a pie. Philadelphia lrea. Relf-Kvl.lent. Mrs. Wbyte-Mr. Black can see tbe town clock from her bouse so easily that she doesn't heed to have a watch. Mr. Whyte No. All she needs to do Is to keep a watch on the cluck. Horn ervllle Journal. Hereditary. Umde Hlram-Ho yew air m blznes up tew the city, nlr yew? City Nephew Yes, lilicle. Uncle Hiram Whare 'bouts air yew located In the city? City Nephew My businesa Is princi pally at Die stock exchange. Uncle Hiram Wa al. I'll swan! Yew peer tew le a chip offen tbe ole block. When yewr ole daddy wui a young fel ler I 'low he wuz one uv the best host swappers In these here parts. ORIGINAL 8HERLOCK HOLMES. Or. Hell Kaerclaea HI "Power of Ha ductlon" on a Deerter. Now that Sherlock Holmes has ap peared, this time in a long story. It Is 'uteresting to recall his original. This ji Dr. Joseph Bell, who was one of Dr. t'onan Doyle's medical instructors. In Edinburgh. Many anecdotes are told by his former pupils Illustrating hla .lowers of deduction. The latest Is con cerning a man w ho, evidently in great distress, walked Into the hospital for treatment. "Well, what's the matter with your asked Dr. Bell. "I don't quite know, sir," replied the man. "What's your business?" "Cobbler, sir." "Ever Ihh'U anything else?" "No, sir; I've iieeu a cobbler all my life." "Well, take him In and examine him. That," said Dr. Bell to his class, when the patient had been taken Into the examination room, "Is a very odd case. The man Is a deserter from the Indian army. He knows perfectly well what's the trouble with him. but he's afraid to tell us for fear we'd know he con tracted It in India. Yet he's In so much pain that he risks coming to us. trust ing that we won't find out what's the matter with him, but still be able to re lieve him without finding out. Strange ca se." Just then the patient was brought back from tbe examination room. "Well." said Dr. Boll, "did you find any bullet wounds or salier cuts on Id m?" "Why, yes, sir." the doctor who had made the examination replied. In great surprise. "There were two bullet wounds and he had a long scar across bis left shoulder." Dr. Hell turned to the patleut. "This disease you have," he said, "was contracted in India while you were In the army. You left the army. Why didn't you go back?" Tbe man hung his head. "Why did you say you'd been a cob bler all your life? Deserter, aren't you?" "Yes, sir," faltered the patient. But that didn't surprise the class, says the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Dr. Bell was always correct In IiIb deductions. WATER RIGHTS INVIOLATE. Spring and Well in Pulentine Are Protected by l-evcre Law. As In New Mexico and Arizona, water Is the most precious thing In Palestine, anil the laws which protect springs, and wells are very severe. Most of the wells are artificial. Itlch men at very great expense have chiseled basins and reservoirs out of the rocks to receive the flow from springs, and In many places where no springs could be found they have drilled through the limestone a hundred feet, and sometimes twice that distance, to the artesian basin. None but very rich sheiks can afford such an expenditure; nevertheless, tiny have not only been the greatest bene factors Of their fellow men. but those who have sunk wells and built foun tains, have erected monuments to their fume more enduring than palaces or temples or shafts of granite, writes William E. Curtis In the Chicago lb-c-ord llerahl. The Temple of Solomon has vanished forever, but the pools which he wulied up with masonry ami tilled with water st.ll remain. The wells ' 'hat Abraham and Jacob drilled in the rock as acts of piety as well as power are as immortal as their name, and will live forever, as long as men feel thirst. According to a just custom of the country, water rights could never be forfeited. No man who owned a well ! might refuse his neighbor water for I his family or his thicks, but the lord of the spring was inviolate; no cred itor or enemy could take bis water rights inmv from blin. To In tun- i.r m, w.,.n w. u ,,,r,1.(I1.1i,,. crime. When the Philistines threw earth and stones into the well of Abraham they intended to challenge him to war of extermination. These customs and regulations remain to day. How High Bird I I). The height to which different birds attain In their flight has often been tho subject of dispute, especially among sportsmen. From observations late, ly made In Germany It would appear that the highest filer, as has always U'cn suppose!, is the eagle. This bird was seen at a height of 3.i yards. Crows also fly very high, though not to be compared with the king of birds, the greatest heights at which aeronauts have encountered them being 1,400 yards. The lark, says Imdon (Country Life, which Is usually supixised to reach great heights. In reality only soars to about 1, yards above the ground, while pigeons which were al lowed to escape at altitudes between WW yards and 3.s yards rpib kly de scended to lower regions of I he air. Could Not Mpeak English. One of the most common fault among those who apeak Incorrectly la the misuse of English preposition, "Different from" becomea "different to" in the popular eech of England, md, too' often, "different than" In America. The New York Time men flons a queer Juggling of prepositions, the achievement of two small Iniya. "VYllllaiii," asked the teacher, "why wereyou absent from school this morn ing ?" "Oh, some 'un stole me coat on me." "Wbat'a that? Htole your coat 'on your " "Aw, be can't talk English," said Wllllsm's brother James. "He means tome 'un stole bis coat off 'lin." When tbe oVcebolder loaas bis grip ba does less hajulshsklug.