The Sleuths
In The Big City a man will disappear with the suddenness and completenessof the flame of a candle that is blown out. All the agencies ofinquisition -- the hounds of the trail, the sleuths of the city'slabyrinths, the closet detectives of theory and induction -- will beinvoked to the search. Most often the man's face will be seen no more.Sometimes he will reappear in Sheboygan or in the wilds of Terre Haute,calling himself one of the synonyms of "Smith," and without memory ofevents up to a certain time, including his grocer's bill. Sometimes itwill be found, after dragging the rivers, and polling the restaurants tosee if he may be waiting for a well-done sirloin, that he has moved nextdoor.This snuffing out of a human being like the erasure of a chalk man from ablackboard is one of the most impressive themes in dramaturgy.The case of Mary Snyder, in point, should not be without interest.A man of middle age, of the name of Meeks, came from the West to New Yorkto find his sister, Mrs. Mary Snyder, a widow, aged fifty-two, who hadbeen living for a year in a tenement house in a crowded neighbourhood.At her address he was told that Mary Snyder had moved away longer than amonth before. No one could tell him her new address.On coming out Mr. Meeks addressed a policeman who was standing on thecorner, and explained his dilemma."My sister is very poor," he said, "and I am anxious to find her. I haverecently made quite a lot of money in a lead mine, and I want her to sharemy prosperity. There is no use in advertising her, because she cannotread."The policeman pulled his moustache and looked so thoughtful and mightythat Meeks could almost feel the joyful tears of his sister Mary droppingupon his bright blue tie."You go down in the Canal Street neighbourhood," said the policeman, "andget a job drivin' the biggest dray you can find. There's old women alwaysgettin' knocked over by drays down there. You might see 'er among 'em.If you don't want to do that you better go 'round to headquarters and get'em to put a fly cop onto the dame."At police headquarters, Meeks received ready assistance. A general alarmwas sent out, and copies of a photograph of Mary Snyder that her brotherhad were distributed among the stations. In Mulberry Street the chiefassigned Detective Mullins to the case.The detective took Meeks aside and said:"This is not a very difficult case to unravel. Shave off your whiskers,fill your pockets with good cigars, and meet me in the cafe of the Waldorfat three o'clock this afternoon."Meeks obeyed. He found Mullins there. They had a bottle of wine, whilethe detective asked questions concerning the missing woman."Now," said Mullins, "New York is a big city, but we've got the detectivebusiness systematized. There are two ways we can go about finding yoursister. We will try one of 'em first. You say she's fifty-two?""A little past," said Meeks.The detective conducted the Westerner to a branch advertising office ofone of the largest dailies. There he wrote the following "ad" andsubmitted it to Meeks:"Wanted, at once -- one hundred attractive chorus girls for a new musicalcomedy. Apply all day at No.- Broadway."Meeks was indignant."My sister," said he, "is a poor, hard-working, elderly woman. I do notsee what aid an advertisement of this kind would be toward finding her.""All right," said the detective. "I guess you don't know New York. Butif you've got a grouch against this scheme we'll try the other one. It'sa sure thing. But it'll cost you more.""Never mind the expense," said Meeks; "we'll try it."The sleuth led him back to the Waldorf. "Engage a couple of bedrooms anda parlour," he advised, "and let's go up."This was done, and the two were shown to a superb suite on the fourthfloor. Meeks looked puzzled. The detective sank into a velvet armchair,and pulled out his cigar case."I forgot to suggest, old man," he said, "that you should have taken therooms by the month. They wouldn't have stuck you so much for em."By the month!" exclaimed Meeks. "What do you mean?""Oh, it'll take time to work the game this way. I told you it would costyou more. We'll have to wait till spring. There'll be a new citydirectory out then. Very likely your sister's name and address will be init."Meeks rid himself of the city detective at once. On the next day some oneadvised him to consult Shamrock Jolnes, New York's famous privatedetective, who demanded fabulous fees, but performed miracles in the wayof solving mysteries and crimes.After waiting for two hours in the anteroom of the great detective'sapartment, Meeks was shown into his presence. Jolnes sat in a purpledressing-gown at an inlaid ivory chess table, with a magazine before him,trying to solve the mystery of "They." The famous sleuth's thin,intellectual face, piercing eyes, and rate per word are too well known toneed description.Meeks set forth his errand. "My fee, if successful, will be $500," saidShamrock Jolnes.Meeks bowed his agreement to the price."I will undertake your case, Mr. Meeks," said Jolnes, finally. "Thedisappearance of people in this city has always been an interestingproblem to me. I remember a case that I brought to a successful outcome ayear ago. A family bearing the name of Clark disappeared suddenly from asmall flat in which they were living. I watched the flat building for twomonths for a clue. One day it struck me that a certain milkman and agrocer's boy always walked backward when they carried their waresupstairs. Following out by induction the idea that this observation gaveme, I at once located the missing family. They had moved into the flatacross the hall and changed their name to Kralc."Shamrock Jolnes and his client went to the tenement house where MarySnyder had lived, and the detective demanded to be shown the room in whichshe had lived. It had been occupied by no tenant since her disappearance.The room was small, dingy, and poorly furnished. Meeks seated himselfdejectedly on a broken chair, while the great detective searched the wallsand floor and the few sticks of old, rickety furniture for a clue.At the end of half an hour Jolnes had collected a few seeminglyunintelligible articles -- a cheap black hat pin, a piece torn off atheatre programme, and the end of a small torn card on which was the word"left" and the characters "C 12."Shamrock Jolnes leaned against the mantel for ten minutes, with his headresting upon his hand, and an absorbed look upon his intellectual face.At the end of that time he exclaimed, with animation:"Come, Mr. Meeks; the problem is solved. I can take you directly to thehouse where your sister is living. And you may have no fears concerningher welfare, for she is amply provided with funds -- for the present atleast."Meeks felt joy and wonder in equal proportions."How did you manage it?" he asked, with admiration in his tones.Perhaps Jolnes's only weakness was a professional pride in his wonderfulachievements in induction. He was ever ready to astound and charm hislisteners by describing his methods."By elimination," said Jolnes, spreading his clues upon a little table, "Igot rid of certain parts of the city to which Mrs. Snyder might haveremoved. You see this hatpin? That eliminates Brooklyn. No womanattempts to board a car at the Brooklyn Bridge without being sure that shecarries a hatpin with which to fight her way into a seat. And now I willdemonstrate to you that she could not have gone to Harlem. Behind thisdoor are two hooks in the wall. Upon one of these Mrs. Snyder has hungher bonnet, and upon the other her shawl. You will observe that thebottom of the hanging shawl has gradually made a soiled streak against theplastered wall. The mark is clean-cut, proving that there is no fringe onthe shawl. Now, was there ever a case where a middle-aged woman, wearinga shawl, boarded a Harlem train without there being a fringe on the shawlto catch in the gate and delay the passengers behind her? So we eliminateHarlem."Therefore I conclude that Mrs. Snyder has not moved very far away. Onthis torn piece of card you see the word "Left," the letter "C," and thenumber "12." Now, I happen to know that No. 12 Avenue C is a first-classboarding house, far beyond your sister's means -- as we suppose. But thenI find this piece of a theatre programme, crumpled into an odd shape.What meaning does it convey. None to you, very likely, Mr. Meeks; but itis eloquent to one whose habits and training take cognizance of the smallest things."You have told me that your sister was a scrub woman. She scrubbed thefloors of offices and hallways. Let us assume that she procured such workto perform in a theatre. Where is valuable jewellery lost the oftenest,Mr. Meeks? In the theatres, of course. Look at that piece of programme,Mr. Meeks. Observe the round impression in it. It has been wrappedaround a ring -- perhaps a ring of great value. Mrs. Snyder found thering while at work in the theatre. She hastily tore off a piece of aprogramme, wrapped the ring carefully, and thrust it into her bosom. Thenext day she disposed of it, and, with her increased means, looked abouther for a more comfortable place in which to live. When I reach thus farin the chain I see nothing impossible about No. 12 Avenue C. It is therewe will find your sister, Mr. Meeks."Shamrock Jolnes concluded his convincing speech with the smile of asuccessful artist. Meeks's admiration was too great for words. Togetherthey went to No. 12 Avenue C. It was an old-fashioned brownstone housein a prosperous and respectable neighbourhood.They rang the bell, and on inquiring were told that no Mrs. Snyder wasknown there, and that not within six months had a new occupant come to thehouse.When they reached the sidewalk again, Meeks examined the clues which hehad brought away from his sister's old room."I am no detective," he remarked to Jolnes as he raised the piece oftheatre programme to his nose, "but it seems to me that instead of a ringhaving been wrapped in this paper it was one of those round peppermintdrops. And this piece with the address on it looks to me like the end ofa seat coupon -- No. 12, row C, left aisle."Shamrock Jolnes had a far-away look in his eyes."I think you would do well to consult Juggins," said he."Who is Juggins?" asked Meeks."He is the leader," said Jolnes, "of a new modern school of detectives.Their methods are different from ours, but it is said that Juggins hassolved some extremely puzzling cases. I will take you to him."They found the greater Juggins in his office. He was a small man withlight hair, deeply absorbed in reading one of the bourgeois works ofNathaniel Hawthorne.The two great detectives of different schools shook hands with ceremony,and Meeks was introduced."State the facts," said Juggins, going on with his reading.When Meeks ceased, the greater one closed his book and said:"Do I understand that your sister is fifty-two years of age, with a largemole on the side of her nose, and that she is a very poor widow, making ascanty living by scrubbing, and with a very homely face and figure?""That describes her exactly," admitted Meeks. Juggins rose and put on hishat."In fifteen minutes," he said, "I will return, bringing you her presentaddress."Shamrock Jolnes turned pale, but forced a smile.Within the specified time Juggins returned and consulted a little slip ofpaper held in his hand."Your sister, Mary Snyder," he announced calmly, "will be found at No.162 Chilton street. She is living in the back hall bedroom, five flightsup. The house is only four blocks from here," he continued, addressingMeeks. "Suppose you go and verify the statement and then return here.Mr. Jolnes will await you, I dare say."Meeks hurried away. In twenty minutes he was back again, with a beamingface."She is there and well!" he cried. "Name your fee!""Two dollars," said Juggins.When Meeks had settled his bill and departed, Shamrock Jolnes stood withhis hat in his hand before Juggins."If it would not be asking too much," he stammered -- "if you would favourme so far -- would you object to --""Certainly not," said Juggins pleasantly. "I will tell you how I did it.You remember the description of Mrs. Snyder? Did you ever know a womanlike that who wasn't paying weekly instalments on an enlarged crayonportrait of herself? The biggest factory of that kind in the country isjust around the corner. I went there and got her address off the books.That's all."
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