Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives: Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the DetectivesPinkerton, Allan
History
Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives: Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the Detectives
Pinkerton, Allan
Detective and mystery stories; Detectives
As soon as Mrs. Sanford learned that he had money with him, she became
very affectionate indeed, telling him that she would make him more
comfortable than he could be anywhere else, and that she would treat him
like a prince. She introduced Morton as her brother, and said that they
would all go to the theatre together. At first, Barlow refused, but she
insisted so urgently, that he finally consented to go. He went away for
an hour to get his valise, and when he returned, Mrs. Sanford was
dressed in her most stylish clothes, as if determined to make the best
possible impression upon him. He was very good-natured and boyish,
apparently believing all she told him, and laughing at all her attempts
to be funny. After leaving the theatre, she learned that one of her old
acquaintances was to have a "grand opening" in a new saloon, and she was
obstinately determined to find the place. After walking about for an
hour, she called a hackman, and offered him five dollars to find this
new saloon, where she was anxious to take a drink, as she said, "for
good luck and old acquaintance' sake." After driving about until
midnight, she learned that the opening was postponed, and they then went
to a restaurant near her house to get supper. It was two o'clock before
they went to bed, but before going, Mrs. Sanford learned that Barlow was
to receive his pay for the cattle in a check for over four thousand
dollars. She talked with him about the risk of carrying money around on
the person, and told him that he ought to buy bonds, as then they would
not be lost even if they should be stolen. He agreed with her, and said
that he would try to buy some bonds when he got his check cashed.
The next morning they took breakfast with Mrs. Sanford, as she seemed
anxious to keep Barlow with her as much as possible. It was noticeable
that she did not, as she had usually done in all previous instances,
tell him anything about young Trafton, who had died in her house, "with
eighteen thousand dollars in bonds in his boots." She told Barlow that
she had some bonds, and he would do well to get the same kind.
"I don't know much about them," he replied, "but if _you_ think they are
good, I guess they are good enough for me. What are they like? I never
saw any."
"I will show you mine," said Mrs. Sanford. "I am going to sell one of
them soon, as my lease is up at the end of the month, and I want to buy
a house."
She then went into her bedroom, closed the door, and remained several
minutes. When she came out, she had a fat pocket-book in her hand, and
she took from it the two pieces of folded paper which she had shown to
Morton. On opening them, she spread them out, and both Barlow and Morton
saw the numbers plainly, as they looked over her shoulder.
"There, these little tickets are coupons," she explained to Barlow; "and
every six months I can get fifteen dollars in gold by cutting off one
from each bond."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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