The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-22

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| "Mind laid Dics. .sto put i'm in the room
| yot,s sol the trsp-door yich il Their VERY
model of co.. wenience, and the comfortaolest
MI Reg laughed approvingly at Mr.. Hat
| ton,s hu aorous allusion to the trap door and
| left his friends to continue their consultation
| aMy advice, 4" said Dick. "is TO run i'm down
ven he's snoozipg, and drop i'm in Their vat ,
dead men doesn't tell tales"
Dead men does tell tales, though, inter-
rnpted one of the burglars, lowering his voice
to an impressive whisper; They come up and
peach, IL It's only to get cove in trouble -
Il think so, too" chimed In another. who
was known by the soubriquet of Molecat ;
"they III come up sometimes ven its VERY In
convenient and troublesome. Vonce ven
wos doing business in the pad line, la York
We cotched fellow one night who wos VERY
lushy. 1t was a VERY good haul an some on
us was for letting him 60; but he Kept such
hoiiorin' and threatening that, arter parley-
ing a leetle, Bill Hedges gives him knock on
the head vich silenced him; veil, aiore we
tossed him in the river, Bill ties a big rock to
his neck TO prevent his coming up and breed
ing a lot o nasty questions but the VERY
next morning the spttefnl corpse comes ashore
without the rock, and holding tight onto a
piece OF Bill Hedges jacket, vich wos the
means of convincing him and sending him 10
the gallows."
Mr. Molecat's record of his personal expe-
rience seemed to make but little impression on
| his listeners, for the main subject under con-
sidsration was resumed, and a lively debate
sprung up, which was, however, not particl-
pa ted IN by the Tomut.
That gentleman sat quietly listening to the
various opinions, deignlng no other comment
than an occasional nod of his head. 1t was
evident that the burglars were unanimously
Ia favor of instantly destroying the traveller !;
though they essentially varied in their pro-
posed plans OF operation.
Mr.. Dick Hatton watched his leaders coun-
tenance during the progress of the converse
| ton, but it looRsd stolidly Indifferent.
"Vors yer OF inion, Tontitl" he inquired
anxiously. "A.nt yer going 10 say nothing -
"Oi course l am replied Tomtit, planting
his legs defantly on the table; my opinion is
the opinion that's got TO be adopted, and no
chattering. Now, look here" continued he,
liking his restless eyes on the group. you all
want TO make way with this traveller -
That's So" exclaimed the burglars.
"Aud l." continued Tomut, coolly, "am for
letting him GO"
1t would be impossible TO describe the effect
produced by this decision. The burglars
jumped up, and oaths ana imprecations Of
every description We're shoWeTed on their
leader.
Il say" repeated the chief, unTloved by the
threatening attitude of his men, he shall go
free-uota hair of his head shall be touched
and who dares object !" His stern, grey eyes
glanced from burglar to burglar, and they
Involuntary qualied before their defiant
CLEAN.
Now listen, You FOOLS TO my reasons con-
tinued the Tomtit, angrily, as TIE OVeraWed
villains shrank back into their seats. " GU
all know next week we do heavy JOB in the
wholesale line; after it's done we must keep
dark the Nest is tine only place we are safe
in, aud here must remain Jill the matter
blows over; but, II this man is missed, be-
tween that and the job therelI be such hue
and cry raised that We won't dare 10 show our
heads no " do you understand -
"Eeli pose we run the horse and wagon
up the country, and hitch his clothes by the
side Of the river. yich will look AS though he
circumwented himself" suggested Mr.. Mole
cat.
Tho Tomtit shook his head rOntemntuousIy
Now, then, what would you get for the
panstaking and risk Why, just carpet
bag and may be a few trifleS people Amt such
fOuls as you take them, TO 20 Juggling money
round the couutry-there would be plenty of
ques lions asked abou the carpet-bag and like
~ enough the horse might take it into his head
10 come back-horses aint fools either OBJ
served the Tomtit, sarcas tically.
Mr.. Molecat scratched his head, as an ex-
pressive indication that he argument was I'M
answerable, and a short pause enSued.
yell" tmarked Dick Hatton, breaking the
silence, I" Their Tomtlts right, l s'pose, but it
does look sorter hard arter the birds cotched
TO perwent the picking OF i'm. Its mean,
that's yot it is !"
The Tomut vouchsafed no reply to this
sul!en speech, but lighting fresh cigar, he
rose, shook himself, aud called Mr.. Beg into
an adjoining apartment.
"Wnere is the man = said he.
"ln the back room, eating his supper" was
that worthy's reply; You can peep at MIN
easy enough, for left the door on the swing
The Tomlit accordingly crept stealthily into
the passage, and getting on his hands an
knees obtained very excellent view of the
stranger, who was quietly proceeding with
his meal. Scarcely, however, had the Tom
tit's restless eye peered within, than he gave
a start of surprise, and retreated Immedl-
ately.
Here, Beg" he whispered, in an excited
tone, as that individual followed him back
again to the private room here's con-
founded 60. VINO do you suppose that man
is -
Mr. Beg, of course intmated that he didn't
know, whereupon the Tomtit, looking around
10 satisfy himself they were alone, brought
his hand in the form of trumpet close to Mr..
Beg's ear, and whispered
yrs DuDy'"
MT Beg's face turned deathly pale.
what he whispered, 1.-The Detective -
"1he same" relolned the TOmut, with an
expression plainly denoting his agitation
"Who or what should bring him here alone, l
neither know or can guess-Beg keep this
from the boys, they are savage enough now,
| but if they should find out the truth, couldn't
| control en. They would tear this man TO
pieces, but, Beg, that mustn't be- they must bs
| led of for it would be the worst thing yet TO
| Kill him; he would be missed as sure us preach
ing.''
"Is this the one who has been trying so long
| to find our Nest !" inquired Beg.
The very same replied Tomut. " You
| know the State government has offered q
ward OF over five thousand dollars for the dis
coYery of our whereabouts, and this DuHy
not so much for the possession OF the reward
as some private aim he aInt Il regular De-
tective, or he might be led of; years ago he
was on our track. l have been watching him
all along, designing 10 finish him when a good
opportunlty offered, but the why scoundrel
managed to escape me he may disguise him
self as much as he likes, he can't cheat me-
Hes disguised, then p said Mr.. Beg,
amazed afresh.
"Of course he is-that fairness ISN'T real. He
thinks he's unknown to me, but I'll pay him
off yet" rejoined the Tomtit, wit u silent I'M
precation. " III get rid Of him, bat 1t mustn't
be done here. Now, then, Beg listen Fetch
me lantern and the key OF the - 1ou UNI
ders tand me"
Beg nodded his head and flew off with ALAG
rity. No one entertained greater admtra-
ton OF the Tomtit than that gentleman; he
regarded him with the same difference deg
would show TO his master, and was cOntenLed
as long he could testify his servlle affection;
he QUICKLY returned with the lantern and key,
and 10 his great surprise found the burglar
chief absorbed in the con empiation Of The
miniature of Ii young glrl seemingly some
seven teen years OF age, and OF SURPRISING love-
illness and heard him mutter, "He certainly
has good cause 10 hate me, but l would have
spared HIM mad he kept away from the Nest
Now however he has rushed upon his doom -
Then, becoming aware OF Beg'S presence, the
Tomiit hastily thrust the picture in his be-
SON. and turning 10 the inn-keeper, whis-
pered
Let me out by the back door, Beg"
| "All right" was the quiet response.
| mot q word 10 the boys, mind If they miss
| me, tell 'em I'ye gone 10 bed"
| The Tomtit, with this parting caution, made
his exit from the door, which Mr.. Beg held
open, and walked rapidly Oft.
| The faithful custodian OF the Burglars Nest
| stood for few minutes listening, tllI the re-
! treating footsteps OF the burglar chief had
| died away in the distance; then he carefully
| closed and relocked the door, and returned To
| the bar, there To muse over the surprising and
| startling disclosures which the Tomtit had
| made to him.
| Ii was one OF those remarkable circums tan j.
| cps that sometimes happen i'll real life, that