, 1860-08-24
Presence Of Mind.

hibited had not been more worthy.
One day, early In the beginning Of the pres
ent century, . person, having . very gentle
manly appearance and address, arrived at the
Kings Arms, Glasgow, By the London mail.
| He was Q stranger, and apparently an English
man. His name-at least the name he gave
himself-was Edgecomb.
The stranger took up his quarters at the inn
above named, and there remained for several
weeks. puxzling the walters sadly to conjecture
who or what he could be; for be did no busi.
ness seemed TO have no acquaintance In the
town, and no apparent object or aim In making
Il place Of scjournment He, however, paid
his way handsomely, was quiet and gentlemanly
In his manners, and regular In his habits-cir.
cumstances which went far to reconcile the
good people Of the Kings Arms-masteF, mis-
tress, servants-to their unknown guest, not.
withstanding the mystery In which his history,
and the purpose Of his visit, was involved.
The manners Of the stranger, as already re-
marked, were quiet and composed; but there
was an expression Of determination, Of cool,
calm resolution in his eountenance, that gave as.
surance Of his being man Of strong mind and
unshrinking nerve.
The sequel will show that he was 30. Mr..
Edgecom6, as we call him, seeing that he 20
called himself had been about or nearly . month
guest I'D tue mug . AttuS, Wuete wv tueu Caneo
one night, shortly after dark, and desired to see
the landlord.
They were ushered into private room, where
was tie person they desired tO see.
shave you an English gentleman lodging In
the house just nowi" said one Of the men.
ave have" replied the landlord Of the Kings
Arms.
"Ilas he been here for some time" inquired the
former.
"FOr about month, think" said the lat.
ter.
"A tall man :" said the first speaker, looking
on piece Of paper which he held in his hand.
ayes"
"Dark hair, and large black whiskerss"
EYES. think so."
..Lg %.LLghs! gray eyes"
"Ronan nosei"
"Yes; exactly"
"Genilemanly appearance and manneri'
%BOthI" replied the landlord Of the Kings
Arms
"Our man, Bob" said the irst speaker, wink.
| ing to his companion.
1Haye you any notion who this person is.
whence he came, or what he iS doing hcfef"
continued the former, addressing the landlord.
"Know nothing about him, replied the lat
ter; aonly that he pays bis way and conducts
himself In al resp cts like gentleman"
els he one, though, think your" said the SoF'
mer, with an e9uivocal smile.
"Cant say" replied the landlord. Take
every man to be gentleman who conducts him
self like one"
GNot bad rule, but, like every other. Il has
exceptions" said the spokesman Of the two visit
ors, "and this l. One."
"Now, sir" he continued, %you don't know
who this man L. Wen tell you; and expect
that you viii aid rs, u need be, In the discharge
Of our duty. He Is . notorious swindler and
foFger, on whom the police Of every city In the
kingdom have long had their eye, but have hith-
ertO been unable 70 convict IN any one Of the
numerous charges brought against him, 90 dex-
terously and cautiously does he manage bis pro.
ceedings We think We have him now, how
ever, in . case Of forgery, The bill Is now ".
ing In the Council Chambers, and We have come
here with warrant 10 apprehend him. Wen
thank you, then, to show rs the gen:leman's
apartment"
The men, who were criminal officers, were
shown, though with no great alaerity, the room
occupied by Mr. EdgecOmb: They entered e,
and found that person sitting before the Gre
reading . paper, with decanter Of wine on the
table beside him
Without moving muscle. or exhibiting the
slightest discomposure, although be must have
guessed the purpose Of his unceremonious visit
ors, Eigecomb Swaited their approach, looking
steadily at them a. they advanced.
One Of the men came up to him, and, touch
ing him on the shoulder, said, You are my pris-
oncr, SIR"
"Indeed." said Edgeeomb, coOlly-nay, smil.
ing. and without rising from his seat Or betray:
ing the smallest emotion. Pray, sir, for whati"
ION charge Of forgery, sir" replied the
officer Here n NV warrant: and you'll
oblige me BY coming along with u.s."
Forgery, hA r exclaimed Edgecomb, with q
contemptuous smile. @What sort Of forgery ID
this I am charged with. my man, ehi On whom
am said b have iorgedi" he added, with the az