The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-29

grin.
gentleman 70 hair" returned the ronltt CON.
placently; but have something more important
10 manage; no, III tell you what, boys, I've good
mind 10 send one Of you
Good said several voices
81 know, y continued the romtt, "all about the
house AZ far as that goes, for have visited every
nook aud corner myself but still il would be vary
convenient to have somebody to let ~ in; Crib
could have opened the back door easily, but see
ing he's Gagged, Wen have To give up getting in
that way
"Hist!'' suddenly exclaimed Mr.. Beg, describing
with his finger rapid movement in the direction
Of the window. The burglars started and prickad
up their ears az they distinctly heard the sound OF
an approaching vehicle; IL was Just wheeling up
before the tavern, and Mr. Beg, who had been sent
10 reconloitre quickly retarled TO report TO the
anxious gang that it was only traveller who had
lost his way and wished to stay over night Hes
a jolly looking 'un and has a big carpet bag"
whispered Mr.. Beg.
ment the burglars started up, their fierce eyes
sparkling with eager delight but meeting The
gaze Of their chief they sullenly resumed their
seats.
qnired Dick, rubbing his hands in expectation OF
plumber.
VERY promising looking should say" re-
piled Mr.. Beg; "but what shah DO WIN the
owner:''
Fonr talow candles were now brought into the
room and the burglars held hurried conversation
as to how they should dispose of their visiter some
were for dispatching him at once, Others for
making away with him silently; but rs prolonged
discussion seemed likely to arise, Mr.. Beg was
commissioned to TO the personal comfort of the
gentleman, provide him with supper and make
ready his apartment, which last direction caused
Nr. Beg to grin from ear to car.
Mind said Dick, Ito put i'm in the room
yots got the trap door, ych il Their very model of
convenience, and Their comfortabiest room in Their
'ouse."
Mr. Beg Laughed approvingly at Mr.. Hatton's
humorous allusion to the trap door, and left his
friends To continue their consultation.
MY advice, said Dick, lis to run i'm down
ven lie /, snoozins, and drop i'm in Their vat; dead
men doesn't tell tales"
Dead men does tell tales, though interrupted
one Of the burglars, lowering his voice to an i'm
pressive whispers they come up and peach, If its
only to get a cove in trouble"
II think So too' chimcd in another, who was
known by the soubriquet Of Molecat; they'll
come up sometimes ven its VERY announcement
and troublesome. Vonce. ven l wos doing bust
ness in the pad line, in York. we ,cotetsd fell
low one night who wos very lushy. II wos
VERY good haul, an some on Us was for letting
him go; but he kept such hollerin' and threat
enng, that, arter parleying leetle, Bill Hedges
gives him knock on the head vich silenced him;
veil, afore we tossed him in the river, Bill ties
big rock to his neck TO prevent his coming up and
breeding a lot o. nasty questions; but the very
next morning the spiteful corpse comes ashore
without the rock, and holding tight onto piece
OF Bill Hedges jacket, vich wos the means OF con-
wicting him and sending him to the gallows.''
Mr.. Molecat's record of his personal experience
seemed to make but little Impression on his listen
ers, for the main subject under consideration was
resumed, and a lively debate sprung up, which
was, however, not participated in by the Tomtit.
That gentleman sat quietly listening to the vari-
Gus opinions deigning no other comment but
occasional nod of his head. 1t was evident that
the burglars were unanimously in favor of instantly
destroying the traveller, though they essentially
varied in their proposed plan Of operations.
~ n. rl.nl n. Ia 4.r'z tn
nance during the progress of the conversation, but
il looked stoidly Indifferent.
''vo,'s YET opinion, Tomtit," he inquired anx-
icusly "Ant yer going TO say nothing"
.'Of course am, replied Tomtit, planting his
legs defaatly the table; my opinion l. the
opinion that's got 10 be adopted, and no chatter
ing. Now, look here, continued he, fixing his
restless eyes on the group, you all want to make
way with this traveller
That's So" exclaimed the burglars
and ! : continued uomtit cooily, lam for let
ting him yo.o
Ii would be impossible 10 describe the effect
productivity this decision. The burglar jumped
.up. ana oaihs and imprecations Of every descrip-
'tion We're showered on their leader.
u say" repeated the chief unmoved b. the
threatening attitude Of his men, he shall 60
free--not hair u bis head shall be touched; and
who darcs objccU' His stern, gray eyes glanced
Gom burglar TO burglar, and they involuatary
quaiiod before their defiant CLEAN.
NOW listen, you fools 10 my reasons con
timed the romtit, angrily, rs the oyerawed VII
lians shrank back into their seats. "You all know
next week We d heavy job in the whole sale
line; after its done we must Keep dark: the se-s
i the only place we are safe in, and here We must
remain i'll the matter blows over; but II this man
il missed. between that and the job thereH b.
such hue and cry raised that We won't dare %
show our heads: now do you unier.tanlY'
"Ve, s'pose We run the horse aud wagon up
the country and hitch his clothes by the side Nv
the river vich viii look as though h. circunwont-
ed hmself!' suggested Mr.. Molecat
4, .t.s ~, IA hnnl apsana ,.fa.
Now then, what would you get for the pains
taking anu risk Why, just carpet bag, and
maybe few triaes: people amt such fools a. you
take them, to go tagging money round the coun.
try-therc would be plenty Of questions asked
about the carpet bag, and likely enough the horse
mi ght take II into his head 20 como back-horses
amt fools either observed the Tomtit, sarcasti-
cally.
Mr.. Molecat scratched his head, a. an express
sivc indication that the argument was unanswcr
able, and short pause ensued.
WELL" remarked Dick Hatton. breaking the
silence, "ther Tomtt's right. l s'pose. but IL
does look sorter hard arter the birds cotchci to
perwent the picking Of i'm. It's mean, that's vot
II isl"
The Tsm :: :. ;sS 20 sosH
himself, and called Mr.. Beg into an adjoining
Where t the mani" said he.
lin the back room, eating his supper was that
worthy reply; "you can peep At h.m easy
enough, for eft the door on The swing
The Tomtt accordingly crept steaithily into the
passage, aud getting on his hands and knees, OBJ
iainel a very excellent view of the stranger who
wa quietly proceeding with his meal Scarcely,
however, hal the Tomtts restless eye pecred
within, than lac gave . start OF surprise, and re-
treated Immediately.
"Hcre, Bex," he whispered, In an excited tone.
a. that individual followed aim back again 90 the
priya;s room; here's a confoundcd g. Who do
you suppose that man ~"
Mr. beg. of course, intima.ed that he dida't
knew whereupon the Tomt.' looking around to
satisfy him elf they were alone, brought his hanl
III the form VI q trumpet close 10 Mr.. Beg's car,
an whispered;
"lt's Dufy,'
Mr. Beg's face turned DEADLY pale.
'sMhat" he whispered, 1.-The d,tectiycs'
'sTLc sane rcjoinci the Tomtit, with an expres-
sion plainly denoting his agitation. Who or
what should bring him here alone, | neither know
nor can guesa-Beg. keep this from the boys. they
are savage eaough now. bat il they should nnd out
iue ruth. ! couldn't control en-. They would
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