The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-31

angry lights at the rear Of the carriages
disappear with quickening speed round q
curve.
"Well, Pm off," exclaimed the clerk
"good luck to you, Captain" ana ne
vanished in the darkness. -,
"Now, where on earth are we TO go =
said nv friend. 81 only thought Of coming
to Downley because it was, ! supposed, q
quiet, retired place but l don't know the
| neighborhood." ua
~ do" I said, "follow me-" BE followed
me accordingly, and I told him that l
would take him to the little inn at which
/ + usually lodged, and where could obtain
q bed for him. The latter offer he de-
clined. He said he would just wash, ana
have some bread and cheese, and then walk
across the country to town be named,
some few miles off. I, Of course, allowed
him TO decide on his own movements WIN
out comment, and in few minutes We
arrived at my inn, which was, luckily a
good way out Of Downley in our directioh.
Tired and splashed as he was, for the nigh.
was still wet and tempestuous, the oihcer
decided upon having "his crust" as he
called it, which turned out TO DC w
hearty meal of cold roast beet, before re-
freshing himself with wash. theh tooh !,
him nm stairs TO nv room, and as we crossed
the landing he said, pointing TO sta'f-
10y =" Where does that fight lead to :"
| uOb. only to the back yard OF the
house,' / replied, and we entered:
| had obtained two candles, and he went,
taking his yalise with him into the dress
| ing room, while l sorted some papers
which I had brought down with me. l
heard him washing, and in minute or two,
hearing footstep coming from the Draw
ing-room, looked up. rccoiled with an
exclamation of alarm, for there stood
man in a moleskin jacket and trousers
cloth cap, shaven face, and close-cut hair.
"Who are you 2" exclaimed, grasplng
nv chair as a possible weapon OF defence.
"Oh, it's all right, / should say, If you
don't know me-" said the man; and re-
cognized the voice Of Captain de Mortimer
What :" cried, more astonished thar
before. "In The name Of all that is won
derful, what does this mean %
"You are not a bad fellow, but you are
| very green" returned the voice; ga
greater spoony I never saw--nor better.
hearted one. Why, old fellow, you stare
as if you had never read of sham
moustache or beard. Goodbye, old chap
YOU have made mistake tonight, that's
| all; and our sharp young friend Of the
telegraph department has made much
greater. l won't ask you to shake hands
with me again, because you are gentle.
man and J. man of honor, though SOFT, and
| / am rogue but take this"
AS he spoke he offered me ring.
81 don't want" l began.
Nonsense" said he; stake it, 1t is
one of the few things which are really and
honestly my own; believe me for once
when tell you I have had that ring for
twenty years. That's right. l wish you
luck. Goodbye"
He was gone vaiise, moleSkin clothes.
felt cap, and all. l heard him run stealth
ily down the back stairs, and 1 never saw
him again. l had disturbed sleep that
night, dreaming Of officers, both OF the
| army and Of the police, and woke very
little refreshed liz the morning. Luckily
the weather was now fine, and my business
demanded that I should be in Downley
early.
AS I entered the market place | saw
several small groups staring at pfacards
evidently newly fixed; indeed, man was
posting one up as got there. l naturally
stoned to see what it was about, and sa"
it was headed, in bold type, Robbery
Five Hundred Pounds Reward" 1t Wen'
on to describe the appearance OF Mr.. JONI
Macely in such language as left very llttle
doubt as to who was my companion OF
the preceding evening.