Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-05
= when he's at home,

SIT
YES" said [ ; 81 have Just been at
my uncle's house, now, and am ON nv
way to London, where my father is at
present"
"Well, this is curious, SIR said the
guard, touching his cap, 'as | shonld see
you here this evening, and I'm proud to
have met you. SIR
[ replied, and the guard running to the
door, exclaimed, heres the mail, sir; if
you'll show me your things I'll see that
they are all right
And once more touching his cap, he with
drew. The mail soon drew up, and having
been comfortably bestowed by the guard,
as we spun over the distance that lay
between S and the metropolis, [ pom
dered ON the singular story | had heard
until fell into dose from which | was
not thoroughly awakened until the train
stopped to take the tickets"
We were soon afterwards run into the
station, and as [ stepped out of the car
riage | found the guard ready to assist
me. He soon extricated my portmanteau
from the heap at the end of the platform,
and insisted upon carrying it to the en-
trance of the station, for, strange as it
may appear, there were no cabs in attend
ance that morning As VIC emerged into
the street a hanson drew up close to the
" "departure " entrance, and the guard hail
ing Jehu, we waited until the fare had al
lighted. What was my astonishment to
find that the gentleman who was about to
take his departure thus ear y from London
was no other than my fathers confidential
clerk, respecting whom my father had al
ready communicated his suspicious in the
letter | received the morning before. |
started involuntarily at the sudden ap-
pearance of the very person whose affairs
| had come to London to investigate, and
followed his retreating figure with so ear
nest gaze that the guard, who had been
observing me closely, said -
Beg pardon, sir; do you know that
gentleman"
&" Certainly [ do" [ replied I've
come up on his account Mr. Barton is
my fathers confidential clerk; but I'm
afraid all is not quite right" l added
thoughtfully, and i'll an undertone.
4" suspect theresa little game here,
said the guard the man as is gone in
there was called Byles three years ago"
! was struck with astonishment at this
remark, and asked my companion if he
were certain that the Soi-disam Barton,
was in reality Byles alas Chatham"
As certain as [ stand here" replied
the guard land take my word for it he's
after no good If you don't think me
presumin' | should like to hear what's
up"
Well" said l, '.the matter is conf
Dental one but | may tell you that we
have reason to suspect that Mr.. Byles's
accounts are IN most Unsatisfactory con-
dition. Can We not interrupt him, for L
think he intends to bolt
We shall soon see that, sir" replied
the guard, his detective nature showing
for a moment; "he will be easily caught,
reckon, and as he spoke the ex-police-
man led the way to the departure plat
form
Here amid the crowd OF people who had
taken their tickets and were struggling to
enter the different carriages it was no easy
matter to recognize Mr.. Barton, who had
doubtless his own reasons for eluding OBJ
servation and it was not until five min
utes prior TO the departure of the train
that observed him ensconced in a corner
of third class car.
Good morning, Mr.. Barton" [ said
you are off early
The person addressed changed color as
he recognized me but Immediately recov-
ering his selt-possession replied
Yes sir, Mr.. Somerville wished me TO
see c. q Co. respecting those bills we
hold, as soon as possible, and | am on my
way down.
But they are all right for my father
told me so last week. [ said.
Yes sir" said the clerk, but my
mothers very ill-dying l fear, and as
Mr.. Somerville kindly told me to go down
to r, | said Ia do the bills too
And having given vent 10 this contradic-
tory speech, the clerk blew his nose most
violently.
The cool way in which this was said,
and the cool looks of the other occupants
of the compartment, at any other time
would have quieted my suspicious, but
gentle touch upon my arm reminded me of
the presence of the guard, and | therefore
said loudly, 90, you are going to F."
As spoke, the guard said suddenly,
and touching his hat respectfully, Beg
your pardon, sir; did you say you was 60
ing to F."
No 1 replied, but this gentleman
is" Indicating Mr.. Barton as [ spoke
Very sorry" continued the guard,
" but he can't 20 by this train; he must
wait for the parliamentary at S:15. Tick
cts, please" he added, suddenly open
ing the door. All the tickets with the ex-
ception of the clerks were Immediately
produced. - Now, sir, your ticket, please
said the guard, thus brought to bay, Byles
alias Barton, had no alternative, so he
handed the guard his ticket, and suddenly
rising, attempted to leave the carriage,
but the detective was too quick for him.
Before the clerks foot had touched the
platform grasp was laid upon his collar,
and the carriage door closed. Il thought
as much,' said the guard, as he looked at
the ticket, holding the unhappy Barton the
while g thought SO going abroad was
you, sir ? but want you for a moment"
He then, asking me to open the door,
descended from the carriage, forcing Bar
ton to follow him, when having gained the
platform, he whispered few words In his
ear. The man grew as pale as death, ex-
claiming, " never did | swear L never
did
At that moment the whistle sounded,
and with hiss and scream the train
moved away. Life. liberty, hope-all
seemed vanished from the unhappy wretch
as the carriage moved away, and with an
almost superhuman effort he wrenched him