Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-02-21

than to leave him were he was. The
bank gentlemen said he was quite
right, and gave him ESQ for his trou-
BILE. When he returned to England,
one of the directors of the bank, who
is our chairman, sir, was compliment
ing Mr.. T upon going to Ireland,
and then Mr.. + spoke up for
me; and KNOWN as | didn't care
about the force, he told the gentleman
so, and he after a time, offered me
the place | have now, with a prospect
of a rise, if | behave myself So
you see, sir, it was, as | said, all
through a bit of letter as | got to
be mail guard"
" | am very much obliged to you,'
said |, "for your narrative; it has
amused me very much indeed" a.
am very glad to hear it, sir, :
replied the ex-detective, +" and you'll
excuse me, sir)-but | think as I've
seen you afore.'
"Very likely" said |, laughing
"your experience has doubtless led
you across my path"
Gay, l thought as much, SIR said
the guard; a see you when Mr.
- offered me the post | have ]
remember you was coming in as
left the bank"
II dare say l did, for my father
sees a great many people at the bank,
said |.
Is your father Mr.. George Somer
yilles, as lives near H when he's
at home, sir ?"
yes, said |; Il have just beer
at my uncle's house, now, and am Oh
my way to London, where my father
is at present.
Well, this is curious. sir, said the
guard, touching his cap, as should
see you here this evening, and Tn
proud to have met you, sir"
| replied, and the guard running tC
the door, exclaimed, "here's the mail
sir; if you'll show me your thing.
I'll see that they are all right.
/ And once more touching his cap
he withdrew. The mail soon drew
up, and having been comfortably be
slowed by the guard, as we spun
over the distance that lay between
s. and the metropolis, | ponder
ed on the singular story | had hear'
until fell into a doZe from which
was not thoroughly awakened unit
the train stopped "to take the tick
cts"
We were soon afterwards run int
the station, and as | stepped out 0
the carthage 1 found the guard read
, to assist me. He soon extricated m
; portmanteau from the heap at the Ell
of the platform, and insisted upo
carrying it 70 the entrance of tho OF.
I ton, for, strange as it may appear
+ there were no cabs in attendance tha
morning. As we emerged into th
street hanson drew up close to th
departure entrance, and the guar
hailing Jehu, we waited until the far
: had alighted. What was my astol
? ishment TO find that the gentlema
, who was about to take his departur
+ thus early from London was no othe
than my fathers confidential clerl
respecting whom M father had a
ready communicated his suspicious
, the letter | received the morning b,
= fore. | started involuntarily at th
sudden appearance of the very pc
! son whose affairs had come to LoI
a don to investigate, and followed hi
retreating figure with so earnest
, gaze that the guard who had bee
observing me closely, said:
BEG pardon, sir; do you kno7
that gentleman ?"
Certainly do" l replied; "I'v
come up on bis account; Mr.. Barto
;, is my fathers confidential clerk; br
: I'm afraid all is not quite right
! added thoughtfully, and in an undeI
= = tone.
81 suspect there's little gam'
here" said the guard the man a
;, is gone in here was called Byles thre
years ago."
, Twas struck with astonishment &
o this remark, and asked my companio
= if he were certain that the Soi-disa,
r Barton, was in reality Byles dtiC
= Chatham"
. : GAS certain as | stand here" r,
2 piled the guard land take my wor
for it he's after no good. If yo
h don't think me presumin' | should Liz
to hear what's up."
Z "WeH," said |, "the matter is
o confidential one; but may tell yo
a that we have reason to suspect tn;
= Mr.. Byles accounts are in a moi
i unsatisfactory condition. Can "
not interrupt him, for | think he il
! tends to bolt. y
: ave shall soon see that, sir" r,
. piled the guard, his detective natul
+ showing for moment; he will |
= easily caught, | reckon" aud as b
spoke the ex-policeman led the wa
v to the departure platform.
Here amid the crowd of peop
V who had taken their tickets and wei
S struggling to enter the different ca
S riages it was no easy matter to r
|. cognize Mr.. Barton, who had doub
j less his own reasons for eluding o.
b servation; and it was not until fly
minutes prior to the departure of til
e train that | observed him ensconce
q in corner of a third class car.
"Good morning Mr.. Barton"
It said; 'syou are off, early" os.'~s--
\ Il =