The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-10

light as lie went down the road to the lake.
Major Keene briefly concluded that if
John Wilkinson travelled the direct line
from Greyville, he must have taken the six
O'Clock morning train from that place in
order to reach here at night and since the
boat with Britton's cloak was not discov-
cred until eight o'clock, and no man by the
name of Wilkinson had been stopping at
Greyville, suspicion began to gather closely
about the mysterious Wilkinson.
Major Keene went to New York that
night, on his track, established himself in
that city and opened communication with
the police force there. He was soon on
the trail Of Wilkinson, who lie was sure
was hiding in New York
The Chief of police there, however, diff
fered from him in this opinion. 1t ap-
peared that a man calling himself oval
singham," with dark eyes and auburn
beard, had embarked in Liverpool on the
same day that Wilkinson arrived at New
| York.
The New York chief was positive that he
was the right man, but Major Keene was
bent on hunting down another, and soon
came upon the track of John Wilkinson,
who had engaged lodgings at an obscure
boarding-house. This man appeared to
shun observation and looked warily about
him when he entered the house. His eyes
were dark and piercing and he had heavy
reddish brown beard.
The major walked up to his room one
day to arrest him, when to his dsmay, he
| found the fugitive had escaped through the
roof, leaving behind a carpet bag which
contained nothing that gave any clue to his
identity except a somewhat faded photo
graph of Helen Gordon. This the major
triumphantly displayed to the New York
chief who winked little doubtfrly, but
Immediately ordered a pursuit, which re-
suited in the arrest of n man with bushy
auburn beard, on board mall craft Just
getting under way for Halifax.
All the information the prisoner vouch-
safed with regard to himsel was the name
of John Wilkinson"
Three days after hsdeparture received
from the major the following despatch:
"Johns l have the bird, but he won't
divulge. Meet me at the depot and identify
him."
| met them at the depot, and at once
recognized my mysterious visitor, more ca
daverous and melancholy than ever lie
affected not to rememberme land preserved
his answering reticence to the last.
At the majors suggestion, despatched
to Miss Gordon requesting her presence at
the office, not knowing any one else who
would be likely to know Grentham.
She arrived soon after we did, looking
flushed and excited, not knowing why she
was summoned.
Her name had been mentioned before
the prisoner who sat wrapped in his moody
silence.
Miss Gordon came forward exclaimed
impulsively:
80 Major Keene, what is it? Have they
found Edward?" She could not say the
body"
At the sound of her voice the prisoner
started up and exclaimed
Helen y
She looked wildly round, gazed at him
bewildcred, then cried Edward o Ed
swOoned on his breast.
Somehow in the melee, the auburn beard
had disappeared, and n stern but handsome
face with trm-cut dark brown whskcrs,
was looking anxiously at the white face ON
his arm.
For once in his life, the major was most
dreadfuly compounded. He split water
over Miss Gordon, upset the table and IA
stove, and looked frightened,
AS soon as the lady showed signs of re-
covering, Britton, for we had no doubt it
was he, addressed the major, dryly:
Il presume sir, am no longer TO be con-
sidered under arrest for my own murder?"
Hang it, no !" cried the furious major.
"You need not have made all tins trouble,
though"
Britton retorted something about not in
terfering with the course Of the law, but |
did not quite hear, as his head was bent
earnestly over Miss Gordon, who was now
sobbing hysterically.
AS we appeared to be somewhat de trOp,
the major drew me into an inner room.
"Confound my luck ~ he exclaimed
sinking into chair in an attitude of de
spair "Pd rather have given five thousand
dollars than this had happened, Johns
That rascal deserves hanging for serving