Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-12

Aon ioioouJ, pecduSe you
abandoned the possession of the bonds vol
unfairly. No, don't seen how you can
touch him. You must make a BANKRUPT
OF him, and then you can pursue him, as
having fraudulently carried off his assets"
But that advice was no good to me. 1
think l was wrong in taking it. 1 think l
ought to have gone straight off to the DO
lice office, and put it in the hands of the
detectives. Dignfied men of law, like
Gegemount, always find dozen reasons
Tor lnacton, except in matters that bring
grlst to their own mill.
went home completely disheartened
and detected. How could 1 face my direc-
tors with such story as that to tell? The
only excuse that could urge of private
friendship and confidence in the man who
had robbed US, would make the matter on,
y the worse. Clearly, at the same time
that told the circumstances to the direc-
tors, l should be bound to place my resig-
nation in their hands, to be put into force
If they thought fit. And there would be
little doubt but that they would accept it.
How damaging too. the story would be to
me, when | tried to obtain another ap-
pointment
L had promised to take my wife and
children for an excursion down the river,
as the bank closed, and the youngsters
eagerly reminded me of my promise. |
replied SO savagely and sternly, that the
children made off in tears ; my wife, COM
ing to see what was the matter, Jared little
better. [ must have had sunstroke or
something, she told me, and brought ban
dages and eau de Cologne. flung away
in rage, and went out Of the house. L
must be doing something, felt, and |
hailed cab and drove to Thrapstow' s
lodgings.
Mr.. Thrapstow wasn't coming hsme that
night, his landlady told me; she thought
he was away for little jaunti but she
didn't know. He occupied the ground
floor of a small house in Ecclesford street,
Plmlico. told the woman that | would
sit down and write letter. She knew
me well enough, as had frequently visit
ed Thrapstow, and she left me to myself.
Then | began to overhaul everything, to
try to find out some clue to his where
abouts. A few letters were on the chin
ney-piece they were only circulars from
tradesmen. In the fireplace was consid-
cradle quantity of chared tlnder. He had
evidently been burning papers recently,
and quantity of them. turned the TIM
der carefully over. spreading it out upon
a newspaper. | found nothing legible ex-
cept one little scrap Of paper, which the
fire had not altogether reduced to powder,
on which | saw the name Of Isabel shin
ing with metallic lustre. Then | went to
the bedroom, and searched that, Here
too, were evident preparations for fight
coats and other garments thrown hastily
into oupboards, boxes turned out an old
glove or two lying upon the dressing table
| carefully searched all the pockets for
letters or other documents, but | found
nothing. The keys were left in all the re,
ceptacIes an instance Of Charles thought
fulness for others, in the midst of his ras.
cality.
Lying upon the wash-stand was card
which was blank upon one side, but Oh
the other had the name of a photographer
printed upon it. The card was wet, as il
it had been soaked in water; and near the
upper end Of it was round irregular cut
which did not quite penetrate the card
1t had evidently once had a photograph
fastened on it, accordingly, the card haC
been wetted to facilitate the removal o.
the photograph. whilst the face of the por
trait had evidently been cut ont, in or
der to place in locket or something sim
liar.
1t struck me at once that the photo
graph, about which a man on the eve o.
flight would take so much trouble, must
be of person very dear to him probabl y
his sweetheart Although had been in
innate with Tbrapstow, he had always
been very reserved as to his own friends
and associates, and | had no clue to guild,
me to any of them except the photo
grapher's card.
Re-entering the cab, drove off to the
photographers, There was no number OIL
distinguishing mark upon the card, anc
the chances seemed faint that he would be
able to tell me anything about it. Indeed
at first, when the man found that | wasn'
, customer, he seemed little inclined tt
trouble himself about the matter. Th,
promise of fee, however, made. him NOR
reasonable, and he offered to let me SCI
his books, that light search for the nam'
[ wanted to find. But then didn't know
the name | wanted to find. 1t was un
| likely that the photograph had been don
/. for Thrapstow if it had, there wonld pro
baby appear in the books the useless re
cord of his address already known to me
Then the man shook his head III didn'
: know the name, it was no use looking; tn
. card was nothing, he said he sent hun
dreds out every month. What informa
tion could he possibly give me? Then
: tried to describe the personal appearance
of Thrapstow. But again he shook hi
head. If he hadn't taken his likeness b
wouln't be likely to rememberihim hard
, even then, so many people passed throug
his hands.
At this time he had been carelessl
holding the card in his fingers, glancing a
it now and then, and suddenly an ide
= seemed to strike him. " Stop bit,'' b
E said, and went into his dark chamber, an
2 presently emerged, smelling strongly c
i chemicals. " Look here" he said triumph
e antly. l looked, and saw very fain
|, ghostly impression ofa photograph. 1T
+ printed itself through" said the man
:. g they will sometimes-and I've brough
e it to light. Yes l know the original c
e that" Again he dived into closet, an
}. brought out negative with number ap
d label to it. Then he turned to his bool
d and wrote down an address for me-Mr
e Maidmont, Larkspur Road, Noting Hill
t Away l went to Larkspur Road. Mr.
J. Maidmont's house was small comfortabl
}. residence, with bright windows, verandal
it gorgeous window-boxes, and striped SUI
l.