The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-01-18

very peculiar and cramped position would
| permit. Unhand me quick, sir / am
| no thief, but the lawful owner of No. 1440.
My name is Haynes, Robert Haynes 90
round and look at the door-plate.''
None of that blather, young man." said
the officer, sternly; you've scrutinized that
door-plate pretty thoroughly. l have had
| my eye on you for some tlme."
You don't know what you are talking
about Let me get down, SIR" said |, hotly.
al tell you l am Mr.. Haynes, Robert Hay
mes, law-office on Cooper Street. shall not
condescend to explain to you how happen
not to have the key of my own front-door.
You have only to accompany me to Judge
| Hot's, on the right here, and ask any men,
Der of the family whether / am or am not
Mr.. Robert Haynes"
very well got off, my young gentle
man, but you must allow me to take your
arm"
"a am not in the habit of walking arm in
arm with policemen" said l, haughtily.
"Then shall be obliged to arrest you for
suspicious conduct" he responded, prepar-
ing the way for action.
There was nothing for it but to submit to
have his blue sleeve passed through my
black one, and proceed to the residence of
the judge to find out if was-mysef
We had hardly passed to the sidewalk
when, fortunately, the judge himself came
along.
Hello, Haynes!" he cried, and then
glanced at the figure at my side.
am about to be arrested for breaking
into my own house," | said, returning his
salutation. The policeman had suddenly
dropped my arm as if it burnt him. The
old judge, who relished joke, burst into l
guffaw of laughter which brought the neigh
bors to their windows.
"By-the-way,' said the judge, when he
had recovered himself, you had better keep
your friend Of the star in tow. My wife
spoke to me about your housekeeper this
morning. said she went away in a carriage,
and took more bundles than she brought
when she came here"
My heart beat almost audible. Could
this gentle -browed, low.voiced woman, of
whom | had thought in connection with a
diamond engagement-ring, be vile enough to
deceive Inc, to despoil me? The supposi-
tion was too dreadful
81 counsel you to attemp another raid"
he added. "Perhaps Johnny here will
give you BOOST" and he laughed again.
1t may be all the purest conjecture on my
wife's part, you know. Ladies are apt to be
suspicious of housekeepers. Ha ha! hal"
1t might be all a mistake! 1t was
mistake, repeated almost furiousy, to my
self. Mrs. George, that quiet-moving, per-
fectly lady-like person; Mrs. George, whose
lightest step had sometimes set my pulses
fiuttering; of whom had dreamed l dare
not say how often; whose superb eyes, swan
like throat, and stately presence | had ad-
mired untold of times-she to descend to
any little petty meanness, to house-lifting!
entered the domicile at the back window,
bidding the policeman be within call The
first thing | saw in the basement passage
was the dead body of poor little Jip, my pet
terrier. He had evidently been poisoned.
| walked through the lower rooms. A cost
ly bronze clock and three expensive vases
were gone from the parlor shelf; also
very beautiful little group in terra Gotta,
for which had given an extravagant price.
On closer examination l saw that the
edges of my new carpets were loose. They
had certainly been tackled down before
l opened the door into the front hall,
which literally swarmed with packages.
They stood on the chairs on the hat-rack,
on the table-everywhere Not caring to
stop to examine these evidences of dis
honesty, / went up stairs to the second
story. There on the toilet. table lay neat
ly folded note, of which the following is
transcript:
DEAR MAT Il have packed everything
that could be conveniently carried = the
Clothes the silver, the books, and as many
light ornaments as possible. l think you
might easily take the carpets, if you are ex-
peditious and can rely upon your men. The
old gentleman " Il bit my tongue) won't
be home till noon tomorrow. l have cir
culated report that he intends to dispose
of some of his furniture consequently you
might ill couple of large vans. The
money l have in my possession. l con-
trived to loosen the carpets at the edges,
but could not move the heavy furniture,
You can fold the first, and your men can
carry out the latter. l hope you have fol-
lowed my directions as to dress the neigh
bors will take you for Mr.. Haynes. If it
had not been for you, Mat, would have let
him make love to me. could tcist him
around my fingers!
After you are through l shall be at the
place designated. The servants are in nv
pay, and have sent them off. You can not
tell how patiently have looked forward to
the completion of this little scheme NV
dear Mat, if we get off 1--WE shall get off we
are made for life.
And now, my darling, farewell for
short time. wish / could have seen you,
but this letter must suffice. Destroy IL at
once"
So she could twist me round her finger,
could she? The truth in this bold assertion
made me vince; felt fool down to my
finger ends.
The star Joined me at signal, and we
went upstairs together.
It's the most outdacious thing I ever
heard tell off," he exclaimed. 1--WE will
wait up here and see the play out, I'll bow
the shutters, and therell be some fun before
long. Have you got any shooting-irons
/ went to my room and returned with two
revolvers.
THAT is good" he said his stolid face
lighting up; NOW we are prepared for
them. 1t will be pretty case. Suppose
you suspect the housekeeper?
had kept the contents of the letter for
myself, merely giving him hint or two. but
felt my blood boil at the mention of Mrs.
George.
Yes. of course suspect the housekeep-
er. She turned off my old servants and
brought two creatures of her own here.
Nobody knows how much they have carried
off,"
" It's resky business" muttered the star
with a shrewed glance. Men amt never
safe with women-fOlks about. unless the