The Portland daily press., 1874-09-05


self the entire proceeds of the detection of
Guacho Jack in case that arrant knave should
chance to fall into his clutches. Long and
anxiously he pondered upon this weighty
matter, and by the time he had arrived at his
destination his thoughts began to assume
some practical shape. Seating himself in
the same luxurious chair in which our two
friends found him at their first interview, he
lighted cigar and rang small bell by his
side. In moment the door to an inner
office opened, and bright intelligent boy of
some sixteen years of age entered and stood
waiting for his orders.
"Charley," said the colonel, kindly, "sit
down.
The boy seated himself and looking grave
ly into the coloneps face, awaited his further
commands.
81 have not had time, my boy" said
Sharpsey, "to inquire about your trip since
you returned. How did you enjoy yourself?"
so, nicely, sir, thank you; replied the boy
in a clear musical voice, II had beautiful
time.''
"Oh well, that is nice; and where did you
go?' said the colonel.
"Ob, went home," replied Charley; ''you
know told you was going home"
eyes, I remember now you said something
about it. Down 10 the eastern shore, wasn't
it?"
The boy cast quick, keen glance at the
dpfppfiup vphn nj of furpo o1 fo no
table for the mornings paper; but his face
was as clear and placid as ever when he
again met the detectives eye, and he an
swered pleasantly:
eyes, sir, down to the eastern shore"
"Let me see," said the colonel, in an alb
sent manner, but watching the lad closely,
''Your mother lives there, don't she?'
Eyes, sir" said Charley, and now there
was far-off, dreamy look in his soft gray
eyes, Eyes, sir, mother lives there"
"You are very fond of your mother, aren't
you, Charley?" said the detective, gently
taking the lads delicate hand between his
own and regarding him kindly.
A quick flush stole over the boys cheek,
and he seemed half inclined to resent the
colonel's manner, but he only answered SIM
ply,
"Yes, sir, I am very fond Of her."
"And you would like to do great deal for
her, too, wouldn't you?'' inquired the colo
mel.
"Oh, yes, sir" answered the boy eagerly,
II should, and" he added musingly, II
mean to sometime-when I can."
swell, my boy" said Sharpsey, rising a1d
taking up memorandum book from the ta-
Bile, 81 have a plan by which think you can
do all you wish for your mother and for your
self too.'
"Have you?' said Charley, with sudden
interest, ''what is it?''
II will tell you," said the colonel, seating
himself and glancing over his note book.
He then proceeded to relate to his young
assistant the information obtained from Obe-
diah and Jake, reserving, however, any men
ton of those gentlemen's names. The boy
listened intently and as the narrative pro-
ceeded, showed evident signs of agitation,
the color fading gradually from his face till
his extreme paeness attracted the detectives
attention.
"Why, Charley. how nervous you are,"
said he, ''what ais you?"
Il don't know" said the boy family, "per-
happs your cigar smoke makes me SICK"
'There," said Sharpsey, ''I forgot your
weak stomach. There-I will throw the
thing out of the Window
The lad soon recovered his composure, and
apologizing to the colonel, begged him to pro-
ceed.
SWELL" continued the detective, s'you see
this opens up the whole case again, as it ap-
pears. Guacho Jack is still alive, and that
photograph you chiseled out of Hookem will
work in after all;;' and they both laughed at
the remembrance of the shrewd trick by
which their rival was deprived of the pic
ture.
"And how" said Charley, sis this to ben
eft me?"
swell, my lad, have determined to let
you work up the case" answered the colonel.
"I?' said the boy, starting up, 81 work up
the case?''
eyes," said the detective, decisively,
'you.''
"Well," said Charley, slowly, and there
was a curious expression on his face as he
met the colonePs eye, 'if you say so I shall
be glad to try my hand"
"All right, my lad, you shan," answered
Sharpsey eagerly, ''and the sooner the bet
ter; and now for the details.''
eyes," said the young man, "now for the
details'
81 propose, then," said Sharpsey, referring
to his memoranda, "that you take boat and
go down to the eastern shore and look up the
first tracks of these rascals. You can sail
boat, can't you?'
'Oh, yes indeed, l can sail boat well
boat" replied the boy.
"Yes-so you did, and came back in her,
too, didn't you?" enquired Sharpsey.
"Yes-that is-yes, sir, came back in a
boat" said the lad in some confusion.
"Come, come, Charley, don't be nervous,''
said the colonel, sharply, "and yet suppose
it is natural. I remember didn't sleep for
week when was on my first case. Well,
you take your boat and go down as I have
said, and, by the way, you must have some
disguise. Let me see-you had better 60 as
a woman"
Gas womanv' repeated Charley starting,
and quick tide of crimson swept over his
face "Oh, no, can't do that, colonel"
Nonsense! Isay you can and must, so
that is settled. Why, you are as nervous as
a sirl-you blush at the bare thought of
pe'ti,oat. I really don't know what will be-
come of you when you get fairly into the
rough and tumble of life," and the detective
smiled shrewdly and wnked to himself with
his off eye.
'Come, now," he continued, sand let's
look over my wardrobe" and the two were
soon deep in the discussion of hats and bon