Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-05-28
While my wife read this to me with |

ulation turns into threatening certainties.
and there stares you ia the face conclusive
proof that your house is about to be rob-
bed. you experience small pleasures in the
accurate fore-knowl edge of any prophet.
Instantly telegraph ed to Belts that
would meet him at my son-iu-law's office
at l2o'clock; then proposed TO my wife
that she should go to town, and spend a
couple ofdays with our daughter, and Of
fered to drive her in myself. We set off
within an hour. aud after leaving her up
town, hurried down, eager to see the de-
tective. 1t was on the stroke of II when I
entered the office, and l thought at first
that Belts had failed me. for no one was
there but ponderous old gentleman, with
gold glasses and white side whiskers.
am not used to intrigues and masQuerades,
and when | recognized Belts In this dis
guise | could hardly refrain from exclaim-
ing at his cleverness; but his own cool
ness kept me within bounds and l sat
down beside him aud began reading a pa
per. Presently with his eyes still fasten-
ed on his Herald, lie edg ed toward me,
aud dropped these sentences into my ear ::
Its all going beautifully. ~ fol-
lowed the girl in yesterday. - Went
to-totel. The De Sturgeses
looked there all straight. '-'' Whole
party lett Jersey City at . o'clock last
night, ticketed and lug gage checked to
Washington. Slipped out of the
cars at Newark all three in mems dress,
and were back here before midnight.
- Met eight fellows know at saloon
ln--street aud 1 can spot all eleven Of
EN- this very minute. 80 They are at
den game somewhere tonight"
AT my house?" | cried.
Dunno" said he, looking straight into
the fire.
Look here, Belts" | whis pered, 'this
may be fun for you, but, though I'm no
coward, its death to me Why not arrest
'eIn now"
Yes. just So he returned irritably--
"why not?' Where's your evidence?
Now Mr.. Powers, Just look at this matter
scn-ibly. You know a. well as | do that
half fhe thieves we catch get on because
no one will swear 10 indemnity at their ex-
animation. Now am anxious to make a
sure thing OF il for once, and take my oath
caught them in the act.
you mean to arrest them while they
are robbing me:'
II do"
IAN ri4ht-only should prefer to have
the row in another mans house"
| saw at once that Betts's opinion OF me
had gone down to zero; but he disguised
his contempt. and went ou TO tell me that
he had dispatched one OF his men, john
noi-ancc, under prctensc of trimming INV
evcrgreens. Upon this mans report, and
upon two or three other open questions
which he did not think itworth while to
explain. depended his programme for to-
night. If BY any possibility there was
likelihood OF my house being entered at
once, ! was 10 know it by dlnncrtIme,
that might be prepared for the burglars
spend my time in my usual manner,
80 a. To excite no comment among the SER
vans, and receiving no word from Belts |
was 10 rest satisfied. and consider my
house safe for another twenty-four hours
went home according to directions and
set about spending my day in my usual
way, but the house was so still and seemed
50 deserted, | found it almost impossible
to read or sit quietly in chair, for more
than five minutes at time. SO | called
the little dog, Jingle, and st out for
walk about the grounds, feeling some Gu
rlo>ity To get glimpse of the detective
johnson. 1t was black December after
noon, shiyering wind in the tree top. and
leaden clouds promising snow before mid
night. The bare ground was frozen hard,
and a few dead leaves cddied about in
gusts that rose and fell at uncertain inter
walls. hcard the sound of an AK through
the sombrc stiffness, aud Jingle frisked
forward and barked at man hacking at
the frs 1t the shrubbery. | addressed him
regarding his work; and he winkcd back
his appreciation OF our mutual sharpness
then went on, reconnoitred few minutes
longer, and again turned in. The day seem
ed endless, and was glad when Saunders
lit the gas, and shut out the shivering
landscape funeral clouds with the heavy
curtains. Dinner-time came, and brought
with it semblance of occupation, and
when was half through my meal | sud
denly remembered Jingle, and sent for
him to keep me company. He was not in
the house. 1t flashed upon me that had
not seen him after pas sing johnson in the
thhicket, and dispatched the coachman to
call him in; but only echoes answered the
cry. He had evidently remained out in
the grounds with the policeman, and dis
missed the subject from my mind, fini shed
my desert, and went back to my library
fire. No word had come from Belts, hence
| was safe for tonight, at all events, and |
breathed freer. and stretched my legs and
dozed until 10 o'clock in comparative
comfort. Then rousing myself, Int Ian
tern and went out OF the door along the
side piazzas to speak word with John
son, who Belts had arranged, was in any
case to keep a watch under the covered
carriage-way.
He was not there. 1 did not UNDER
stand it. Had he got drunk, or had Belts
taken him away? Perhaps, however, he
was still lettering at the edge of the
grounds; accordingly walked out on the
lawn, and swung my lantern two or three
times. Then, as it was bitter cold. and was
beginning to snow, | turned in, and, find
ing that it was almost IL O'clock order
ed Saunders to close the house and send
the servants to bed; and to bed went
myself.
But as soon as the light was out, and my
head touched the pillow, was freshly i'm
pressed by the mystery Of ofJohnson's disap-
pearance, and accordingly got up. OPEN
ed my pillow case, took out two revol-