The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-08-12

hours crept on. The policeman passed
within couple of yards OF the watchers
repeatedly, but whether they knew OF
their presence or not Baselton could not
| Judge. The length and WEAKNESS of the
hours grew at last intolerable to him, and
seeing that the sergeant was as cool and
wideawake as when they first entered
their lair, he whispered, II feel terribly
drowsy, Sergeant; | always do about
| this time. Five minutes nap will make
me as fresh as daisy. Rouse me up if
you hear anything before that time
His companion smiled, and in the same
| subdued tone, gave the promise.
Nothing did happen requiring Mr.. Ba.
selton's presence either before or after the
expiration Of five minutes, although the
| officer stealthily looked out a hundred
times during the night. At last the
darkness thinned away, and then, after a
short gray twilight, dawn came. and the
sergeant shook Baselton by the shoulder.
"Yes, yes, I'm ready" stammered the
exhibitor, then he opened his eyes very
wide indeed. why, it's daylight
must have slept"
Yes of course you have, interrupted
the other, ''but let US 70 out quietly,
don't mind our men seeing US. of course
| but others need not know of our watch. :"
Il think the less your men OF anybody
else know about the way We kept our
watch, the better" said Mr.. Baselton, as
they left the counter; in fact, shall re-
gard it as friendly thing fyou say moth
ing about it,
The sergeant smiled, but kept his own
counsel; and it may be limited that Ba.
| selton was very liberal fellow, although
/ somewhat hasty. 1t turned out that no
| pilfering had taken place that night, nor
| did any occur for two or three nights
after, fact which Mr.. Glisser attributed
| to the influence of Mr.. Baselton's vigil
lance. He took great interest in the ex-
| hlbitor's plans, and paid him several COM
| pliments, which the latter received with
but indifferent grace, having reasons that
the other knew nothing of for thinking
but modestly Of the same vigilance.
One morning, little while after the
frultleSs watch, Mr.. Baseton was in a
very bad temper, for he had sustained a
| fresh loss He was leaning against a
pillar. some short distance from his coun-
| ter, thoughtfuliy biting the ends Of his
looked round at the sound, and saw po-
lice cons table, whom he very much dis
liked for his apathy and unbusiness-hke
way, standing close by him. He growled
out some hardly civil words, and turned
from the man, but the latter was not to
be daunted.
Il am afraid you have had loss, sir"
said the man, land hope it is not very Sc
rious; but at any rate, l should like a
word or two with you"
What for a. retorted Baselton. 81
have lost gold watch, and as have not
/ breathed syllable about it to soul, |
don't see how you could know anything
of 1t. unless some Of your lively force
have
You are too severe, Mr.. Baselton."
said the other. finding he stopped; ''you
are, indeed sir. Now, SIR, | have nv
opinion about these roberies, and [ think
| have found out the order the thief
works in, and can pretty well guess in
what quarter he vii try next. | believe
| can catch him
You p exclaimed Baselton, with an
emphasis which was anything but CON-
Elementary to the o fficer
Yes, sill" replied the man firmly, 81
can. You have a good deal Of influence
with the authorities, and if you will ask,
| shall be taken off regular duty and de-
tailed for special service, and | can then
catch him.
well. tell me your plans" said Basic
ton land, in return, | will tell you this;
you know there are ESQ offered on the
qalet for the apprehension Of the thief.
Find him, and | will make it fls0.'
The constable smiled, and, lowering his
voice, spoke TO the exhibitor in whispers.
When he had finished, Baseton slapped
his hand on the counter with force that
Jared every article around, and exclaim-
ed: You are right. Are you on
duty q
NO, sir, said the man.
Then yju shall be-"
The application for the constable
change of duty was doubtless made, for
he disappeared from his accustomed
patrol.
During the next day or two Basleton
became loquaciouS on the subject, and in
conversation with Mr.. GliSser, who took
a very kindly interest in the matter, own
ed that he had changed his opinion about
the matter of the robberies. He was
convinced, he said, that if the thief came
by night he would be caught long before,
but that every body was on the wrong
scent, and that the theits were really
committed in the hustle of closing for the
evening. and then, not being found out
till the morning, it was naturally sup
posed that the thief came IN the night
Mr.. Glisser was very much struck by the
view. which he commended highly. and
urged an increased vigilance about the
time spoken of.
While this was going on there had been
no fresh depredations from the counters,
and Constable Lowchife had been absent
from duty, although no one seemed to
have noticed him. When the visitors
departed at the close Of the day, all the
interior of the building became depressing
enough as the light faded away, and there
were no places more spectral in their as
pect than those where clustered most
closely the white statues. which were plen-
tifully sprinkled about. Nvmphs,