Nebraska advertiser., 1876-10-19


buy 1t back at whatever price you
might have given for it," st
The little man, much relieved in
mind, said, THAT was talking like a
gentleman" and proceeded to relate,
not without blush that his magni-
ficence should be detected in such a
transaction, how, about five years pre-
viously, he had bought the pawn
ticket of the said watch from Mr..
Pontifex, who sometimes frequented
his house. ~ am the landlord of the
"Broadsword Combat" a 'ous much
used by professional gents in Yorick
Street, Waterloo Road" he said, by
way of explanation. II gave him five
pounds for it. Of course l looked at
it fust. 1t was pawned in the Essex
Road. 1 took it out one day when l
was driving up here. That's all l
know about it, on the honor of gent.
If you like to make any inquiries at
the pawnbroker's, l am going back
that way, and will drive you as far"
Charles thanked him, and accepted
his offer.
After which, sMr. Wopsey-such
was the little mans name-grew re-
markably friendly, and insisted upon
standing treat.
"Does Mr.. Pontifex still frequent
your house ?" inquired Charles, as
they drove along the road.
Haven't clapped eyes on him this
twelve month past" answered Mr..
Wopsey. IAN acquaintance Of his
told me something the other day
about his 'avlng 'ad a rise in the
world, and that he was quite the
swell now, Always a very gentle
manly feller, 1 thought-a sort O.
light of other days"
land the person who told you this
does he Otter come to your house?"
Sometimes every day; sometimes
not for months together"
"Do you know where he is to be
found?"
THAT don't. He's q shy custom
er, who likes to live privately, you
understand. But the next time l see
him I'll get out of him all he knows"
Thus conversing, they arrived at
last at the pawnbroker's. In answer
to Charles inquiries, the young man
the same whom we previously in.
troduced to the reader on the occasion
of Mr.. Pontifex visiting the establish
ment-consulted the books. "Yes, he
remembered the watch well. 1t had
been first pawned there seven years
ago by man answering the descrip-
ton given. He knew him well; was
a regular customer of theirs had not
seen him for at least four years; per-
fectly remembered that gentleman
indicating Mr.. Wopsey-taking it
out"
Finding that no material evidence
was to be gained here, Charles wasted
no time in useless questions.
But you don't think that Pontifex
was mixed up in this murder?" asked
Mr.. Wopsey, gravely. "He was a
slippery sort of coutomer-up to a do,
but I shouldn't think one likely to
mix himself up in such work as that.
How long ago is it since it 'appened,
and where was it? 1 might remem-
Der it,"
ut is three or four and twenty
years since it hapPened-down IN
Norfolk. don't suppose you would
remember it," answered Charles,
hastily, and not wishing to 60 into
particulars. "At any time, then, Mr..
Wopsey, that 1 may require state
ment as to how the watch came to |
your possession, you will favour me
with it; and you will not forget to
make inquiries about Mr.. Pontifex for
me?"
MY dear sir, I shall be most appy |
to do that, or anything in my power
always ready to oblige a gent. Here
is my card, and youth give US look
up; 'appy to see you any time"
And Mr.. Wopsey cordially shook
hands with his new acquaintance,
mounted into his trap, which be had
left in charge of boy, raised his hat,
and drove away citywards.
Charles walked slowly towards his
lodgings.
"Once or twice was on the point
Of telling Pontifex my story" he
"but that morbid disposition
to secrecy prevented me. What pos
'ible connection can he have with the
Dreadful business? How could that
watch have come into his possession 4?
L. must be the one-it answers in ev-
sry particular the description given
by Biige, as well as that contained in
he old newspaper. What a marvel
GUS coincidence! This discovery is
lew and important clue, but one
which L cannot follow up; therefore,
or the present, shall adhere to my
plan"
Going back to his longings, he made
hasty meal, told Mrs. Gripley that
lie was going out of town for a day or /
wo, and started that same evening
or Norwich.
Ito BE CONTINUED