Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-29

pert"
My uncle had no faith in experts, or
Bow street runners, and mistrusted them.
But he could not refuse to try the expert
ment suggested. So the most expert
euced deciphersr in London was sum-
moned into council and to him the letters
were secretly submitted.
He read them all very carefully, looked
at them in the light, and looked at the
light through them. At last he put them
all aside, excepting one from Elinor
Beaumont.
"Who is the lady that writes this P"
said the taciturn man OF skill at last.
"A very sweet young woman" said
Parker. smartly; sister OF my private
secretary"
docs she write often p''
Yes. she is his only correspondent,
and writes about twice a week.
"Where does she liver"
''She lives in Jersey, Beaumont told
me. Their laiher was in business there"
Aud does she always write about the
same kind of things-aun'ts is rheumatism,
picnics, squirc's tea parties and the
like ?"
much OF the same, excepting when
she speaks of Beaumont himself"
Hum ~ said the expert.
"Well. SIR" said my uncle. who was
rather impatient OF the man of skilPs
pomposity, land what may Hum =
mean? Have the young woman and her
aunrs rheumatism done the mischief ?"
Hum She dates from Fleet street p
Aud why should she not date from
Fleet street, sir ?"
II should be sorry to prevent her. "
said the unmovod philosopher. HAS
this correspondence continued longP"
"Oh, yes-s couple OF years or so, not
nearly 81 regularly As lately"
"For hos long regularly P'
For about two months
That Is, about the time when you first
suspected the betrayal OF confidence"
Really. my friend, il you can. sec
farther into milestone than that, you
may give up the profession" said my
uncio. Take my word for it, the Beau
monts have nothing 10 do with it. Rub
bish."
Hunt And with tina! the man OF
skill took his nat and departed. ayiug he
would be- back in two days. The two
days. however. woro fVo before be came
back. aud was again closeted with uncle
aud Parker. with whom be had fallen in
to great distavor.
Wants to make job" said the latter
IA regular humbug"
"Sir George" said the regular hum
bug. "has Mr.. Beaumont locked desk
in his room7'
Yes, sir" said Mr.. Parker. "he has"
Have you key which will open it ?"
IL have-and what of that P"
al wish TO have that desk opened with
out his knowledge, and the contents
brought 10 me-"
And on what pretense," said my uu.
Gle. "do you propose to put this insult on
a man against whom there is no reasons
ble ground of suspicion. and who has not
been allowed to speak for himseiP"
"Ttero need be no insult, for be will
know nothing OF it: neither will any one
else"
81 will not permit il, sir"
Hum, Then | can do no more in the
business"
But" said Parker, whose official no.
lions made him unwilling to break off the
negotiations in this manner. what pre-
tense have YOU for doing this to Mr..
Beaumont, and not to the other clerks ?"
Shall | tell you2 There is no such
person rs Elinor Beaumont and the ad-
dress in Fleet stree, is notorious haunt
OF suspected foreigners P"
Good gracious ~ said my uncle,
changing color, 'you don't say that3"
'It is the fact, bat you will see the ne
cessity OF being cautious and silent in
the matter. Detection hangs on thread
as il stands. and whisper will break it."
"What do you mean ?" said Parker.
'about Elinor Beaumont have seen
her."
There is no Elinor Beaumont in Jer-
sey. | have sent and ascertained the
fact
Il am sure there is some mistake
about all this, which Beaumont can clear
up. Let US send for him."
al you do. tho game is up. trust,
iu fact, be does not know OF my visits.
We cannot be too cautious in those mat
ters."
"Pedantic ass" muttered my uncle ;
"but suppose we had better give him
his own way. II you meet Parker and
me here at seven tonight, we shall have
this wonderful desk opened, and your
great discoveries shall be made"
They met again that evening. The
desk was opened by Parker, and bum
die OF letters. carefully packed up, all
from Einor Beaumont, and a quantity OF
circulars, plsy.bills and shop receipts