The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-04-25

OF no particular difficulty in which he
had fallen of late, although l did learn
that he had, three weeks since, made a
hasty journey. One little fact. however.
seemed to be of great worth. Herr
| BOttcher these times slept badly. and
was wont to rise often by night and pace
up and down the garden.
| lay lurking for two entire nights
under bushes in this same plat but dur
ing all those weary hours whoever did
come to this place, Herr Bottcher un-
fortunately did not, and in the garden |
. could find no trace of anv hidden treas
ure or likelihood of such.
| fell into greater despair than before.
What could | do ? Upon one side nv
absolute certainty of having tracked my
man on the other, no earthly means of
bringing home his guilt. If only had
sufficient ground to demand a search
through the Tascal's house. but | had
not. One afternoon | was walking up
and down my room considering, when
the post brought me a brief but concise
and decisive dispatch from my chief:
Return Immediately unless all mat
teTS are in train. Give up. Your pres
encc here is necessary"
This order was like a thunderclap in
my ears. Ny commanding officer was
plainly dispeased at my long delay
Should ! simply throw the cards down
and venture all on one trick this same
/ evening, SO as to be ready to depart to-
morrow at furtheSt | decided for the
last alternative.
Twelve gentlemen sat in the town
club-room. My friend made one of
them. To his great surprise. sat down
close to him aud began to talk a little
Presently our nearest neighbOr stood up
and departed. to my great Joy. | bent
over BOttcheT now and whispered that
l had weighty matter to talk over with
him.
What may it be = he inquired calm
'.You believe am here as a lottery
agent -
He nodded
4 am not, however. Ihayc been sent
here on detective business by the Prus-
sian police office" Herr Bottcher took
this revelation significantly. On the in
stant he knew not how to compose his
features. He first drew in his face as if
wishing to look aStOniShed. and then he
tried to smooth away all but supreme in
difference. After a second or two. dur
ing which 1 had studied him as ser
pent does its prey, he said in a constTain-
ed tone:
How does that concern me, pray,
good sir -
You have heard Of Widow Friedow
from whom large sum Of money has
been stolen. I have come here to hunt
up the thief. / have got on the right
track. You, l know, are related to her,
and concerned in the property she pos
seSses as a probable heir. -
While | spoke thus l looked him
straight in the eyes. They sparkled like
those of an angry cat making ready 10
spring.
And you will arrest me, suppose -
he gasped angrily.
! should have loved to seize him by
the throat then and there. shouting. In
the name of the law" To this day l
wonder how 1 restrained myself, but l
did.
How can You talk So ?" I exclaimed
calmly. Il only mean that you must
help me bring the criminal to justice.
being. as YOU are, interested in the in
heTitance." ."
with all the pleasure in life, = he re-
piled heartily. i Will do what | can.
But-what is it you want Of me -
Early tomorrow ! viii come up to
. YOU to consult over the matter. and we
/ can then decide on our proceedings.
Bottcher drew long breath. This
t is most unfortunate. = he exclaimed. i
. nave dl ul8tll SUMMONS. anu inUSl
+ start from T before daybreak. Per
haps I may be even obliged to leave this
evening. | owe heavy sum of money.
and must appear personally to my cred
itor and demand further delay. l can
not wait
| could scarce restrain my JOY. The
game had run his head right into my
IaSSo; only one pull now, and the knot
was fast.
Don't trouble, = said quietly. BY
and by viii do for me. | shall be in
T for another week. When you
come back Will answer as well.
''All right. | expect to return in a
couple of days" he exclaimed. But
stay, one question! Is DIR. Miding
mixed up in this affair -
DO You know him 2
BY sight only
He Will help me to identify the Grim
inal. l said, coolly looking full again
into my companion 5 face which took a
horrible tint and expression now.
Can he do SO -
Certainly. He saw the man. dressed
like laborer, the morning after the
robbery was effected
"Who was this ruffian 2" BottcheI
asked. breathleSsly."
His name iS-Ebbing-L think, |
answered, at haphazard.
I don't know him. was the reply to
this.
L daresay," said l, .'he only comes
here at times
[ arose now. broke off our converse
ton with every appearance OF confidence
: and departed. having shaken BOttchel
by the hand. | went stealthily 10 his
house and waited. [ had been there but
about quarter OF an hour when a traI
dashed up to the door. BottcheT sprang
out of it. went inside for a few minutes
and then reappeared carrying something
under his left arm. As he got upon Ont
side of the vehicle, | jumped upon the
other and seized hold Of my game. He
made not the least resistance but sal
= like one enchanted.
Are those Frau FTiedows paper:
YOu have under your arm - | inquired
Yes, they are, he replied.
| made the cOachman take us where
could put the robber in safe keeping.
When a m5n is suddenly discovered il
a crime he is sure to commit some piec,
of folly | had reckoned upon this, an,
was not out i'll so doing. My game haC
literally walked into my hand, and fel
, rewarded at last for all my trouble an,
disappointing delays.
BOttcher was sentenced to six years il
. the house of correction. His cOadjutor
were not caught.
\ MEMBER of the rhetorical class in
| certain college had just finished his de
r clamation when the professor said: MI
Il, 4 L