Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-12-03

museum? Have you seen it2 Do you
think could get look atit?"
The questions were put one after the
ether in quick succession, as though he
were eager and anxious about some
thing, l said eyes, to each; but was
surprised at the good English in
which he now spoke, and at the refine
ment which marked his manners. Still
I could make nothing of it.
pass over the next few days, as they
brought forth no new incident. The
gardener had stuck to his contract with
the landlord, and I had been enabled to
get on with my work. The four men
did not again visit us; but as ! went on
with my carving ] saw first one and then
another of them pass my place. And
in retired lane.
After supper, one night, / took the
gardener to the barn-like habitation of
the old naturalist. As we went along,
he asked me to take particular notice of
the dog and the lamb; " for" said he,
81 was struck with the questions one of
the men put as to whether Bruce and
Wonder could take in any more cotton
or fax And it is just possible" he
continued, that he has way of taking
cut and putting in the stufing after the
skin has become set and hard--a thing
worth knowing, should think"
When he got to the house, the old man
came to the door. closing it after him.
Being asked if he would allow the gar.
dener to see over his collection of pre-
served animals, he at first seemed per-
picked, and saying "I'll ask my son"
he went in, leaving us outside. Shortly
he returned and said: oft is not con-
venient to enter the room tonight, as it
is being cleaned aud the contents rear
ranged; but if your friend will come
tomorrow night, and come alone, he
shall see over it."
We agreed and came away. I was at
loss to account for the condition i'm
posed, but my companion was set up
with the arrangement.
of on his errand. | was all Impotence
for his return. But when he came back
he seemed unwilling to relate the result
of his adventure, simply saying, "Pm in
no humor to talk tonight; I'll relate
what I've seen and said to morrow"
My friend had got on well with his
gardening. His potatoes and onions,
his turnips and carrots had been got in !;
and it was clear that if the next two
days should prove fine he would finish
the job on the Saturday night.
On Friday night he came to me in the
kitchen, in a corner of which / was
reading, and asked me to take short
walk with him. l got up and went.
The night was fine, but dark. We
walked in the direction of the museum.
He asked me il l could keep secret for
a day or two. Replying in the afirma-
tive, he said he had strong suspicion
that the old naturalist or his son was no
better than he should be; that he was
sure he or they knew more about the
late robberies than other folks, and that
he believed If he had few shillings
which he could call his own, he could
come at the truth, and concluded by
asking me to lend him a sovereign for
few days. | agreed, for I had begun to
feel an unaccountable curiosity growing
within me.
We had not walked far before we met
the naturalists son, apparently by ap-
pointment; for my companion told him
that had promised him loan, and
that, therefore, he would be at his
fathers house next day and make pur-
chase. We parted and came home.
AboIt the middle of Saturday after
noon he set of, and in less than an hour
came back, bearing a tolerably sized
parcel. Giving me signal as he passed
me, joined him in the back yard. He
said: Pm on the track of the thieves,
[ believe. Last night, but one, on reach
ing the house, and on looking over the
museum, the old man said that his son
was rather short of money; but having
exchanged frame of moths and few
birds for lot of provisions, if I would
buy some of the latter, [ might sell them
at profit, or they would keep me in
eatables for while, and the sale would
relieve his son. [ agreed to BUY if I
could raise the money. Now, am not
without cash, but it would not have done
to say SO; hence I agreed to ask you for
loan. Well, I've got lot of things
dirt cheap, which really think belong.
en- to one of the late robberies. / go
hence to morrow on the sly; but on Mon
day you may look for my return" Civ.
ing me playful dig in the left side, he
left me. His absence during the night
and the day after surprised the landlord,
but / said nothing.
/ was all impatience until Monday
came. 1t come at last. I was busy at
my carving, when [ heard well-known
voice hail me from below. On looking
down from nv stage whom should T SEQ
in the road beneath, smiling all the face
over, but my old friend, the gardener, in
policeman's uniform The truth flash
ed through me in an instant. / went
down. Grasping my hand, he said:
"The secrets out, you see! Come along
with me to see the upshot"
l was about to witness denouememt l
had not looked for. Up the road were a
couple of policemen. Ny old compan-
ion was the chief being a sergeant-of-
police. He led the way to the museum,
and was first to enter.