Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-11


Why, they would kill me as quick as
they would you! What Will be the
sWag:'
"a cool two hundred Thousand dollars
that is, after we get through with the
newly-arrived jeweler, which | have
mapped out to be done tonight In an
hour or so | shall start for Stockton, to
make arrangements regarding you and
me. You can finish the .ieweler while
am gone. l will be back tomorrow, and
will meet you here. OF course you can
get up something to keep the boys away
from us, so that We can have the coast
clear for our final sweep. We must be
sly, for the gang are as tu!l OF suspicious
as an egg is Of meat. 1t IS time they
were dropping in here. l think l hear
them coming up the road now"
One bv one, on foot and horseback, the
different members of the gang began to
arrive at the rendezvous, until, in q short
time, as the lights were brought in by
the man Jack, the room contained up
ward of twenty men of the most villanouS
description. As the drinking continued,
the oaths became more frequent, and the
personal epithets more violent and
abusive
Abbott did not drink himself, but
moved about the room with more than
his wonted taciturnity. At length he
signifed his intention to go.
And where are you going to?'' asked
Bill White, a burly rutfian who was par
TALLY intoxicated.
II 60 to Stockton on business" said
Abbot, sharply.
e'Smash my crust if l understand it,
nohow," said Bill; ''lf the old man as
keeps all the swag is to tramp around
the country just as he pleases, l want to
know what it means"
Abbot did not turn pale, bat his heart
was not easy. Jack, his friend, however,
was quite ready with his diversion.
keep your minds easy, you maudling
tools.' he said, angrily. ''Who is it but
Captain George that puts up more than
half our jobs for us-and who are you,
that you that you question him9''
This sentiment was echoed by num-
Der of the gang, and Abbot felt some
| what easier.
Gentlemen, you are all primed for
the ieweler. He quilted the steamer
yesterday. have never seen him, and
have been unable to learn his name; but
enough OF YOU have seen the old man to
know him when he stops here tonight at
| twelve on his way to the back country,
Jack knows all about it, and you can GER
tainly manage everything before my re-
turn tomorrow night. You will all be
busy Oh the big thing have worked up
for you at Benicia. Jack will attend to
everything about the ranch here in my
| absence. When you hear OF the resuly
Of my present mission at Stockton, |
| know you will not question my motives -
No" muttered Jack, III an undertone,
''for by that time you will be so far away
that you would not hear them if they
did
Abbott, although he perceived with
alarm tina, the grumblers were daily in
creaslns in number and bcldness, had
thus far maintained his power over them
by the Uniform success of his schemes of
villany, and his present little speech was
hailed with considerable applause. At
ter bidding them goodnight he quilted
the house, and proceeded rapidly down
the road for the five mile walk to San
Francisco.
CHAPTER II.
The twilight was rapidly deepening
into darkness when Abbott was once
more on the road from San Francisco to
Robbers Rauch. Reaching the door, he
found it locked, but at his knock 1t was
speedily opened by Jack, and in another
moment ABBOTT aud Jack were in the
dimly lighted and deserted interior.
Jack had been doing little else but drink
during his masters absence.
"Well, Captain George, what's the
news9"
Everything going smoothly, Jack. l
have worked the thing up nicely. The
Uncle Sam quits the wharf at ten to-mor-
row; sooner than expected, but I sup
pose you are readyl'
"You may bet your life on that. cap
tain; shan't feel easy till l see the blue
waters between us and the shore"
"But how about the jeweler?"
"The job was done as clean as whis-
tie. He came along at midnight. Be
tween you and me, it IS the neatest job
we have ever done-two thousand dol
lars in dust, besides o casket Of gems.n
"Good" cred Abbot; chow did the
boys act9"
prime. Bill White had little row
but otherwise there was no trouble. Here
are the stones. l suppose they are worth
pile"
Jack opened 4 strong boz and produc.
ed metal casket, highly polished, with
the key attached.
superb" exclaimed Abbot, turning
over the contents, which consisted OF
rings, pins, and necklaces, and other
combinations of precious stones and met.
| ais. "Why. Jack, they arc worth a cool
| ten thousand at least"
Suddenly he paused; his hand shook; q
paleness more deathiy than its accustom
ed hue overspread his countenance.
''Was this ring in the casket2' he ex-
claimed, holding up an elegant chased
gold ring in the form of serpent with
ruby eyes.
NO" replied the other, "that was
taken from the finger
STRANGE" muttercd Abbott, speaking
to himself, in an absent way, but still
white and trembling.
"But after all, it may have been stolen. :
rrSt n.