, 1880-08-02

was called, In Wn1cn, accompanied Dy
my previous companion, was con-
veyed to the vicinity of my Office, and
set down without further words.
"A week or more passed without the
happening of anything to recall the
late occurrence, when one morning l
had call from couple of strangers.
"You were acquainted, / believe"
one of them began, with young man
named Howard Beccles."
"Slightly." answered; "we board
ed 3, ths same house until recently"
perhaps, then." interposed the
other visitor. "you Can give US some
information as to his present where.
abOuts."
81 cannot. He has left the city, I
belisve-at least received note from
him some days since stating such to be
his intention. There is the note," l
said, haudimg over the one was read
lug when called to attend the wounded
man.
The two strangers bent theie heads
over it and scanned it together.
"Hah" exclaimed he who had spoken
FIRST see he asks you here to meet
him at an out-of. the-way place. Did
you do so?"
~ did not" answered. 81 came
in late and did not receive the message
in time"
The men conferred briefly aside.
Then one of them spoke up quickly,
while both eyed me sharply:
"A body identified as that Of How
ard Beccles has been found floating in
the river with bullet wound in the
breast. He was never seen alive after
the time at which he here app ints to
meet you. As officers of the law it is
our plain duty to follow every clew,
and We must begin by searching these
premises"
One of the first objects brought to
at was the watch already spoken of.
1t was opened eagerly, ami again the
tive heads met in close inspection.
Il think We need proceed no further"
spoke up one of the men, e1citedly.
I" This is the murdered mans watch,
bearing the makers name and number
as We have them from the man who last
repaired it."
And before l had time to realize the
locked in cell on charge of murder!
No one doubted my guilt. 1 was
young and comparatively friendless;
and, to the circumstance of the victims
watch being found in my possession.
and that of the note inviting me to meet
him, others were soon added--amODg
them my mysterious movements Oh the
night in question, which had not passed
unnoticed.
My account of the manner in which
l had gained possession of the watch
was received with derision-its iuprob
ability, in the minds of many, adding
fresh link TO the chain of evidence
against me.
A jury of my countrymen pro-
nounced me guilty, and the ja3ge, af
ter denouncing me Gs a monster of in
lquity, pronounced upon me the laws
dread sentence. The days sped rapid
ly after that. had but q week left to
live, when one day. as peered through
the grating Of my cell, new prisoner
was led past. he turned his head and
a cry escaped me. It was Howard
Beccles!
You herei" he exclaimed.
Yes; condemned to die for your
murder!"
" What good joke if it wasn't SO
seriousl' he said: land what fools
judges and juries are sometimes. A
year ago, in a neighboring city may
as well own up, for they have clear
proof against mel made too free with
mp employers money. When you
knew me was fugitive under an as
sumed name. The day wrote you the
note had received an intimation that
detectives were on my track. I deter
mined to sail for Europe, and wished
to intrust You with some slight COM
missions before departing.
After waiting as long as l could at
the place appointed in nay note, was
hurrying to go aboard the vessel on
which had taken passage, when Was
attacked by three men. One of them
grabbed my watch, while another at
tempted to secure my money. Before
he could succeed I drew my pistol and
fired, and the robber staggered back.
In the confusion which ensued I es-
capped and reached the ship, which
sailed almost Immediately.
But ill luck pursued me. The au-
thorities gained trace of me, and here l
am fast in their clutches. Doubtless
you would have heard the good news
sooner-for good it must be to you-bnt
as I've been brought back in my own
name. and haven't seen any of my old
acq uaintances, 1 suppose that accounts
for my identity with the late Howard
Beccles not being sooner discovered"
As looked on the face before me,
was struck with its wonderful resem-
blance to the wounded man WHOM
had been SO mysteriously called to at
tend, and whose body had evidently
been disposed of by casting it into the
river.
That day [ walked forth free man