The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-06


when my eve was caught by some
thing bright among the bushes by the
wavside. Yes. there could be no doubt
of it, there lazy the lost box, empty of
course. Without stopping, however, |
walked as calmly as possible on to the
inspector. aud was introduced to Mr..
Shears. the editor 1t was simply Won
derful how 0bliging | had become. l
even. when Mr.. Muggridge limited that
he was pressed for time, volunteered
myself to give Mr.. Shears the informa-
ton he wished. and to go over the prem
ises with him. Once left alone with the
Jealous representative OF the press, L
gave that gentleman all the points of the
case and few more. as you shall see.
The n0Nt afternoon as soon MS copy
of the Banier came to the house where
the robbery occurred had for the last
two days spent from the forenoon until
dusk there turned to the end of the
column devoted to the Great Robbery,
and read. with a chuckle, the announce
ment that 1.-THE loss of the jewels would
be less felt had there not been between
the two bottoms of the box almost two
hundred pounds III bank notes, of which.
unfortunately, the numbers had not been
taken
Probably the intelligent reader sees
my plan: but certainly | did not choose
to explain it to Mr.. Muggridge, when,
| an hour later, that worthy but excitable
gentleman rode up, very hot and very
red. up the shadeless road. to complain
of nv having made a confounded mess
| of the account, You know. | simply
advised him to wait for very few days,
and then would be happy to explain
everything / knew.
| That evening. as usual. | left the
grounds at dusk. after spending most Of
the day in Watching though apparently
engaged in something else-whether any
one went near the spot. few hundred
wards from the grounds. where lay the
box on which | especially depended as II
bait to hook the thief BY walking
slowly | managed to let the shades of
evening close around me before was far
beyond the spot where had made up
my mind to watch and wait.
Eight, Nine! We're they never COM
ing? and was my trap laid and baited in
vain? Ten. Surely they should have
| come by this time. Still Was that
sound on the road? Yes, and coming
| from the village. There were evidently
several of them. and l began to regret
not having brought some help. Nearer
they came laughing and talking, as l
cautiously drew further back from the
road And now they were opposite the
spot where the box lay hid. But what!
They've gone by, and in the hearty
gutfaw of a man furthest away of the
three. | recognize Farmer Lobbins, an
honest fellow. whose acquaintance | had
made during my short stay After tins
sell had almost given up, and actually
making up my mind to abandon the
affair. when faint sound from
down the road made me crouch as
low as possible once more. 1t made no
hoax this time. A short, thin man.
whom | easily recognized rs man OF all
work who had been helping the gar
dener that day, was walking steaithlly
down the road, close to the bushes. As
soon us he reached the spot where the
box had been thrown, he lit small lam
tern to aid him in his search. This time
! felt sure and so. when the man blew
out the light. after securing the sup
posed treasure, the capture was then
made.
sob. why. yes, observed the worthy
Mr.. Muggridge. who was in the Office
when l brought in the prisoner that
night. Il thought as much; I've had my
eye ON that fellow all along.
The man made confession; indeed he
was caught il the act. and could not
deny it. The jewels we're all recovered,
and the reward proved very useful in
helping me to marry and settle down
quietly. when. one month later | re-
ceived my promotion.