The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-12-01
come and join them, which we did not


intently, and asked us whether we knew
them.
We said, "No." ..
"But they seem to know you," he
said.
We explained how they had favored
us with their attentions. To our dis
appointment he could not be induced
to go ON with his reading, but he con-
tinued to stare at the couple before us;
and when at last they strolled off in diff
ferent directions he said that he must
apologize for having an engagement,
and he left us abruptly. GA strange
young man, indeedp' we thought, and
we were still more surprised when in
at hour he returned and asked my uncle
to be allowed short private converse
ton with him. My uncle seemed
startled at this request land so, by the
way, did Lily, but after short pause
he led the way into an adjoining apart
ment.
The conversation which ensued, as
we subsequently learned, was as follows:
"I am about, sir" said Mr.. Gregory,
"to refer to your private affairs to an
extent which will surprise you, but
hope to be able to render you a service
which will be an ample excuse for my
intrusion. You are, [ believe, returning
to town tomorrow ?" .
"Yes."
"Ihe cause Of your return is, be-
lieve, connected with the forgery of a
certain check in your name."
"Sir, how can you possibly know
that 2"
"That check was brought to you for
your inspection three days ago by one
of the clerks from the bank, Mr..
Smith, and it is now in your posses
sion"
NTy uncle was speechless.
"Hear me further. The accuracy OF
my statements hitherto may claim
credence for what am about to affirm.
Unless I am greatly mistaken, there
are now in this establishment two per-
sons who have been employed to re-
gain possession at all costs of that
forged paper. They suspect that you
have it, and already your room and
your daughter and niece's room have
been searched and it only remains te
search your person"
My uncle turned pale.
"It is known that you are leaving to-
morrow morning, and the attempt will
be made between now and then. viii
you allow me to offer you my advice?'>
will not attempt to describe my re-
spected uncle's condition of body and
mind at this part of the interview, suf-
flee it to say that the proffered advice
was ultimately adODted,
On that evening my uncle declined to
accompany us when, an hour after din
nei, the house empt;ed on to the prone.
made. Mr.. Gregory was also missing,
and had not appeared at dinner. The
Rev. Mr.. Briggs took us under his care.
My uncle was already nodding in his
chair as we went out. Twenty minutes
afterward two of the company softly re-.
entered the room. This had from an
eyewitness. Their names were Mr.. and
Mrs. Grice. Mrs. Grice stood at the
door, and her husband advanced gently
across the floor to where my uncle lay
back in his chair, snoring audibly, his
handkerchief over his head, his coat
thrown. open, and pocketbook just
showing IN his breast pocket.
Mr.. Grice crept up to him, abstracted
the book with a practiced hand, put it
into his own pocket. and turned to go
Now, as he recrossed the room he had
to pass before large lounge, with long
hangings in front, and he was, perhaps,
somewhat surprised to find his ankles
seized in the firm grip of pair of hands
thrust out suddenly from under the
lounge. AS he fell, his amiable partner
turned round--into the arms Of detec-
tive officer. At the same moment Mr..
Gregory entered through the window
from the, balcony. 4
"This is your pocketbook, sir" said
one of the detectives.
"Thank you," said my uncle. "It
has nothing in it, but I am glad to have
it back again"
once to another public establishment in
the peighborhood, where the company
was very select, the hours very regular
and the maintenance very cheap-a style
of establishment which it was subse.
quently proved they had frequented in
more than one part of the country.
Amid considerable excitement we
promenaded late that night. My uncle
said:
You have rendered me q service,
sir, which lays me under the deepest
obligation to you. I have no doubt
that the original delinquents, of whom
these creatures are only the tools, will
be brought to justice. Finding that we
are on their track, they have made this
effort to destroy the proof of theii
guilt, and prevent US from submitting
it to experts. Thanks to you, they have
failed. / can only say how welcome
will be any opportunity of making anJ
returns to you, however slight"
81 shall certainly take you at your
word, sir" was the answer.
"And now, Mr.. Gregory" continued
my uncle, "will you pardon our curl
osityif we beg you to tell us the means
by which you were able to divine the
intentions of our departed friends?"
sob, Mr. Gregory" cried Lily, "you
must tell us. We are on thorns tc
know, and will do anything in the world
you like to mention if you will tel
u.s. y
-" On those terms consent" said he
with curious look at Lily, which made
her suddenly blush very much, as ]
could see even in the moonlight.
-"You may have noticed" began Mr.
Gregory, "thRt / am somewhat deaf
AID I have been much more so. In con
sequence of this 1 have acquired tn,
art, which 1 believe almost any one car
acquire, of reading the movements o
the lips in the same way that the dea
and dumb are taught to do, SO that