The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-30

parently, desultory conversation with
his wife. They waved their hands on
catching our eye, and beckoned to us
to come and join them, which we did net
Mr.. Gregory, instead OF going on with
his reading, continued to regard them
intently, and asked us whether we knew
them.
We said, emo"
"But they seem to know you," he
said.
We explained how they had favored
us with their attentions. To our disap-
pointment, he could not be induced to
to stare at the couple before him and
when at last they strolled off in different
directions, he said that he must apollo
gize for having an engagement, and he
left us abruptly. GA strange young
man, indeed +" we thought, and we were
still more surprised when in about an
hour he returned, and asked my uncle
to be allowed short private conversa-
ton with him. My uncle seemed
startled ut 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:
Il am about, sir, said Mr.. Gregory,
8" to refer to your private affairs to an ex-
tent which will surprise you, but l hope
| to be able to render you a service which
will be an ample excuse for my intrusion.
You are. believe, returning to town to-
morrow"
yes"
"The cause of your return Is, / be-
lieve, connected with the forgery of q
certain check in your name"
"Sr, how can you possibly know
that?"
"That check was brought to you for
your inspection three days ago by one
OF the clerks from the bank, a Mr.. Smith,
and 1t is now in your possession.
Ny uncle WAS speechless.
"Hear me further. The accuracy Of
my statements hitherto may claim Gre
dence for what / am about to affirm.
Unless / am greatly mistaken, there are
now in this establishment two persons
who have been employed to regain pos
session, at all costs, of that forged paper.
They suspect that you haze it, and al
ready your room and your daughter and
niece's room have been searched, and it
only remains to search your person.
Ny uncle turned pale.
T" 1t is known that you are leaving to-
morrow morning, and the attempt will
be made between now and then. Will
You allow me to offer you my advice ?"
l will not attempt to describe my re-
spected uncle's condition Of body and
mind at this part of the interview. Sui
fec it to saw that tho protlered advice
was ultimately adopted.
On that evening my uncle declined to
accompany us when, an hour after DIM
ner. the house emptied on to the prom
enade. Mr.. Gregory also was missing,
and bad not appeared at dinner. The
Rev. Mr.. Briggs took us under his care.
Nv uncle was already nodding In his
chair as we went out. Twenty minutes
afterward two of the company softly re-
entered the room. This l had from an
witness. 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 pocket-book just
showing in his breast-pocket.
Mr.. Grice crept up to him, abstracted
the book with practiced hand, put it
into his own pocket, and turned to go.
Now, as he re-crossed the room, he had
TO pass before a large lounge, with long
hangings in front, and he was, per-
haps, somewhat surprised to find his
ankles seized in the firm grip OF pair
of hands thrust out suddenly from I'M
der the lounge. As he fell, his amiable
partner turned round--into the arms OF
ment Mr.. Gregory entered through the
window from the balcony.
"1'his is your pocket-book, sir" said
one of the detectives.
"Thank YOU" said my uncle. at
has nothing in it, but l am glad to have
it back again."
Mr.. and Mrs. Grice were removed at
once to another public establishment in
the neighborhood, where the company
was very select, the hours very regular,
and maintenance very cheap "a style OF
establishment which it was subsequent
~ proved they had frequented in more
than one part of the country.
Amid considerable excitement we
promenaded late that night. My uncle
odlu
"You have rendered me service, sir,
which lays me under the deepest obliga-
ton to you. L have no doubt that the
origioal 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 their guilt, and prevent
us from submitting it to experts.
Thanks to you, they have failed. can
only say how welcome will be any OPP
portunity of making any return to you,
however slight"
81 shall certainly take you at your
word, sir" was the answer.
"And now, Mr.. Gregory" continued
my uncle, twill you pardon our curiosity
if we beg You to tell us the means by
which you we're able to divine the in
tentions of our departed friends ?"
"Oh, Mr. Gregory" cried Lily, "you
must tell us. We are on thorns to know,
and will do anything in the world you
like 70 mention If you will tell us.
"On those terms l CONSENT" said he,
with q curious look at Lily, which made
her suddenly blush very much, as