Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-09-20
"I say we're all r1oht"

he Wlnked, and struck the side of his
nose with his finger, and I mechanically
initiated his gesture. The train was
slackeniDg speed, but the captain-for
such l had decided was his rank-pro-
duced another bottle, this time of bran
dy, and we all three quafed to his es-
cape-Samuel, the telegraph clerk,
drinking. it seemed to me, rather more
than his share. "Adieu my preservcr,
exclaimed the officer, as the clerk rose
and carefully unlocked the door.
Fling out your bag" said the youth.
This was accordingly done. "Now
jump the way the train is going.''
We did SO, and although good deal
shaken, no harm was done, and we saw
the angry lights at the rear of the car
riages disappear with quickening speed
around curve.
Well, I'm off," exclaimed the clerk.
"Good luck to you, captain" and he
vanished in the darkness.
"Now, where on earth are we to 20
to ?" said my friend. CT only thought
of coming to Downley, because it was,
supposed, a quiet, retired place; but
don't know the neighbothood.''
II do, I said, "follow me-" He fol-
lowed me accordingly, and took him to
the little inn at which usually lodged,
and where 1 could obtain bed for hin.
This latter offer he declined. He said he
would just wash and have some bread
and cheese, and then walk across the
country to town he named, some few
miles of. /, of course, allowed him to
decide on his own movements without
comment, and in few minutes we ar
rived at my inn, which was luckily &
good way out Of Downley in our direc:
ton. Tired and splashed as he was, for
the night was still wet and tempestuous,
the officer decided, having "hjs crust, y
as he called it, which turned out to be a
very hearty meal of cold roast beef, be-
fore refreshing himself with a wash. I
then took him up stairs to my room, and
as we crossed the landing he said,
pointing to a staircase:
"Where does that flight lead to?
"Oh, only to the back yard of the
house" replied, and we entered.
had obtained two candles, and he
went, taking his valise with him, into
the dressiDg-room, while sorted some
papers which ! had brought down with
me. [ heard him washing, and in min
ute or two, hearing footstep coming:
from the drawing-room, looked up. l
recolled with an exclamation of alarm,
for there stood man in moleskin Jacket
and trousers, cloth cap and shaven free,
and close-cut hair.
"Who are you ?" exclaimed, grasp
ing my chair as a possible weapon of de-
Tense.
30, It's all right should say, if you
don't know me, said the man, and I rec.
ognlzed the voice of Captain de Morti-
mer.
"What!" 1 cried, more astonished
than before. s'In the name of all that
is wonderful, what does this mean?"
"You are not bad fellow, but you
are very green, returned the voice. "a
greater spooney I never saw-nof bet.
ter-hearted one. Why, old fellow; you
stare as if you had never read of shan,
morstache or beard. Good-by, old chap.
You have made mistake tonight, that's
all, and our sharp young friend of the
/ telegraph department has made much
greater. I won't ask you to shake
hands with me again, because you are a
gentleman and man of honor though
soft, and I am rogue; but take this. u
As he spoke he offered me ring.
81 don't want-,"I began.
"Nonsense," said he; stake it. 1t is
one OF the few things that are really and
honestly my own; believe me for once
when tell you I have had that ring TO,
twenty years. That's right. I wish you
good luck. Good-by."
He was gone; valise, moleskin clothes,
felt cap and all. I heard him run stealth,
lily down the back stairs, and I never
saw him again. I had disturbed sleep
that night, dreaming of officers, both OF
the army and of the police, and woke
very little refreshed in the morning
Luckily, the weather was now fine, anc
my business demanded that should bt
in Downley early.
As I entered the market-place 1 saw
several small groups staring at placards
evidently newly fixed; indeed, man wal
posting one up as got there. natural
~ stopped to see what it was about, anl
saw that it was headed, in bold type
"Robbery-95O0 reward" It went OF
to describe the appearance of Mr.. JOIN
Macely in such language as left very lit
tie doubt as to who was my companion
on the preceding evening.