The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-04

my DdS. l. WAS 50 ceTldln Vi llllS IIldI L
resolved not to continue my journey until [
had acquainted the police with the fact.
The train had stopped at Grove, the
place where | remembered the young man
had left the train on our journey up the
previous year. Here the lady alighted II
did also. A carriage awaited her at the
station-I secured a fly, and directing the
driver to follow the carriage, [ discovered
where the lady drove to- Her own house,
evidently She appeared to be in excellent
position, and to be wealthy.
was not deferred by this discovery, for
felt | could not be mistaken about face
which, though [ had certainly noticed it
only in casual way at the time, had new
ertheless been stamped upon my mind, and
connected in such manner with the loss
to me of several thousands of pounds,
went to the police station, told them
what l had seen and what my suspicious
were. They listened attentively to what [
said, and then told me that | must be mis-
taken that the lady in question was we'll
known, the widow of an officer who had
died after coming into large property
in the county She had two sons
One had been in the navy, and had
lost his life in the wreck Of the Royal
Charter about a year previously. The
other was expected home every day and
had been away almost ever since the end
of last October.
1t was impossible, they said, to make in
quiries in that direction dissatisfied and
disappointed, | found myself compelled to
leave matters as they were but on my re-
turn to London [ wrote to the head of the
police once more, and reiterated my con-
victions so forcibly that he evidently was
impressed by what [ said. The result of
my letter came, after brief acknowledge
ment from the inspector, in the visit Of a
gentleman four days afterward.
| was standing in my shop; it was dull
morning in November, and the visitor who
came in spoke first to my assistant, who re-
ferred him to me, and then in moment |
recognized my fellow passenger. Not wish.
ing to make everything quite public, led
the way to the inner room, | reserved for
myself, and handed the gentleman chair.
He was too excited to sit down, but began
his story at once.
''You remember the day | travelled with
you from Holyhead, sir? p
''Perfectly,'' [ replied. Il have too
good reason to remember it.
so have l. [ had been on the Angle
sea coast all night before, searching for
some relic-perhaps the body-of my
drowned brother. ! had only twenty.four
hours, and was obliged to hurry back, with
only few bits of wood and iron gathered
from the wreckage which strewed the
beach. These put in small, black bag.
"a black bag?" said [. Had you a
black bag, too?''
Listen" said the gentleman. Il saw
that you had one, and [ remarked that 1t
was like mine-so much so that at Chester,
where you got out and [ did not, you may
remember you took my bag with you in
stead of your own. [ felt sure you were
coming back, fof you had left your coat
and umbrella in the carriage, so [ did not
follow you"
Eyes" said I, getting excited, ''but that
does not account
"Wait a moment, said the gentleman.
| know perfectly what you would say. 1t
does not account for my not advertising
your bag, or making some sort Of sign all
this tilre-=qHite so-you will understand
presently how it has happened"
I sat down and begged him to do the
same.
"When I got out at Grove, [ took, as [
supposed, my bag. When reached home
[ found that my poor mother, whom had
left in the most utter grief and prostratlon
at my brothers death, had not rallied at
all; [ told our doctor, who was there, that
my search for any personal relic of my
brother had been fruitless, but that | had
a few bits of iron and wood from the
wreck.
The doctor advised ME to say nothing
to her about it, not to tell her even that L
had these sad relics. put the bag just as
it was into a cupboard in my own room and
locked it up. That very day | had to leave
England. | had business engagement
which took me to Australia If | broke
my engagement it would have involved my
mother in considerable pecuniary loss. She
knew | had to 90, and she did not like me
to stay, and as my sister and her husband
were with her and could take care of her,
[ left the house that very day, and jour
neyed back north to Liverpool, just in time
to catch the steamer bound for Melbourne.
| only returned yesterday morning The
first thing heard after greeting my moth
er was
Where is the bag you brought with
you from Moelfra?
I'm my room, | said.
Get it for me, said she.
without another word, though | Won
dered how she had heard of it, | went to
nv room, unlocked the cupboard, found
the bag just as [ had left it, and took it
down stairs. | was just going to open it
when, to my still further surprise, my
mother said:
care you quite sure that is your bag,
Arthur
II looked at her in astonishment.
"Well. mother, | said, II am as sure as
human being can be of anything.
did you open it after you came home
dear? ?"
Il thought for moment, then said
No; | am certain | did not. l could not
bear it. ="
'Then," said my mother, ''be prepared
for a surprise. 1 think you will find that
YOU have some one elses bag"
II did not answer, for | was trying to
unlock the bag. :.
at is very odd" | said ''mj key won't
open it"
"My mother rang the bell, and in walked
the inspector"
Here my visitor ceased speaking, and
walking hastily to the shop door he beck
oned to some person seated in handsome
cab close by. 1t was my friend the lnspec-
tor of Police at Grove He continued the
story. But first he placed on the table my
'black bag
'There sir" said he, is your bag-you
Il Too I