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


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-I
did also A carriage awaited her at the
station-I secured 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 a manner with the loss
to me of several thousands of pounds
| went to the police station, told them
what | 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 Sad
died after coming into large property
in the county. She had two Sous.-
One had been in the navy, and had
lost his lite in the wreck of the Royal
Charter about 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 aud
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 50 forcibly that he evidently was
impressed by what | said The result Of
nv letter came, after a brief acknowledge
ment from the inspector. in the visit Of
gentleman four DAYS afterward
| was standing in my shop il was dub
morning in November. and the visitor who
came in spoke first TO my assistant, who re
ferred him TO me. and then in a moment |
recognized my fellow passenger Nc; wish
ing TO make everything quite public, | led
the way to the inner rpom reserved for
myself, and handed the gentleman char.
He was too excited to st down. bus began
his story at once.
@You remember the day Travelled with
you from Holyhcad, sir 2
Perfectly" | replied. Il have too
good reason to remember it.
so have I. had been on the Angie
sea coast all night before. searching for
some rclie--perhaps the bOdy--of my
drowned brother l had only twenty-iour
hours and was Obliged to hurry back, with
only a few bits Of wood and iron gathered
from the wreckagc which strcwed the
beach. These put in a small, black hag.
a black bagy said /. Had you a
black bag, too -
Listen, said the gentleman. Il saw
that yoa had one. and / remarked that it
was like minc--so much - that a; Chester,
where you got out and did not, you may
remember YOU took my bag with wa in
stead Of y0ar own. felt sure You were
coming back. for yoa had left your coat
and umbrella in the carriage, 80 did 10;
follow you.
eYe, said /, getting excited, -.bui that
does NOT account
Wait a moment, said tbs gentleman
| know perfectly what you would say. Il
does noi account for my not advertising
your bag. or making some sort Of sign all
this time-quite so--you viii understand
presently how It has happened.
| sat down and begged him To DO the
same
When got out at Grove, took. Is |
Supposed, my bag When reached home
found that my poor mother, whom had
left in the most utter grief aud prcssraiioa
at nv brahcr's death had not rallied al
an told oar doctor, who was there that
my search for any personal relie q my
brother had been fruitlsss, but that had
few bits of iron aud wood from the
wreck.
The doctor advised me to say nothing
10 her about it, Dot 10 tell her even that |
had these sad relics. put the bag just a.
il was into a cupboard in my own n-om and
locked il up. That very day had 10 leave
England had a business engagement
which took me to Australia. II broke
my engagement il would have involved my
mother in considerable pecuniary loss. She
knew had to 20, and she did not ike me
20 stay, and a. my sister aud 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
10 catch the steamer bound for Melbourne.
| only returned yesterday morning The
frst thing | heard after greeting my moth
er was
Where Is the bag You brought with
you from Moelfra?" ?"
in my room, ! said
Get it for me. said she.
Without another word, though won
dered how she had heard Of it, went 10
my room, unlocked the cupboard, found
the bag Just as had left it, ard took ii
down stairs | WAS just going to open it
when, to my still further surprise, my
mother said
Are you quite sure that Is your bag,
Arthur
Il looked at her in astonishmeni
~Well, mother, / said, Il am as sure AZ
a human being can be of anything
did you open it after you came home,
dear?n
Il thought for a moment, then said
No; am certain did not. could not
bear it.
Then, said my mother, '.be prepared
for surprise | think you will lind that
YOU have some one else's bag.
Il did not answer, for was trying to
unlock the bag.
1T is very odd, | said 'my key won't
open it.
aMy 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 Inspec-
tor of Police at Grove He continued the
story. But first he placed on the table my
''bIack bag"
There sir, said he, is your bag-you
were quite right-this gentleman took it
by mistake That morning, when Mrs.
- sent for me, found the bag unopen-
ed. | forced the lock and found your
name inside the bag. The contents are in
tact, as you viii see.
l opened my safe, and before | would
allow them to opea my bag took his from
the shelf, and, placing it beside my own,
mo al tLroa sa1ny tbat in Siza mako indeed