The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1882-04-01

A year after the events narrated in the
last chapter I was again travelling on
the line which takes passengers to
Holyhead. II was in the beginning Of
October, as we'll as ! remember.
I Travelled first-class, my usual Gus
tom when have long journey before
me. During the year not sign had
been given Of my missing bag or the
jewels, but ] had not really despaired
yet of recovering IL and them, for I had
a certain unaccountsble feeling about
the whole thing; that there was some
mystery about it, I felt sure.
Regularly every Wednesday in every
week had called at Scotland Yard, and
always had the same answer-"Noth-
ing yet, sir"
The reward / had offered was sufi-
cient to insure a certain interest, and
the police, I firmly. believe, were as
keen in the matter ss I could wish.
On this October morning, in 1860, I
travelled with lady who was in deep
mourning. The day was chilly, and
she wore several wraps 1but, getting
warm in the carriage, she presently
threw aside fur cloak she was wear
ing, and my eye was instantly attracted
by \ handsome brooch she had on, in
which was q portrait.
Without appearing to do so, and with
sudden feeling OF interest and curios-
ity for which I cannot account, man
aged to get q nearer view of the por
trait.
1t was the face of the young man
who had travelled with me the year he
fore when had lost my bagl
was so certain of this that resolved
not to continue my journey until I had
acquainted the police with this fact.
The train stopped at Crewe, the place
where the young man had left the train
on our up journey the previous year.
Here the lady alighted; did also. A
carriage awaited her ct the station. I
secured fly, and directing the driver
to follow the carriage I discovered
where the lady drove TOTO her own
house, evidently. She appeared to be
in an excellent position, and to be
wealthy.
was not deferred by this discovery,
for felt I could not be mistaken about
face which, though I had certainly
noticed it only in casual way at the
time, had nevertheless been stamped
up 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 sus-
picions we're. They listened attentively
to what said, and then said that !
must be mistaken-that the lady in
question was well known, the widow of
an officer who had died just after COM
ing 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 year pre-
viously. The other was expected home
every day. and had been away almost
since the end of last October.
1t was impossible, they said, to make
inquiries in such direction. Ill-satis-
fed and disappointed I found myself
compelled to leave matters as they
we're; but on my return to London I
wrote to the head of the police once
more, and reiterated my convictions so
forcibly that he evidently was impressed
by what I said. The result of my letter
came, after q brief acknowledgment
from the inspector, in the visit Of a
gentleman four days afterward.
was standing in my shop; it was q
dull morning in November, and the
visitor who came in spoke first to my
assistant, who referred him to me, and
then in q moment I recognized my
fellow-passenger.
Not wishing to make anything quite
public I led the way to the inner room
I 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 I travelled
with you from Holyhead. sir?" he said.
p" Perfectly" I replied. 81 have too
good reason to remember it,"
$50 have I. had been on the An
glesea coast all the night before, search
ing for some relic, perhaps the body, of
I-I l~a4las LII al