The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-02-25
THE JEWELERS. STORY.

1t was on the 93ih OF October. 1853
that was returning 10 England, having
taken the steamer al DuDlln for Holy
head. business had taken me to Ireland
i am ,jewelcr-and it had been neccs-
firm in Dublin. was bringing back Ger
tain valuable Jewels which required re-
setting-diamonds of great value. and
some other things of less Importance,
but still valuable.
found all the passengers talking on
one suhiect-the terrible and appalling
wreck which had occurred only three
days before. off Mnelfra on the Angle
sea coast No less than 4l6 lives were
( lost that night when the Rog"l CHHrttr
was totally wrecked. She was screw
steamer commanded by Captain Taylor.
\ large sum of money-G100 000t0 cS00-
0000 in gold--was lost also. it WIS sup
posed: but | since learned that some of
the gold has been recovered. | am a
silent man hahituallv. and the awe in
the voices Of my fellows passengers struck
me forcibie: but | had another reason, as
will presently appear. in remembering
my journey from Dublin to London on
this occasion.
| carried the Jewels. which | have al
ready mentioned. in small black hand
In and e., T
from care. Arriving at HoIyhead. took
my seat in an empty railway carriage.
Just us the train was moving off. how
ever a gentleman suddenly got in. He
sat down nearly opposite me. SO had a
good opportunity of observing his APP
pearance. | noticed that he was Young.
apparently not more than four and TWEEN
ty, that he had broad black band round
his hat and that on his face were traces
Of recent sorrow. almost. in fact. of All
tation. He seemed relieved at having
caught the train and being, like myself.
gate diSinclined for conversation, our
journey proceeded in silence
Ny bag lay beside me, and quite under
my eyes. | was tired after my crossing.
and fell into a sort of doze. On waking
instantly glanced at my bag. There it
lay. quite safe. My companion, how
at Chester. aud here thought | would
get out and walk little, as we had ten
minutes to wait. | took my bag and got
ont. On my return to the train there
was my companion. apparently asleep.
! got into the carriage without disturb
ing him. ard we continued our tourney.
At Crcwe, our next Stopping place. he
got out and did not come back. | was
very tired now and fell into Sleep. with
my hand holding the handle of my black
bag. did not wake until reached Lon
don: then. getting in the first hanson I
saw. and still carrying my precious bag.
Of which | was heartily tired. | drove
home. On my arrival with a method
which suppose is habitlal to man in
my trade, opened it. Imagine my dis
may at finding that, Instead Of my dia-
m"nds, it contained only some rusty bits
of iron aud wooden debris. Ny bag was
gone. This other BAG had been care
fully substituted for it, so clevcrlv in
deed, the weight as well as the appear
ance had been judged.
put the affair into the hands Of the
police. giving them exactly every partcl,-
lar as have written it. The bag was
lost.
\ year after the events narrated in the
last chapter, WAS again travelling on the
line which takes passengers to lIolvhead.
1t was il the beginning Of October as
well as | remember
Travelled tirst-class. my usual custom
when | have a long journey before me.
During the year not a sign had been
given Of the missing bag or the jewels,
hut had not yet really despaired OF re-
covering it aud them, for | had a certain
unacco1ntahle feeling about the whole
thing; that there was some mystery about
it I felt sure
Regularly each Wednesday in every
week hal called at Scotland Yard and
always had the same answer = Nothing
vet, sir" The reward had offered WIS
sufficient to insure certain interest. and
the police, firmly believed, were as keen
in the matter as could wish.
On the October morning in 1860 trav-
eled with lady who was in deep mouril-
ing. The day was chilly, and she wore
several wraps: but. getting warm in the
carriage. she presently threw aside a fur
cloak she was wearing. and my eye was
instantly attracted by handsome brooch
she had on. in which was a portrait.
Without appearing to do SO, and with
sudden feeling of in crest and curiosity
for which | cannot account, managed
to get nearer view of the portrait. 1t
was the face of the young man who had
travelled with me the year before when
lost my bag. was 80 certain of this
that resolved not to continue my jour
ney until | had acquainted the police
with this fact.
The train stopped at Crewe, the place
where had remembered the young man
had left the train on our up Journey the
previous year. Hence the lady alighted
i did also. y carriage awaited her at
the staton-I secured a fly and directed
the driver to follow the carriage. | dis
covered 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 no.
ticed it only in a casual way at the time,
had nevertheless been stamped upon my
mind and connected in such a manner
with the loss to me Of several thousands |
OF pounds.
went to ;he police station told them
what | had seen and What my suspicious
We're. They listened attentivel2 to what
l said, and told me that must be mis-
taken that the lady in question was well
known. the widow of an officer who had
died just after coming into large prop
erty i'll the country. She had had two
sons. One had been III the navy. aud
had lost his life in the wreck of the Roy
al Charter about Il year previously. The
other was expected home every day, and
has been away almost ever since the eud