The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-14

Beside the portmanteau he had
black valise, which he guarded with
such particular care that L began to
wonder what was in it. In fact, / sus-
pected he was one of that dynamite
gang"
Had your husband black valise?"
inquired Mr.. Brook, turning TO Mrs.
Medd.
"No; but he had a portmanteau.
Il kept close watch on the man."
continued the the detective. "and fol-
lowed him everywhere. Wherever he
went he carried the valise about with
him. At length / arrested him. He
went to music hall one night and
came out without the valise. He said
he had been robbed of it, and seemed
fustered, but we didn't believe it at
the time. We thought he had passed
it on to some one, seeing we were after
him. He refused TO give any account
of himself, or TO say what was in the
valise. We therefore searched his lug
gage, and finding card with Mr..
Medd's name on it, and the initials 5.
Nj. on his linen, we concluded the port
manteau and its contents belonged to
Mr.. Medd."
Have you asked the man how he
came by the thing?" inquired Mr..
Brook.
"He denies ever having heard of Mr..
Medd, and says the card was given to
him 10y mistake. The initials s. NJ.
mean, according to him, Montague
Smith, which he gives as his name;
but, of course, that's all bunkum,"
said the officer, with wink.
"What sort of person is that man
Smith ?" demanded Mr.. Brook.
"Oh, countryfed sort of chap.
Seems as if he came up to London on
spree. Went to the Derby with rowdy
party from the clearinghouse, and to
theaters and music halls every night;
got drunk once, and wanted to fight
policeman. L shouldn't have arrested
him if it hadn't been for that valise.
Now, sir, are You ready?"
"If You will kindly wait for me below;
should like to speak two words to the
| lady," said Mr.. Brook, quietly. You
can call a cab if you please.
Bhe detective glanced rather uneasily
at the lawyer and disappeared. He had
barely time to call cab, however, ere
Mr. Brook descended with Mrs. Medd,
who looked very pale, and her eyes
were red from weeping.
rs he a rough-looking man-this
Smith 2" inquired Mr.. Brook, as the
cab rolled over the stones.
Well not exactly that. Stout and
red-faced. with sandy hair and whiskers.
Wore blue spectacles till he was
arrested; but doesn't seem to have any
thing the matter with his eyes. Would
the lady like the window down."
"Thank You. 1t is sitting hot in
here, and Mrs. Medd is naturally
greatly upset." said Mr.. Brook. Il
suppose the prisoner has appeared
before a magistrate, and been remanded
for inquiries?"
yes; he wouldn't open his mouth, so
the magistrate had no alternative" said
the officer. Tomorrow he will be
brought up again, and charged with
unlawful possession of property be-
longing to Mr.. Medd-that is, of
course, if the lady can identify the
things"
No further conversation took place
till they reached the police station.
| The Inspectorin charge, n taciturn in
dividual, proceeded without comment
to the business on hand, and produced
the portmanteau which had been found
at the prisoners lodgings.
Does this belong to your husband,
ma'am?' he asked, solemnly.
Certainly not said Mrs. Medd,
with emphasis.
What! are you sure, ma'am?" in
terposed the officer who had accom-
panied them.
Quite sure. No. None of those
things belong to my husband There
is mistake" she asseverated as the
Inspector silently produced two or
three articles.
I'm afraid you've arrested an in
nocent man." remarked Mr. Brook,
rather slyly. The only shadow of
evidence against your prisoner is that
card, which he probably came by quite
! innocently.7
"Oh, of course, that doesen't go for
much" said the Inspector, after ex-
changing q meaning glance with his
subordinate. IF the lady says these
things don't belong to her husband, we
must believe her No one else can
| lOtDiiiN bIitiH II ollc CdAl
"Then-then this poor man viii be
released" said Mrs. Medd, eagerly.
I'VE can offer no evidence against
him." said the Inspector, shortly. Il
suppose he will be released tomorrow.
Mrs. Medd, who seemed strangely
agitated, was about to put further
questions, when the lawyer interfered,
and rather hastily led her away.
"My dear madam" he said sharply,
when they were alone in the cab, you
must leave everything to me-"
"But--but-he is in prison." ex-
claimed Mrs. Medd, bursting into tears
Served him right" growled the
lawyer, under his breath. The best
! thing you can do, he added, referring
| to his watch, as to return home by the
next train, if you are equal to the
journey. 1 will bring your husband
back safely tomorrow.
The poor lady who was evidently
overweight, made no objection to the
proposal, and the cabman being urged
to use his best speed, reached the