The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-02-02

He found it duly recorded, and learnt that
the young man was curate Of ST. Blaise 9
church, one of the largest and poorest par
ishes in the east of London.
The parson made his appearance at din
ner and created favorable impression.
He won Mr.. Bittleston's heart by taking
an immense interest in the house and
grounds, and insisted on being shown over
them. His tales of the suffering poor of
his parish, and his modest references to his
own arduous life, elected the sympathy Of
the ladies, and, in fact, the evening passed
off so well that on his raising to leave old
Mr.. Bittleston pressed him to remain day
in the neighborhood so as to visit the church
and other objects of local interest.
''No, thank you. I'm afraid we must
not linger," he said, shaking his host warmly
by the hand; 1--WE have our work cut out
to row to Oxford and back to town by
Saturday 1 must think of my compan-
ions"
"Well, at all events, come and have
breakfast with us tomorrow" said the old
gentleman.
1--WE must be several stages on our road
before your breakfast hour" he said, as he
.,..lrted the ladies in turn; 'bye-the-bye,' he
added addressing Mr.. Bittleston, 'there is.
one small favor venture to ask of you
May | leave portmanteau here, and fetch
it on our way down on Friday or Satur-
day?
Certainly" said the old gentleman
promptly.
II find we have good many things We
shan't need, now that the weather has set
in fair he explained; "there are always
some cooking utensils we can dispense with.
1t is desirable to tighten our boat, and by
leaving the portmanteau here l shall have
an excuse for calling ON our way back"
:'We shall be delighted to see you, said
Mr.. Bittleston; "and if you leave the port
manteau at the house tomorrow morning
it shall be taken care of.
The Rev. Mark then took his departure.
Next morning the party had left when the
family came down to breakfast, but the
parson had entrusted the portmanteau to
one of the servants The following day he
wrote few lines to Mr.. Bittleston from
Reading, sending piece of music which he
had recommended one of the young ladies
to get, and begging that she would accept
it, as he happened to come across it in a
music shop in the town. The little act of
politeness excited less attention than it
might otherwise have done, because the
letter arrived while everyone was in a great
state of excitement The discovery had
lust been made that large quantity of
iewelry, plate and other articles had been
distracted from safe in Mr.. Bittleston's
dressing-room The loss was so consider
able that Mr.. Bittleston Immediately tele-
graphed to Scotland Yard, not caring to en-
trust the matter to the local police, In re-
sponse detective appeared upon the scene
and made careful inspection of the prem
ises. The safe was uninjured, and the
lock had not been tampered with.
at was cleverly done, but there was no
magic in it, y said the inspector, a sharp-eyed
little man named Hardiss. ''The lock is
very ordinary one and has evidently been
opened with key"
'sBut who could have done it? | am
about the house and grounds all day, and
nobody could have gone in and out without
being Observed said Mr. Bittleston, in a
great huster.
'sIt's case of burglary" answered the
inspector; ''there are no signs of forcible
entrance having been effected, but some of
the windows on the ground floor have no
shutters, and may have been unlocked" ."
''Then you don't suspect any of the ser
wants" said Mr.. Bittleston; "indeed l can
answer for them ALL
''Well," said the inspector, struggling his
shoulders, II can't express an opinion at
present. Have you had any stranger in
the house lately?''
"No." said Mr.. Bittleston, adding, as he
remembered the Rev. Mark Avery, "by-
the-by, clergyman dined heFe night or
two ago-a curate of London parish. He
was the only visitor the last few days
The inspector asked no questions about
the parson, but Mr.. Bittleston resolved to
make journey by the East-end, and as
certain beyond doubt that the Rev. Mark
was the person he represented himself to
be. He had no difficulty about this, and
had the satisfaction of feeling, upon his
return, that he had not committed an in
discretion. 1t so happened that when he
called at the Rev. Mark Avery address he
met his friends vicar coming out of the
door. Mr.. Bittleston easily ascertained that
the young curate had gone on boating
expedition to Oxford with two companions,
and this evidence appeared quite conclusive.
He made clumsy excuse to the vicar to
account for his solicitude, aud made his
way home, feeling ashamed of himself.
The following evening, Inspector Hardiss
called to report progress, and to ask few
further questions. Mr.. Bittleston was out
in the garden, and the officer joined him
on the lawn.
sits puzzle, and that's a fact" said
Hardiss, when his inquiries had been salts
fed; give come to the conclusion it has
been done by some one in the house. No
stranger has been in the neighborhood, and
it's downright impossible that any one could
have got away with the swag without being
noticed in little place like this"
aWhere are the things, then p inquired
Mr. Bittleston, testify.
"Not very far off, can't help thinking, "
answered the inspector; with your per-
mission will search the premises thor
oughly, including the garrets and cellars. I"
While the inspector was speaking, Mr..
Bittlestonls youngest daughter, a glFl Of IA
came running across the lawn. "Papa,
she cried, ''isn't that Mr.. Avery? He is
rowing stroke in that boat, and he has evil
IDENTIFY forgotten the house, but his port
manteau is here. u
sBy Jove believe it is Avery and his
friends" cried Mr. Bittleston, as the boat
swept quickly past the lawn in midstream
at the best pace the oarsmen could COM
mand. ''Hi, you Confound him! why
can't he look round? Boat ahoy
But though Mr., Bittleston had good
lungs, and though broad sheet of water is
an excellent conductor of sound, his voice
failed to arrest the attention of the occu-
II L nxyar