The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-03-05
AN OCEAN CHASE.
BY A DETECTIVE.

"Ahal Burleigh, here's job for you
lone that's got game in it, and long
chase, perhaps. F"
1t was the chief Of the Scotland Yard
detective force who spoke, as he stepped
into the private Office, A knot of "hale
fellows well met, and I, an American,
among the number, were engaged in a
game of whist. threw down my cards.
The chief handed me telegram, which
read as follows:
READING. Charles Burton, the infant
heir OF Beenham lodge, was stolen FROM the
lodge last night, It is suspected, by the nurse,
IN whose charge IL was placed. She has dis
appeared. She is tall; blonde hair, blue
eyes; graceful and easy In her manners, aud
wears pain, dark costume. Large reward
Tor her capture, and the recovery of the
child. EDWARD PoRDAGE.
s'Where is Bcenham lodgep l in
quired, as soon had glanced at the dis
patch
<'Ncar Reading"
''The nurse will come to London with
the chiId.n
''That is not so certain. This is doubt
less scheme to remove the heir to the
Beenham estate by some person orpersons
who are itching to obtain possession
after Sir Edward Pordages death.n
''Then you think they will not run the
hazard Of bringing the child heref"
'Certainly not"
With flash my mind was made up.
I started out of the office, and in few
minutes was in train that was bearing
me at a rapid rate toward Reading.
Upon my arrival l secured a private
conveyance, and, after drive of a few
miles, was landed at the entrance to the
lodge. was met by a gentleman, who
received me with much warmth and
withal agitation when i informed him
that had been placed on the case.
''I'he object of my hasty visit is to
CLEAN some of the facts in the case, and
TO follow up any intelligent clew, If there
Oe any. Was this your child that was
stolen, Sir Edwardg"
''Bless you, mol / am a bachelor
never was married. Charles Burton was
the child of my sister. am his uncle,
and by will have made him the lineal
male heir to the Beenham estates"
"Haye you any other relatives, Sir
Edwardp
eyes; another sister, spinster, Miss
Applebee Lowage, lives with me, and
has been my housekeeper for many years.
She has also managed much of my busi-
ness affairs of late, as l feel the weight
of years increasing upon me-"
"Who was the nurse, and what was
her nameW
s'My spinster sisters waiting maid.
Her name is Percy-Miss Jane Percy. A
more docile, winning, and obedient SER
want we have never had in our employ.
Charles Burton's mother died soon after
Charles was born, and we took the help
less little infant to our home and nursed
it with the tenderest care. Miss Percy
took such an interest in the child that
she was given the sole charge, and seemed
to love it with a mothers love. Oh,
trust no harm has befalleD it, wherever il
has been takenn
''What is its ageg"
"About year"
s'What motive, think you, was there
for the abduction of the childT
''None that can see, unless the ex'
pectation of securing large reward for
It's return"
'sThen you do not suspect that ploi
has been formed among some branch o.
your relatives for the removal of thu
childq'
Sir Edward stopped for a moment, a
if a flash Of new light had entered hi
mind; but he stamped his ponderou
cane on the floor and Indignantly re
piled:
"My relatives steal that poor, helpless
babel No, perish the very thought of it
Not one could so dishonor the name o,
Applebee or Pordage."
As / arose to depart, an elderly lady o
the genuine spinster type walked gravel.
into the room and glanced furtively a
me as she advanced. c
This is Mr.-Mr. -
'Burleigh," I interjected, to help tn
old mans memory.
"Hes a detective sent down fror
London to discover our poor lost child
and he wants to get all the information
he can. Sister, give him all you can
You know what Miss Percy wore an
what clothing the child had on.
g presume, Sir Edward, you can d
that, she replied. rather tartly, an