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

The party started down stream in pursuit,
Mr.. Bittleston steering and frequently bob
bing up and down in his excitement to try
and catch sight of the boat ahead. 1nspite
Of their efforts, however, they found the
lock gates closed against them and the par
sons boat out of sight. What was more
tantalizing, the lock had been emptied by
the time they got there, and was awaiting
boat which was coming up stream. An
abrupt turn in the river at short distance
already hid from view the boat just reliev-
ed from the lock.
"What a nuisance p exclaimed Mr.. Bit
tleston, mopping his forehead as he stood
on the banks of the lock, having taken in
at glance the position of affairs. "Boat
with three gentlemen just gone through,
Smithers ?'' he added to the lock-keeper.
0Yes, sir, but they are coming back.
They pulled their boat round by the back
water and went ashore, after asking me to
keep an eye on it till they returned, said
the man.
"Oh that is all right" said Mr.. Bittle-
ston in tone of satisfaction; 1--WE will get
back, inspector, to attend to business. Hi !
Bring up that portmanteau, Robert. Smith
ers, will you take charge of it and give it
to the Rev. Mr.. Avery, who is oneof those
three gentlemen, with my compliments ?"
~ think you mentioned my name, sir,
said voice from the lock, proceeding from
one of the occupants of boat which had
Just entered.
s'Not that l am aware Of" said Mr.. Bit
tleston, politely; 'the gentleman l referred
to was the Rev. Mark Avery"
II am the Rev. Mark Avery" said the
stranger promptly.
'The gentleman that mean is the curate
of St. Blaise's church, in St. George's-in-
the-E East" said Mr.. Bittleston, feeling con-
fused
"Then there is no doubt whatever that
you mean me ?" returned the stranger,
with a laugh in which his companions
joined.
Mr.. Bittleston started, and stared at the
young man, who bore his gaze unfinching
". This Mark Avery was tall, powerful,
black -whiskered young fellow, totally diff
ferent in appearance from the slim, modest,
retiring youth who claimed the same ap-
pellation. 1t crossed Mr.. Bittleston's mind
that the party in the lock were having
joke at his expense, and he was about to
resent the impertinence in very forcible
language, when the inspector, who had
been standing by touched him on the arm.
"That is Mr. Avery, sure enough" said
the officer; "Tve seen him before. That
being So | think we had better see what is
inside the portmanteau. It's precious
heavy" he added, seizing hold of it with
sudden interest.
Mr.. Bittleston was too much nonplussed
to interfere, besides which he began to en-
tertain disquieting suspicious The inspec-
tor proceeded with great dexterity to un-
fasten the straps of the portmanteau, and
in the twinkling of an eye had mastered the
lock with large stone Upon his opening
the lid, an excited exclamation burst from
the bystanders, for the contents of the port
manteau proved to be the whole of the ar
ticles of silver and jewelry which had been
stolen from Mr.. Bittleston's safe.
changed if l didn't think this was it,
calculated the inspector; "you put me off
the scent by leading me to believe that the
parson who dined with you was an old
friend. You never told me you had enter
tanned stranger who had left his baggage,
or | should not have wasted the last day
or two" ---
II had no idea that-that the young man
was swindler," murmured Mr.. Bittleston,
apologetically.
~ can see the game as clear as daylight" "
said the inspector; "having reconnoitred the
premises-he and his pals do the job neatly
in the night He knows the difficulty of
getting away with the swag, and thinks he
may be stopped and searched by the police,
in consequence of having been to the house
the day before the robbery. So he left
the things with you, and meanwhile he has
made every arrangement to dispose of 'em."
Chow fortunate How miraculous" /"
exclaimed the old gentleman, beginning to
realize his good fortune; "but how was it
he didn't claim the portmanteau, after
all ?n
.s'I rather fancy he caught sight of me on
your lawn, and steered off, said the in
spector, in high humor; "this is about the
meaning of it, and what's more, can make
very good guess at who it is. I shall not
wait here for him, because he won't come
back, but think in the course of day or
two shall lay my hands on him and his
pals, too. And he did.