The Portland daily press., 1884-03-04

Hardiss, when his inquiries nau Deen SatlS
fed; "pve come to the conclusion it has
been done by some one In the mouse; NO
stranger has been in the neighborhood, and
it's DOWN ght impossible that anyone could
have got away with the swag without being
noticed in little place like this"
"Where are the things then"' inquired
Mr.. Bittleston, testify.
"Not very far off, can't help thinking"
answered the inspector; with your permits
sion will search the premises thoroughly,
including the garrett and cellars"
While the inspector was speaking, Mr.,
Bittleston's youngest daughter, girl of
fourteen, came running across the lawn.
Papa" she cried, "isn't that Mr.. Avery?
He is rowing stroke in that boat, and he has
evidently forgotten the house, but his port
manteau is here"
"By Jovel 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 command.
eli, you'll Confound himi why can't he
look round? Boat ahoyv'
But though Mr.. Bittleston had good lungs,
and though broad sheet of still water is an
excellent conductor of sound, his voice
failed to arrest the attention of the occu-
pants of the boat, who were stralning every
nerve to reach the next lock. While Mr..
Btt.aston was still shouting they began to
disappear from view around the top reach,
without once turning their heads.
"Sily fellowP' exclaimed Mr.. Bittleston,
in state of great excitement, as he hastily
descended from the garden seat on which
he had been standing; she must be deaf and
blind tool Here, Ada! quick! Tell Rob
ert TO run to my room and bring Mr.. AVery's
portmanteau. Lend me a hand, Inspector,
If We look sharp we shall be able to catch
him at the lock"
He lea the way to the boathouse as he
spoke, followed by the inspector. But by
the time the boat was ready and the foot
man had appeared with the pOrtmanteau,
several minutes had elapsed. Here, Rob
ert, put the portmanteau in the bow and
jump in," said Mr.. Bittleston, impatiently;
Il want you to row me 10 the lock as quick
ly as you cam"
'Let me leud hand" said Inspector
Hardiss, divesting himself of his coat in
business like manner.
The party started down stream in pursuit,
Mr.. Bittleston steering, and frequently bob
bling up and down in his excitement to try
and catch sight of the boat ahead. In spite
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 when
they got there, and was waiting for boat
which was coming up stream. An abrupt
turn in the river a short distance already hid
from view the boat just received from the
lock.
'What nuisancep' exclaimed Mr.. Bittle-
ston, 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, Smith
ersp' he added to The loca-keeper.
Eyes, sir, but they are coming back.
They pulled their boat round by the bach
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.. Bittles-
ton, in tone of satisfaction; "we will get
back, Inspector, to attend to business. Hi!
Bring up thai portmanteau, Robert Smith
ers, will you take charge of it and give it to
the Rev. Marx Avery, who is one of those
three gentlemen, with my compliments"
81 think you mentioned my name, Sill"
said voice from the lock, proceeding from
one of the occupants of boat which had
just entered.
SHOT that am aware Of" said Mr.. Billie
ston, politely; 1.-THE gentleman referred to
was the Rev. Mark Avery"
81 am the Rev. Mark Avery" said the
stranger promptly.
Mr. Bittleston was too much nonpussed
to interfere, besides which he began 10 en-
terrain disquieting suspicious. The inspec
tor proceeded with great deXterity 10 un-
fasten the straps of the portmanteau, and in
the tWinkling of an eye had mastered the
lock. Upon his opening The lid, an excited
exclamation burst from the bystanders, for
the contents of the pDrtmantean proved to
be the whole of the articles of silver and
lie VERY which had been stolen from Mr..
Bittlestnn's safe.
Changed if / 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 a stranger who had left his baggage,
or should not have wasted the last day or
two.'
81 had no idea that-that the young man
was swindler," murmured Mr. Bittleston,
alphabetically.
81 can see the game as clear as daylight"
said the Inspector. "Having reconnoitered
the premises, he and his pals do the job
neatly in the night. He knows the difficulty
of getting away with the swag, aud thinks
he may be stopped and searched by the po
lice, in consequence of having been TO the
"The gentleman that l mean is the curate
of ST. Blaises church in ST. Georges in
the-East," said Mr.. Bittleston, feeling con-
fused.
''Then there is no doubt whatever that
laugh in which his companions joined.
Mr.. BiLtleston started and stared at the
young man, who bore his gaze unfinching
ly. This Mark Avery was tall, powerful,
black-whisketed young fellow, totally differ
ent in appearance from the slim, modest,
reiring youth who claimed the same appel
lation. 1t crossed Mr.. Bittleston's mind
that the party in the lock were having
joke at his expense, and he was about to re-
sent he impertinence in very forcible lam
guage, when the inspector, who had been
standing by. touched him on the arm.
"That is Mr.. Avery sure enough" said
the officer; "Pve seen him before. That
being so, think we had better see what is
inside the portmanteau. It's precious
heavy" he added, Selling hold of it with
sudden interest.
house the day before the robbery. So he
left the things with you, and meantime he
has made every arrangement to dispose of
'em.'
''How fortunate! How miraculousw ex-
claimed he old gentleman, beginning to re-
ahze his good fortune; but how was it he
didn't claim the portmanteau, after all?'
81 rather fancy he caught sight of me on
your lawn, and sheered off" said the in
spector in high good humor; "this is about
the meaning of it, and what's more / can
make a very good guess at who it is. shall
not walt here for him, because he won't
come back, but L think in the course of a
day or two shall lay my hands on him, and
his pals, too"
And he did.