The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-06-12

start carry TOR town the next morning,
and endeAvor. by means OF bribery, TO
hush mp the case and obtain the un-
lucky girls release. This resolve COM
forted him little. and enabled him 10
snatch an hour or two Of troubled
slumber. In the morning he rot up
the moment he was called, aud in the
midst Of his shaving operations he re-
marked ~ carelcssly as possible:
my dear, / wish to catch the B:25
this morning am very busy At my
Office"
I'VE shall have plenty Of time." rc-
turned his vito.
"Did--did you say we. my dcara"
asked poor Mr. Doublechin. with .
"Yes. Joseph. am curious to hear
the end Of this extraordinary case"
said his wife with emphasis.
Mr.. Doublechin was 80 startled BY
this announcement that he inflicted .
severe cash upon his chin, which, 1t
lcAst, served to cover his confusion.
Ills wifs's intention Of accompanying
him TO court meant that she would dis
cover everything. It was useless to
struggle against fatc, for he guessed
instinctivcly that she would not suffer
him TO leave her side and get the chance
Of carrying out his little plans. So
utterly disheartened did he feel that II
was only sheer cowardice which pre-
vented him from making q clean breast
Of his iniquitios. Luckily for him,
however, no did not do 90; and II tho
truth were known IL ID probable that
his stolid OR Of gloomy resignation,
spair, passed muster for calm equani-
nifty.
Toward tho end OF the journey to
town, however, he began 10 manifest
visible symptoms Of extreme uneask
ness. The near approach Of the ordeal
which he dreaded was proving too
much for his nerves. When the train
reached London terminus he was seized
with frenzied desire to get his wife
out OF the way-for IN hour, at oil
events. Il was absolutely his last and
only chance Of avoiding the dire catas-
trophe which threatened him. and des-
pcration spurrcd his inventive spirit
with brilliant results. Turning to his
wife no said - calmly % he could sum-
mon up:
II think had better put you into .
cab. my dear. l must positively run
round to my Office first.
"Whcre am l to 70 TO. thenp" In
quired his wife. guardedly.
.To the Mansion house, aud ask foS
Inspector Potts. I will Join you In ,
few minutes"
The suggestion was 90 natural and
plausible that Mrs. Doublechin appar-
emily did not doubt his good faith. She
suffered him to lead her to a hanson
cab. aud took her sent inside It.
''Where to, sirP" inquired the cab
man.
ITO the Mansion house," said Mr..
Doublechin, loudly, so that his wife
could hear; "and," no added with In
tense carnestness, rs no lowered his
voice. "for heavens sake. go by way Of
lIamstcad and Hiehgatc!"
by way Of where?" gaspod the cab
man.
"lIerc," said Mr.. Doublechin, put
ting couple Of sovercigns into tho
mans hand. 1.-THE lady wants 10 60 to
the Mansion house; hut YOU mustn't ret
her there for a couple of hours. Do you
see?"
A wink, more eloquent thun words,
convinced MIR. Doublcchin that tho
cabman had grasped his meaning.
When his wife had disappeared from
view no sped like an arrow from the
bow in tho direction Of the Mansion
house. and never stopped till he had
gaspingly asked for Inspector Potts.
The rest Of the story Is soon told. II
turned out that there was M such per-
sou rs Inspector Potts. and Mr.. Double
chin then realized that he had been
hoaxci. At first he was furious with
rage aud indignation. but he c.lmed
down after AWHILE; aud when lis wife
At length made her appearance. looking
very pale and agi,a,od. in consequence
Ut the cab-horse having. ns shs limo
Gently believed. run away. and borne
her 10 \ distant part Of the mc,ronn'is.
he forgavc his enemy on the spot. Mss.
Donblechin suffered herself 10 be easily
convinced OF tho truth If her lord 5
representations. AMI returned home in
subdued aud apoloyc,ic frame of
mind. A for Mr.. Doublechin. he
wisely resolved To profit by tho lesson
he had received, and Ia make no more
presents to young lady acqaaintanccs;
but to this day he has been unable TO
ascertain which Of his stock-cNchange
colleagues pcrsona,cd tho sQi-siisd,,t
Inspector Potts. though he soon dis
covered 10 his cost that the joke was
generally known In ''the house. w.