The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-02-22
SELECT STORY.
CHASED ACROSS TIE OCEAN.
BY AN ENGLISH DETECTIVE.

"Ah Burleigh, here's a job for you
-one that's got game in it, and long
chase, perhaps"
1t was the Chief of the Scotland
yard Detective force who spoke, as he
stepped into the private office. A lot
of "hale fellows well met and l an
American, among the number, were
engaged in the innocent pastime of q
game of whist | threw down my
cards. The Chief handed me a telegram
which read as follows:
READING.-Charles Burton, the in
fant heir of Beenham Lodge, was stoler
from the Lodge last night, it is sus
pected by the nurse, in whose charge
he was placed. She has disappeared She
is tall blonde hair, blue eyes grace
ful and easy manners, and wears q
plain, dark costume. Large reward
for her capture, and the recovery of the
| child. EDWARD PoRDAGE.
"Where is Beenham Lodge ?" in
quired, as soon as glanced at the dis
patch.
"Near Reading"
"The nurse will come to London with
the child"
''That is not 80 certain. This is doubt
less a scheme to remove the heir to the
BeeDham estate by some person or per
sons who are itching to obtain pos
session after Sir Edward Pordage's
DEATH"
"Then you think they will not rur
the hazard of bringing the child here p
"Certainly not 7"
With flash my mind was made up
l started out of the office, and in few
minutes was in train that was bear
ing me at a rapid rate toward Read
ing.
Upon my arrival secured a privat,
conveyance, and, after drive of few
miles, was landed at the entrance tc
the lodge. l was met by a gentleman
who received me with much warmth
and withal agitation when l informed
him that l had been placed on tht
case.
"The object of my hasty visit is tC
CLEAN some of the facts in the case
and follow up any intelligent clue, il
there be any. Was this your chile
that was stolen, Sir Edward ?"
"Bless you, no l am bachelor
never was married. Charles Burton
was the child of my sister, l am his uncle
and by will have made him the linea
heir to the Beenham estates"
"Have you any other relatives, Si
Edward q
eyes another sister, a spinster
Miss Applebee Lowage, lives with me
and has been my housekeeper for man,
years. She has also managed much O.
my business affairs of late, as l fee
the weight of years increasing upor
me-"
"Who was the nurse, and what wa
her name d?
''My spinster sisters waiting maid
Her name is Percy-Miss Jane Percy
A more domestic, winning and ODE
dient servant we have never had in ou
employ. Charles Burtons mother die,
soon after Charles was born, and W,
took the helpless little infant to ou
home and nursed it with the tenderes
care. Miss Percy took such an inter
est in the child that she was given tn
sole charge, and seemed to love it will
a mothers love. Oh, / trust no harm
has befallen it, wherever it has bee
taken I"
"What is its age 7''
"About year"
"What motive, think you, was ther
for the abduction of the child 2"
"None that / can see, unless the ex
pectation of securing large rewar'
for its return"
'Then you do not suspect that plo
has been formed among some branc
of your relatives for the removal of tn
child ,"
Sir Edward stopped for moment
as if flash of new light had entere'
his mind but he stamped his ponder
GUS cane on the floor and indignant,
replied
"My relatives steal that poor, help
less babe No, perish the very though
of it. Not one could so dishonor tn
name of an Applebee or Pordage."
AS l arose to depart an elderly lad
of the genuine spinster type walked
gravely into the room and glanced fur
lively at me as she advanced.
"This is Mr.-Mr.-"
"Burleigh," interjected, to help tn
old mans memory.
Giles detective sent down from
London to discover our poor lost child
and he wants to get all the information
that he can. Sister, give him all yo
can. You know what Miss Percy wor
and what clothing the child had on.
81 presume, Sir Edward, you can d
that she replied, rather tartly, an
seeming to shrink from having any
thing to communicate.
| Without wishing to force the matter
and making an apology for haste,
took my departure, and was 500
back in London. / went at once to IN
room, and picking up a good-size
gripsack, threw in some of my clotl
ing, with the expectation that / migt
be required to make long journe,
Going out into the street, / ordered
cab and was driven to the Inman Lin
of steamers, where l ascertained tina
the City of Richmond was expecte
to leave Liverpool early the next NOR
ing.
"You have your passenger list, / pr
sumo :" / inquired of the clerk.
"Certainly."
"Will you please allow me to look
it 7"
"With pleasure"
l glanced along the list of name
but could not see the one for which
was searching. | handed the pap
back and was turning away, when
occurred to me that it would do !
harm to question the official little fu
ther
"Do you sell the London passa!
tickets T.
"Yes, sir'-somewhat sharply.
"Do you recollect selling ticket
a tall lady with blue eyes, blonde hal
aud attired in dark costume 7"
"Very distinctly. | was attract,
by her beauty. She's lovely W