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

"Aha Burleigh, here's job for you
lone 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 knot of "hale
fellows well met" and l. an American,
among the number; were engaged in a
game of whist l 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 it 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
for her capture, and the recovery of the
child. EDWARD PoRDAGE.
"Where is Beenham lodgew 1 in
quired, as soon had glanced at the dis
patch.
%'Ncar Reading"
"The nurse will come to London with
the child.n
''That is not so certain. This is doubt
less n scheme to remove the heir to the
Beenham estate by some person orpersons
who are itching to obtain possession
after Sir Edward Pordage's death"
''Then you think they will not run the
hazard of bringing the child here"
Certainly not"
With flash my mind was made up.
started out of the office, and in few
minutes was in train that was bearing
me at rapid rate toward Reading.
Upon my arrival l secured private
conveyance, and, after drive of few
miles, was landed at the entrance to the
lodge. l was met by a gentleman, who
received me with much warmth and
withal agitation when l informed him
that had been placed on the case.
''1'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
be any. Was this your child that was
stolen, Sir Edward2"
"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.
''Have you any other relatives, Sir
EdwardW
eyes; another sister, spinster, Miss
Applebee Lowage, lives with me, and
She has also managed much of my bust
ness affairs Of late, as l feel the weight
of years increasing upon me-"
''Who was the nurse, and what was
her name2"
"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 afte
Charles was born, and we took the help
less little infant to our home and nurseC
it with the tenderest care. Miss Perc,
took such an interest in the child tina
she was given the sole charge, and seemed
to love it with a mothers love. Oh,
trust no harm has befallen it, wherever
has been takenp'
"What is its age9n
"About year"
sfWhat motive, think you, was ther
for the abduction of the child"
"None that can see, unless the eS
pectation of securing large reward 10
It's return"
''Then you do not suspect that pie
has been formed among some branch {
your relatives for the removal of tn
child2'
Sir Edward stopped for a moment, {
if flash of new light had entered h
mind but he stamped his ponderol
cane on the floor and Indignantly r,
Piled
'My relatives steal that poor, helple
babe No, perish the very thought of j
Not one could so dishonor the name {
Applebee or Pordage."
As arose to depart, an elderly lady
the genuine spinster type walked grave
into the room and glanced furtively
me as she advanced.
"This is MIMI
'Burleigh," interjected, to help Il
old mans memory.
Hes detective sent down fro
London to discover our poor lost chill
and he wants to get all the informati'
he can. Sister, give him all you ca
You know what Miss Percy wore al
what clothing the child had on. "
g. presume, Sir Edward, you can
that, she replied rather fartlt q