Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-02-01
AN OCEAN CHASE.
BY A DETECTIVE.

"Ahal Burleigh, here's 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 knot of "hale
fellows well met" and I, an American,
among the number, were engaged in a
game of whist. | threw down my cards.
The chief handed me telegram, which
read as follows:
READING. - Charles Burton, the infant
heir OF Beenham lodge, was sto'el 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, and
wears plain, dark costume. Large reward
for her capture, and the recovery of the
child EDWARD PoRDAGE.
"Where is Beenham lodgel" l in
quired, as soon l had glanced at the dis
patch.
"Near Reading"
''The nurse will come to London with
the child"
''That is not so certain. This is doubt
less scheme to remove the heir to the
Beenham estate by some person or persons
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 here7"
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 | secured a private
conveyance, and, after q drive of few
miles, was landed at the entrance to the
lodge. Twas met by gentleman, who
received me with much warmth and
withal agitation when l informed him
that had been placed on the case.
"The object of my hasty visit is tc
CLEAN some of the facts in the case, and
to follow up any intelligent clew, if there
be any. Was this your child that wa:
stolen, Sir Edward2"
'Bless you, mol l am bachelor
never was married. Charles Burton was
the child of my sister. I am his uncle
and by will have made him the linea
male heir to the Beenham estates"
"Have you any other relatives, Sil
Edward2"
"Yes; another sister, spinster, Mis-
Applebee Lowage, lives with me, ant
has been my housekeeper for many years
She has also managed much of my bust
ness affairs of late, as l feel the weigh
of years increasing upon me-"
"Who was the nurse, and what wa
her name2"
'My spinster sisters waiting maid
Her name is Percy-Miss Jane Percy. 4
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 SCENE,
to love it with a mothers love. Oh,
trust no harm has befallen it, wherever
has been takenl'
"What is its age2"
"About year."
"What motive, think you, was ther
for the abduction of the child?"
''None that can see, unless the e1
pectation of securing large reward fo
its return"
"Then you do not suspect that a pic
has been formed among some branch c
your relatives for the removal of th
childF'
Sir Edward stopped for moment, 6
If flash of new light had entered h
mind; but he stamped his ponderou
cane on the floor and Indignantly rt
Piled
'My relatives steal that poor, helple,
babe! No, perish the very thought of il
Not one could so dishonor the name G
Applebee or Pordage."
As arose to depart, an elderly lady {
the genuine spinster type walked gravel
into the room and glanced furtively
me as she advanced.
d" This is MIMI
'Burleigh," l interjected, to help I'll
J old mans memory.
=" He's detective sent down frol
London to discover our poor lost chilt
and he wants to get all the informatio
he can. Sister, give him all you Cal
You know what Miss Percy wore an
what clothing the child had on"
e 81 presume, Sir Edward, you can
e that" she replied, rather tartly, an
: seeming to shrink from having anythir
to communicate.
Without wishing to force the matte
and making an apology for haste, toe
my departure, and | was soon back
London. l went at once to my roor
and picking up good-sized gripsacl
;, threw in some of my clothing, with Il
expectation that | might be required
make long journey. Going out in
the street, / ordered cab and was drive
!, to the Inman line of steamers, where
i ascertained the City of Richmond W
expected to leave Liverpool early Il
next morning.
you have your passenger list, ! pr
of A. -I..l-