Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

Kate added, Walters-Mr. Romney-
Romney's man.
"Ah, | forgot him. said Bartlett to
himself. THAT makes two to rec
kon with. And as likely as not they
have murdered the two women, and
are now rifing tho house at their leis-
ure, while we are hung mp on board
this COMPOUNDED steamer"
There was just one chance of being
even with Mr.. Romney-Romney yet.
While he was looking regretfully at
the English coast, now rapidly drop
ping down astern, Bartlett bethought
him that the morning steamer from
Boalogne was due to start somewhere
about the time that the boat from
Folkestone came In. He at once made
his way to the captain of the Louise
Dagmar, and Intercepted that officer
as to the chance of catching the boat
back. If they were up to time at
Boulogne, the captain said, there
would be ten minutes before the other
steamer started. Unluckily, however,
they had been five minutes late in
getting of, and had lost another three
minutes through a smack passing
across their bows coming out of har-
Dor. On the other hand, they had
one of the fastest boats on the ser
vice, and a good tide under her. With
luck the captain told Bartlett he might
do it.
After that, there was nothing to be
done but to return to the ladies and
begulle the next hour with small talk.
1t was as anxious an hour as Bartlett
had ever passed, and he found him
self continually rslapsing into vacant
silence as he mentally timed the stroke
OF the engines or measured the seem
ingly endless distance between the
ship and the French coast. When at
last the Boulogne harbor came in
sight, be was fain to bolt away from
his friends and take up a
position IN the bows. From that point
of vantage he described to his belief
the smoke OF a steamer within the
harbor. Z moment later he learned
from one of the crew that the Louise
Dagmar, after one Of the best pas
sages on record, was in nearly five
minutes before her time. Bartlett
never. knew how he got on board the
other steamer, still less what excuses
he made to his party for this second
desertion. All he clearly remembered
was his arrival, perspiring and breath
less, on board the Folkestone boat
about half a minute before she cast
off.
It was barely 1 o'clock when he
found himself jumping on shore again
in Folkst0ne harbor. In the mean
time, he had planned his next opera
tons very carefully. The first step
was to drive to the police station and
obtain the assistance of an inspector
aAd constable IN plain clothes. The
three alighted just before they came
ia sight of the Virginia house. After
sending the constable round to watch
the house from the back, Rartlett and
the inspector advanced to- the front
door. Contrary to custom, it was
his pocket and they effected an en-
trance without difficulty or noise.
They at once became aware of a large
pile of luggage in the hall, portman-
teaus, trunks, and packing cases being
heaped up indiscriminately, so, on
seeing this, the inspector changed his
plan of operations. Upon sign from
him they retired cautiously, closing
the door again noiselessly behind
them, and took up their position in a
narrow side street Immediately adjoin-
ing. They were none too soon.
Scarcely were they cut of sight when
Walters drove up in large roomy
fly. He led the way into the house,
and was soon busily engaged, with
the help of the lyman, in removing
what Barrlett's companion spoke of as
''the swag." As the boxes and port
manteaus mounted up Bartlett became
impatient, but still the Inspector bided
his time. At last Mr.. Romuey Rom
ney appeared OF the steps arrayed in
a suit of fashionable cut and carrying
rather pretty travelling bag, which
Bartlett recognized as his own. Then,
at a given signal, the two policemen
darted forward, and just as he was
directing the coachman TO drive to
''Shorneliffe station-Dover side"
Mr.. Romney- Romney found himself,
with his confederate, in the grasp of
the law.
An hour or two later the cook and
housema1d came back in a state of
considerable agitation. They had been
escorted down TO Sandgate by the af
fable Mr.. Walters, who after setting
them down to a lunch at small ian,
had suddenly left them to speak to a
friend who was passing down the
street, and had forgotten to return.
They assisted Bartlett to Hnpack Mr..
Romney. Romney's luggage.
Miss Kate is no n Mrs. Bartlett, but
Miss Williams is still unmarried,
though from her attitude toward one
or two gentlemen boarders there is
reason to suppose that she is not con-
solable for the loss of Mr.. Romney-
Rsmney. Truth.
4 Business Transaction.
Texas SiftingS.