Sharp County record., 1885-07-09

lust mounted my horse and taken up
position in one of the two boxes facing
Parliament street, when a gentleman
stopped opposite me and scanned me
curiously. Addressing me, he said:
'Don't you remember me?n
There was no mistaking the voice; it
was that of the owner of the bag!
Otherwise, he was greatly altered, as he
had denuded himself of the luxuriant
whiskers and mustache which he wore
when | saw him previously.
What has been wrong?" l asked.
"Oh, / was seized with a fit that
morning when | came out of the water,
and was taken home in an unconscious
state. | have been very unwell ever
since, and have left my house for the
first time to-day. made inquiries at the
barracks about you and as the soldier
spoke to seemed to know about the
bag l left with you, he directed me
here"
"Well, sir" l said, chad quite made
up my mind that you were the gentle
man who was drowned that morning;
and when | discovered my mistake, 1
am almost ashamed to own that | took
YOU for the man who was apprehended
on the charge of trying to plumber the
drowned mans clothes "
The gentleman smiled pleasantly and
said: "Ah! | read about that, And now
to business. wish to get my bag at
once. l presumoyou have it in safe
keeping at the barracks?"
"It's much nearer at hand, | replied
-"iust across the street from here"
and then l told him that it was in the
custody of the police authorities at
Scotland Yard
This information apparently discon-
certed him.
'It is very awkward indeed" he said.
81 have To catch the six train for Liver
pool, as | wish to sail by the steamer
that leaves tomorrow morning for New
York. Couldn't you come across with
me to get it?"
You forget that | am on sentry" l
replied. Il won't be relieved until
four; and even then l daren't leave the
guard; nor would care to ask permis-
sion to do so. You should 90 at once
to the Captain of the guard and repre-
sent the case to him; and perhaps, un-
der the circumstances, he will permit
me to accompany you"
Acting on my advice, he proceeded at
once to the officer in command, leaving
me extremely amused at the fuss he
was making about his bag, considering
all that it was worth.
Soon afterwards he returned with q
smiling face, and informed me that the
Captain had acceded to his request. |
expressed my qualification at this intelli-
gence, and added: Surely, sir, you
have been shaving since | last saw
you?"
Yes; was threatened with the re-
currence of a nasty skin complaint to
which / was formerly subject "
During the interval that elapsed
until my period of duty was ended
the gentleman paced about in a
most impatient manner, ever and
anon seeming to relaTe his feelings by
stopping to pat my horse. AT lsngth l
left my post, and, dismounting, led my
charger to the stable and banded it over
to a comrade; then, divesting myself of
my cuirass, was ready to proceed to
Scotland Yard. One of the corporals
on guard received orders toaccompany
ME; so, together with the gentleman,
we started, and crossing the street
reached the police headquarters in a
minute or two, and on making inquiries
were directed to the Lost Property"
department. We stated our business;
and an official, after receiving an as
surance from me that the applicant was
the right person, speedily produced the
valise "Why didn't you see about this
before?" he asked, addressing the gen
tleman.
because | was too i'll to see about
anything was the reply.
The gentleman then signed a book,
certifying that his property had been
restored to him, giving as he did so the
name of Nobbs.
Having thanked the official, Mr..
Nobbs caught up his property. and we
left the office. When we got to the
door we found assembled a small crowd
of men employed about the establish
ment; for the unusual spectacle of two
helmeted, jack-booted guardsmen had
caused good deal of speculation as to
our business there. Mr.. Nobbs hurried
ly brushed past them, and gaining the
street hailed a passing cab, and the
driver at once pulled up. Here is
something for your trouble" he said
slipping a sovereign into my hand. |,
of course, thanked him heartily for this
munifcent douceur. Declining the Of
fer of the driver to place his bag on the
dicky, he put it inside the vehicles then
shaking hands with the corporal and
myself, he said to the driver: ''Euston,