The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-17

| into quartern loaveS, did all manner OF
card tricks, knife tricks, pistol tricks and
juggled on conscientiously right through
his repertoire. There was never smile
on Sir Lewis face; he sneered unmistaka-
bly,. Finally, with an ostentation that sa-
vored with rudeness, he took out his watch
a great gold repeater, and unmistakably
yawned
Jack hungered for that watch directly
he saw it. Perhaps through it he might
make its owner uncomfortable, if only for
moment. But how to getit into his hands
He asked for watch-a dozen were offered
No; none of those would do. 1t must be
gold watch, repeater. Sir Lewis Nal
laby's was the only one in the room and he
at first distinctly refused to lend it. But
so many earnest entreaties were addressed
to him, the hostess leading the attack, that
he could not in common courtesy continue
to refuse With something like growl
he took his watch off the chain and handed
it to Jack Newbiggin. A curious old
fashioned watch it was, which would have
gladdened the heart of collector, all jew
eled and enameled, adorned with crest and
inscription, an heiriUUm which had proba-
bly, been in the Mallably family for years
Jack looked it over curiously, meditatively;
then suddenly raising his eyes he stared
intently into Sir Lewis Mallaby's face and
almost as quickly dropped them again.
"This is far too valuable" he said, cOur-
teously; "too much treasure to be risked
in any conjuring trick; an ordinary modern
watch might replace, but not work of
art like this"
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis, who
received it with ill-concealed satisfaction.
He was as much pleased, probably, at Jack S
expression of possible failure in the pro-
posed track as at the recovery of his prop
erty. Another watch, however, was pound
ed up into jelly, and brought out whole
from a cabinet in an adjoining room and,
this trick successfully accomplished, Jack
Newbiggin, who was now completed on his
mettle, passed on to higher flights. He
had spent the vacation of the year previous
in France as the pupil of a wizard of Eu-
ropean fame and mastered many of the
strange feats which are usually attributed
to clairvoyance. There is something es-
pecially uncanny about these tricks and
Jack reputation rapidly increased with
this new exhibition of his powers. Thanks
to his cross-examination of Mrs. Sitwell at
dinner he was in possession of many facts
connected with the company, although
mostly strangers to him; and some of the
hits were so palpably happy that he raised
shouts of surprise, followed by that terri
fed blush which not uncommOnly succeeds
the display of seemingly supernatural pow
ers.
"Oh, but this is too prepOstcrous, Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard to say quite
angrily. The continued applause pro-
foundedly disgusted him. "This is the
merest charlatanism. 1t must be put an
end to. 1t is the commonest imposture.
These are things which he has coached
upon in advance. Let him be tried with
something which upon the face of it he
cannot have learned beforehand by artif-
cial means"
''Try him, Sir Lewis, try him yourself y
cried several voices.
II scarcely like to lend myself to such
folly to encourage so pitiable an exhibit
ton"
But he seemed to be conscious that fur
ther protest would tell in Jacks favor.
II will admit that you have considera-
Bile power in this strange branch of necro-
nancy if you will answer a few questions
of mine"
proceed" said Jack, gravely meeting
his eyes firmly and without finching.
''Tell me what is most upon my mind at
this present moment?'
'The want of male heir" Jack replied
promptly, and thanked Mrs. Sitwell in his
heart.
"Psha! You have learnt from Burke
that have no children" said Sir Lewis,
boldly, but he was little taken aback.
"Anything else p
''The memory of a harsh deed you now
strive to redeem.
''This borders upon impertinence," said
Sir Lewis, with hot flush on his cheek
and passion in his eyes, "But let us leave
distractions and try tangible realities. Can
you tell me what | have in this pocket p
He touched the left breast of his tail-coat.
"a pocketbook.
"Bah! Ca "a sans dire. Everybody
carries pocketbook in his pocket"
"But do you ?" asked several of the by
ISLANDERS, all of whom were growing deeply
interested in this strange duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he
did, and produced it-an ordinary morocco
leather purse and pocketbook all in one.
care you prepared to go on ?" said the
baronet haughtily to Jack.
"Certainly."
"What does this pocketbook contain ?"
evidence"
The contest between them was a ont
rance.
evidence of what p
s'Gf facts that must sooner or later come
to light. You have in that pocketbool
links in a long cnsin of circumstances
which, however carefully concealed or anx
iously dreaded, time in its ineSorahle cours'
must bring eventually to light. There il
no bond, says the Spanish proverb, which
is not some day fulfilled; no debt that il
the long run is not paid.
"What ridiculous nonsense | give yor
nv word this poekothook contains nothing
-abgolutely nothing bank of Eng
land note for one hundred pounds"
"Stay!" cried Jack Newbiggin, facing
him abruptly and speaking in voice o.
thunder. at is not so-you know tit
is only the half
And as he spoke he took the crumpled
paper from the hands of the really stupe-
fed baronet. 1t was exhibited for inspec-
tion-the half of bank of England note
for 9100.
There was much applause at this harm
less and successful denOuement of what
threatened at one stage to lead to alterca-
ton, perhaps to quarrel. But Jack
Newbiggin was not satisfied.
GAS you have dared me to do my worst, y
said Jack, 'tlisten now to what / have to
say. Not only did ! know that there was
only the half Of note, but know where
the other half is to be found.'
$50 much the better for me-" said the
baronet, with an effort to appear humorous
"That other half was given to-shalI !