Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-02

netHehs II ano nau passed tnat nitofnOOn
In her state carriage, so distracted was
/ BY the cngrossing subject Of this
valise
After stables, left barracks for my
customary walk, and purchasing a copy
OF the Echo from n Juvenile news
vender, read the particulars Of the
fetality Of the morning. Friends had
identified the body, which was that OF n
gentleman named Nixon, wAc had re-
sided at Bayswater.
''Nixonl That corresponds with the
initial IN on the bag" | thought to
myself, now perfectly convinced that
the deceased was the person ! had seen
in the morning. also ascortained
from the newspaper report that a man
had been apprehended on suspicion Of
having attempted to rifle the pockets Of
the clothes OF the drowned man, and
who had been roughly handled by the
crowd, before a policeman could DO
procured to take him into custody.
After moments reflection / decided to
call at the address given in the paper,
In order TO arrange about the restora-
ton Of the bag TO the relatives of the
deceased.
Reaching the house l knocked softly
At the door, and stated my business to
che domestic who appeared, by whom
was shown into room. and imme-
diately afterward was waited upon by a
young lady. the daughter Of the de-
ceased, who, naturally enough, was
perfectly overcome with grief. l ex-
planned 10 kcT "a q few words the OBJ
ject Of my visit
ii am uncertain whether poor papa
had valise Of that description whom he
left this morning." she, said; "but pos.
sibly you may recognize him from the
photograph, submitting one shs took
from the table for my inspection.
l experienced Strange sense of re-
lief-thc features in the photo were
those of a person bearing no resem-
hance whatever 10 the individual who
had left his bag in my charge.
The young lady thanked mo heartily
for the trouble | had taken in the mat
ter; and left the house of mourning
and returned TO the barracks In very
mystitied state of mind.
Could the owner of the bag be the
thief who was caught IN the act of
plundering the dead mans clothosp"
asked myself. but Immediately dis
missed the idea from my mind, as being
absurd aud improbable.
Next day | attended the orderly
room. and received p severe admonitiOn
from the commanding officer. fortu.
nately for me. as it happened. Sir Car
naby had been in plain clothes, so my
odense in the eve of martial law was Of
a comparatively venial character. I'm
mediately afterwards 1 considered il my
duty to report the circumstances at.
tending the valise to the adjutant, who
IN turn communicated with the police
authorities at Scotland Yard; and that
evening, pursuant TO instructions re-
ceived, had tie BAG convsyed to that
establishment After had explained
how It was place in my charge, 1t was
opened in my presence by an oific al,
and was found 10 contain Just a suit OF
old clothes and few newspapers, but
no documents Of any kind. As stated by
its owner.
After this the lag ceased to interest
rue, as the valucless character of its
contents caused me to speculate less on
the unaccountab,e conduct of its pos
SCISSOR in never returning for ii. may
mention that l read an account
in the evening paper regarding
the alleged thief who had been
apprehC nded on the Serpentine Bank
under the circumstances before alluded
to. by the name Of Judd he had been
taken before a magistrate and reman. led
for week. in order that inquiries IN ght
be made concerning him.
Some time afterwards | was on
Queens guarl, Westminster. | had
just mounted my horse and taken up
position in one of the two boxes facing
Parliament street, when gentleman
stopped opposite me and scanned me
ouriously. Addressing me, he said:
"Don't you remember me?n
There was no mistaking the voice; II
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 prcvicusly.
''What has been wrong?n / asked.
''Oh, ] was seized with a fit that
morning when came out of the water.
and was taken home in an unconscious
state. l have been very unwell ever
since. and have left my house for the
first time to-day. l made Inquiries at the
barracks about you; and as the sol lier
/ spoke 10 seemed to know about the
bag l left with you, he directed me
here
"Well, sir, ;" / said, II had quite made
up my mind that you were the gentle
man who was drowned that morning;
and when / discovered my mistake,
am almost ashamed 10 own that took
you for the man who was apprehended
on the charge of trying to plunder the
drowned mans clothes"
The gentleman smiled pleasantly and
said: "Ahl read about that. And now
TO business. wish 10 get my bag at
once. presume you have it in safe
keeping at the barracksP"
"It's much nearer at hand, replied
Just across the street. from here:"
and then | told him that II was in Che
custody of the police authorities at
Scotland Yard
This information apparently discon-
certed him.
- IL is very awkward indeed. he said.
81 have 10 catch the six train for Liver
pool, as wish 10 sail by the steamer
that leaves tomorrow morning for New
York. COuldn'ty you come across with
me TO get it?"
You forget that / am on sentry"
replied. II won't be relieved until
Tour; and even then | daren't leave the
guard; nor wsuld care 10 ask permls-
sion TO do so. You should 20 at once
10 the Captain Of the guard and repre-
sent the case to him; and perhaps. un-
Ter the circumstances. he will permit
ne 10 accompany you"
Acting on my advice, he proceeded at
Dnce to the officer IN command, leaving
ne extremely amused at the fuss he
vas making about his bag. considering
MI that II was worth.
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