Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-03-14
,han't need, now that the weather has GET

" " C Shalt be dellgnted 70 see you, salG
Mr.. Bittleston; "an1 If YOU leave the
portmanteau at the house, tomorrow morn
ing, it shall be taken care Of"
The Rev. Mark then took his departure
Next morning the party had left when the
family came down TO breakfast, but the
parson had intrusted the portmanteau tc
one of the servants. The following day he
wrote few lines 70 Mr.. Bittleston from
Reading, sending piece Of music which
he had recommended one of the young
ladies to get, and begging that she would
accept it, as he happened to come across il
in music shop in the town. The little
act Of politeness excited less attention than
it might otherwise have done, because the
latter arrived while everyone was IN a
great state of excitement. The discovery
had Just been made that a large quantity
of jewelry, plate, and other articles had
been distracted from a safe in Mr.. Bittle-
stons dressing-room. The loss wa. 20 con-
siderable that MIR. Bittleston Immediately
telegraphed to Seotland-yard, not caring to
intrust the matter to the local police In
response 4 detective appeared upon the
scene, and made careful inspection of the
premises. The safe was uninjured, and the
lock had not been tempered with.
at was very cleveriy done, but there
was no magic in it." said the inspector, a
sharp-eyed little man named Hardiss
"the lock is very ordinary one, and has
evidently been opened with key"
But who could have done it? am ahou!
the house and grounds all day, and no
body could have got in and out without
being ob-erved," said Mr. Bittleston, in q
great huster.
Its Case of burglary" answered the
Inspector; there are no signs of forci-
bic entrance having been effected, but
some of the windows on the ground floor
have no shutters and may have been M
Locked
Then you don't suspect any Of the SER
vants?" said Mr.. Bittleston; Indeed I
can answer for them ALL
Well" said the inspector, Struggling
his shoulders, " can't express an opinion
at present Have you had any stranger in
the house lately ?"
No" said Mr.. Bittleston, adding, as
he remembered the Rev Mark Avery,
" by-the-by, a clergyman dined here a
night or two ago-a eurate Of London
parish. lie was the only visitor the last
few days"
The Inspector asked no questions about
the parson, but Mr.. Bittleston resolved to
make a Journey by the Eastend, and ascer-
tain beyond u doubt that the Rev. Mark
was the person he represented himself to
be. He had 10 difficulty about this, and
had the satisfaction of feeling, upon his
return, that he had not committed an in
1t so happened that when he
called at the Rev. Mark Avery address he
met his friends vicar coming out Of the
door. hr. Bitt!eston easily aScertained
that the young curate had gone on boat
ing expedition to Oxford with two COM
panions, and this evidence appeared quite
conclusive. He made clumsy excuse to
the vicar to account for his sclicitude and
made his way home, feeling ashamed Of
himself.
The following evening Inspector Hardiss
@ led 70 report progress, and TO ask few
further questions. Mr.. Bittleston was out
in the garden, and the officer joined him
on the lawn.
ITS puzzle, and that's q fact" said
i1ardiss, when his inquiries had been salts
fed. i've come to the conclusion it has
been done by some one in the house. No
stranger has been in the neighborhood,
and its downright impossible that any one
could have got away with the sw9g with
out being noticed in little place like
this"
"Where are the things, then ?o inquired
Mr. Bittleson, testify.
mot very far of, l can't help thinking"
answered the inspector; with your per
mission l will search the premises thor
oughly, including the garnet and cellars"
While the inspector was speaking, Mr.
youngest daughter, girl of IA,
came running across the lawn. Papa"
she cried, isn't that mr.. Avery7 He is
owing stroke in that boat, and he has evil
lently forgotten the house, but his port
nanteau is here"
I" By Joyel l believe it il Avery and his
friends cried Mr.. Bittleston, rs the boat
swept quickly past the lawn in midstream
at the best pace the oarsmcn could com-
mand. "Hi, you'll Confound him why
can't he look round2 Boat ah0yl'
But, though Mr. Bittleston had good
lungs, and though broad sheet of water
s an excellent conductor Of sound, his
voice failed to arrest the attention OF the
occupants Of the boat, who were straining
Every nerve to reach the next lock- While
Mr.. Bittleston was still shouting, they be-
gan to disappear from view round the top
each, without once turning their heads.
"Silly fellow" exclaimed Mr. Bittleston
n state of excitement, as he hastily de-
'cended from the garden seat on which he
lad been standing; he must be deaf and
blind, too! Here, Ada quickI Tell
Robert to run to my room and bring Mr..
Ayery's portmanteau. Lend me hand,
If we look sharp, we shall be
bile to catch him 1T the lock-"
He led the way 10 the boathouse as he
poke, followed by the inspector. But by
he time the boat was ready, and the foot
nan had appeared with the portmanteau,
everal minutes had elapsed
Here, Robert, put the portmanteau in
he bow and jump in said Mr.. Bittleston,
mpatiently. " | want you to row me to
he lock as quick as you can"
Let me lend hand" said Inspector
tardiss, divesting himself of bis coat in
cry business-like manner.
The party started down stream in pur-
ait, Nr. Bittleston steering, and frequent
J bobbing up and down in his excitement,
o try and catch sight of the boat ahead.
l. spite of their efforts, however, they
ound the lock-gates closed against them.
nd the parsons boat out of sight. What
'as more tantalizing, the lock had been
implied by the time they got there and
vas waiting a boat which was coming up
tream, An abrupt turn in the river at
hort distance already hid from view the
oat Just relieved from the lock.
"What nuisancel" exclaimed Mr..
}ittleston, hopping his forehead as he
TODD on the bank Of the lock, having taken
n at glance the position Of affairs.
Boat with three gentlemen Just gone
Trough, Smithers?" he added, to the lock
eeper.
Yes, sir: but they are coming back. |
hey pulled their beat round by the back
later and went ashore, after asking me to
cep an eye on it till they returned, said
be man.
ooh, that's all right" said Mr.. BittIes-
a