The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-14

TO business. / wish to get my bag at
once. i presume you have it In safe
keeping at the barracks p
sits much nearer at hand" replied
,-ssjnst across the street from here;'
and then told him it was In the custod,
Of the police authorities at Scotland
Yard.
The Information apparently dlscon
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?'
sYou forget that / am on sentry" L
replied. Il won't he relieved until four.
,ead evensfhen I daren't leave tue guard 3
nor would l dare to ask permission to-
do so. You should 60 at once to the
captain of the guard and represent the
case to hin, and perhaps under the cir.
cumstances he will permit me to accom-
psny you"
Acting on nv advice he proceeded a,
once to the officer in command, leaving
me extremely amused at the fuss he was
making about bis bag. considering all
that it was worth.
Soon afterwards he returned with a
smiling face and informed me that the
captain had acceded to bis request. l
expressed my qualification at this iutelli.
gence and added: "Surely, sir, you have
been shaving since last saw your"
Eyes; l was threatened with the re-
currenoe Of nasty skin complaint to
which was formerly subject"
During the interval that elapsed until
my period Of duty was ended the gentle
man paced about in a most impatient
manner, ever and anon seeming to re-
lieve his feelings by stopping to pat nv
horse. AT length I left my post, and,
dismounting, led my charger to the sta
BILE and handed it over to comrade !;
then, divesting myself Of my cuirass,
was ready to proceed to Scotland Yard
One OF the corporals on guard received
orders to accompany me; so, together
with the gentleman, we started, and
crossing the street reached the police
headquarters in minute or two, and on
making inquiries were directed to the
Lost Property" department. We stated
our business; and an official, after re.
ceiving an assurance from me that the
applicant was the right person, speedily
produced the valise. "Why didn't you
see about this beforef" he asked, ad.
dressing the gentleman
"Because was too i'll to see about
ANYTHING" was the reply.
The gentleman then signed book,
certifying that his property had been re-
stored to him. giving as he did SO the
name of Nobbs.
Having thanked the Official, Mr.. Nob5s
caught up his property. and we left the
office. When we got to the door we
found assembled small crowd Of men
employed about the establishment; for
the unusual spectacle OF two helmeted,
ljack-booted guardsmen had caused q
good deal OF speculation as to our bu
siness there. Mr.. Nobbs hurriedly brush
ed past them, and gaining the street bail.
ed passing cab, and the driver at once
pulled up. "Here is something for your
trouble" he said, slipping sovereign
into my hand. I, of course, thanked
him heartily Tor this muni6cent douceur
Declining the offer Of the driver to place
his bag on the dicky, be put it inside the
vehicle; then shaking hands with the
corporal and myself. be said to the dri-
yer: "Euston, as fast as you cau," and
! entered the cab.
The driver releas,d the brake from
the wheel, and was whipping up bis
acraggy horse with view Of starting
when the poor animal slipped and fell
The man belonging to the Scotland Yard
| who had followed Us into the street al
once rushed to the drivers assistance
unbnckled the traces. and after pushing
hack the cab, got the horse on its feet
All the while Mr.. Nobhs was watching
the operations from the window; and
noticed that one of the men was survey.
| ing him very atten,ively.
"Your name is Judd, isn't it p the
man at length remarked
sNp; it isn't. What do you m can by
addressing me, sir ?" Indignantly replied
Mr.. Nobhs.
| "Weil," said the man-whom I al
once surmised was member OF the de
tective force-'that's the name you gave
anyhow, when you we're had up on the
charge of feeling the pockets of the
gents clothes who was drowned in the
Serpen,ine week ago. I know you
although you've had clean shave"
l started on hearing this statement
my snspicions, ridiculous as they seem.
ed at the time, had turned ou. to be cor
rect after all; while Mr.. Judd, alias
Nobbs, turned as pale as death.
"Come out of that cab," said the de-
ltective
you've no right to detain me-" said
Nobbs, Il was discharged this morning.
"Because nothing was known against
You But look here, old man, what have
you got in that bag
"Only some OLD clothes, I assure you,"
said the crest-fallen Nobbs
"Cnme inside, and we'll see," said the
detective, seizipg the bag. "Out of the
cab-quick and come with me to the
office"
Mr.. Nohbs complied with a very bad
grace; while the corporal and follow
ed, wondering what was to happen next.
We entered a room in the interior, and
the bag was opened; but it apparently
contained nothing but the clothes.
"There is certainly no grounds for de-
tanning this man," said an inspector,
standing near
Mr. Nobhs at once frightened up and
cried: "You see l have told You the
truth, and now be good enough to let
me go"
GAN right" said the detective. "Pack
up your traps and clear out!"
Mr.. Nobhs this time complied with
exceeding alacriiy. and began to replace
the articles of clothing. when the de-
tective, seemingly acting on sudden
impulse, caugh, up the valise and gave
it vigorous shake. A slight rustling
sound was distinctly audible
sHillo! what's thisY" cried the officer.
Emptyiug the clothes out of the bag