The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-07-18


Balmyre says"
Mr. Graves smiled at this. but he
only answered: ''Well, there was no.
coercion If the man is less mad than
he appears to be he only has himself to
thank"
With this remark the little man all
ruptly changed the conversation; but
he had not succeeded. even when he
set his colleague down at his own door
in completely restoring that gentleman's
equanimity.
However, DR.. Jones did not lone con-
tinue to marvel at Mr.. Graves eXtraor-
binary obtuseness, for the disagreeable
discovery that in his absence a sheriff's
officer had been placed in possession of
his apartments effectuallv drove all
other thoughts from his mind. As was
quite natural he was considerable
startled and upset, and for time he
lost his habitual fortitude and self-pos-
session. The bailiff seemed decent
sort of man, and as he was decidedly
disposed to be sympathetic, DR.. Jones
could not refrain in his bitterness of
spirit from inveighing against his evil
| fortune.
well. sir, it do seem ard. don't ftp
But, arter all, sir, wot is it? If Won
was as used to it as | am you wouldn't
think nothink about it. -
But you are earning your living,
remember. Meanwhile, how the deuce
am to earn mine with you about the
| place." *
ats a small matter, sir, and will be
easily arranged no doubt. Bring y6ur
! friends to see me a-settin' ere. That
always fetches 'em. Meanwhile. Lord
bless you, sir. don't mind me. Iwon't
interfere with your patients. For that
matter, if you II lend me Il suit O decent
togs, I'll show EN- in and out as grave
as Judge"
81 shouldn mind so much if Lowed
twenty thousand, instead of a paltry
hundred or two,' groaned the I'M
fortunate doctor, between his teeth.
That's allus the way, sir said the
man, shaking his head. 'It's the small
fish as gets caught in the nets; the big
uns break through EN-. Why look at
ere, he added, bringing forth docu-
ment from his pocket and unfolding it
clumsily. "'Ere's case in pint. An
absconding bankrupt got clean away
with 'undred thousand pounds. Just
think o that, and a livin' Ikea tightin'-
cock in AmericayI'
DIR. Jones mechanically took the
paper which the man handed to him.
1t was an official hand-bill containing
description of a certain Anstruther
Meadows, quondam city Spectator of
considerable notoriety, who had alb
seconded with a considerable quantity of
| plumber, after ruthleSSly robbing his
customers and friends. DR.. Jones had
heard of the man, and indeed his name
| had recently been on everybody's lips.
| The hand-bill was headed with an offer
| sion, and full and detailed description
was given of his personal appearance.
DR.. Jones glanced through this alb
| Stractedly and then his eye lighted upon
rough wood cut, purporting to be a
| likeness of the defaulter, which APP
peared in the margin. After
moments scrutiny the young man
sprang from his seat with an involun-
tarv exclamation.
"Do you know him, sir?" inquired
the baililf, quickly.
"Know him! No. How the deuce
should -" said DR.. Jones controlling
himself.
81 was 'oping, for your sake, you
could lay your finger on him, for there's
a nice little reward offered, returned
the man.
Give hundredr said DIR. Jones,
rather contemptuously. as he glanced
at the document.
"Aye, a tidy sum, amt it, sr?" said
the man. 'But, Lord bless yer! its all
tlummery-all a blind He's hoff long
ago, alvin in Americay, as l said just
now"
"Well, wherever he is, he has got a
fortune with him." said Dr. Jones,
handing back the document with an
animated expression. make yourself
at home, my man." he added. "Order
what you want. As you say, | daresay
this little matter of mine will soon be
arranged.
He hurried away as he spoke, and
entered his consulting room, where,
after locking the door, he commenced
to stride about in strangely excited
manner After while, happening to
catch sight of his flushed face as he
passed the looking glass, he paused and
gravely addressed himself. "a
Come, Clarence Jones, steady your
self This looks like a stroke of luck.
1t may even be the foundation of your
fortune. But you mustn't be too sure!
You may be mistaken. In any case,
you need cool head to play your cards
properly.
This soliloquy had soothing effect,
for he seated himself in the patients
armchair and deliberately knitted his
brows to think. The result of his de-
liberatons was that he started off with
composure to his club, and spent some
hours in going through the newspaper
files of the past month or two. He met
a city acquaintance, of whom he made
particular inquiries concerning Mr..
Anstruther Meadows. Altogether, he
evidently considered that he had passed
profitable evening, for, upon his
return, he saluted the man in possession
with friendly slap on the back, and
promised him a tive-pound note for
himself if his hopes as to paying him
out the next day were realized.
When he arose next morning, DR..
Jones wrote little note to DIR. Balmvre.
| stating that he had a great desire to nav