The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-20
conelnded trom Paee T.re.

Oood deal before he dled,' didn't
 ear that, sir,' says; he was always
 <e;,y hard ;s :Ae hesa' So then he
 vs: It was on "Wednesday Mir. Gould
 came down from London fist, wasn't
 3 Yes, sir says and then he asks:
 Well, how was it he came back on
 hursdayr q don't kaow, sir,' 1 says;
 ,u. think see him over there; maybe
 nud like to talk to him ? Sp at that
 made of, and dragged Sir Peter with
 i'm"
 MT. Goulding laughed at this story, but
 felt little uneasy and annoyed nev-
 theless. He did not talk much during he drive, for his thoughts were occupied kith the events of the last few days, and
 was wondering whether there would
 e any news for him when he reached
 ondon. The case now stood thus: if he will were found within few days, all kould be well. If it were not, and Sir Peter came to hear of the circumst ances, < t was probable that the clever Mir. Crooks would urge him to apply for letters of ad- ministration. Mir. Goulding could then Relay their future progress by entering khat is c'lled eaveat, which would kause the matter to be brought into court.
 l., however, the will were not recovered 3sby the time the case came to be heard, ' Rhe court would grant administration to Sir Peter MosSop as next of kin. It Knight, of course, come to light alter wards; but possession is nine points of the law, and as the baronet would in that eyent be more likely ,o dispute it, endless Litigation and expense might result. Of ! course the document must be in exist ence somewhere but the danger was that if the person who held it should make inquiries and find out that it would be worth so much to Sir Peter, he might of- Afer to sell it to him, and the temptation would be too strong for the impecunious baronet to resist, especially if he were guded by his trusty counsellor, David Crooks. The latter would, no doubt, be satisfied if his client got even temporary possession of the estate, as that would give him sufficient opportunity of Aeec- ing his victim.
 It was to be hoped, however, that none [ of these disagreeable possibilities would be realized; at all events, MT. Goulding had little time at his disposal in which to act. He did not care much about his own legacy, but it troubled him exceed ingly to think that, by his unfortunate negligence, he might be the means of keeping Mrs. Reddie and her family out of their fortune. Besides, when the af- fair came to be known, as it undoubtedly would, his professional reputation would be seriously injured, and the firm would suffer in consequence. Altogether, he felt his position so acutely that had he been sufficiently wealthy, he would h ave made the loss all his own, large as it was In passing through CreWe, nc once more called at the inquiry office, but with like result. The railway people had heard nothing more about the bag, and as they were not liable for the loss of anything that was in the passengers own care, it is likely they did not trouble Gaulding, travelling by the same train as on the previous Thursday, reached home about the same hour, but only to find that there was no message about the missing will awaiting him. He assed a restless night, and went down to his office be- times on the following morning, to the surprise of the junior clerk, who arrived at the same moment. When Mir. Shuttle worth walked in, nearly an hour later, it was only another disap pointment for his partner. He had been around to Poyn- ters the evening before, but the ex -detec- tive had nothing to communicate. Mr. Goulding's spirits fell considerably on hearing this, for he had fully expected that the offer of 6fty pounds would lead to the restoration of the papers but he concluded that perhaps the thief was waiting for better terms, and SO deter mined to make the reward a hundred. He paid visit to Mir. Poynter shortly afterward, to announce his intention and consult; and at this interview the con- ductor of private inquiries assumed his most profound and kno wing air, and fav- ored the solicitor with a great deal of oracular wisdom, which was taken for what it was worth.
 "You sec" he said, the party that's got it knows-ifhe knows anything-that it's good for lots more than fifty. Of course he's aware that he'll have to give it up in the long run, because he sees my name to the advertisement. I've got my eye on him, so to speak, and always track these fellows out before 1 stop."
 "I'm greatly afraid you haven. got your eye on this fellow" said the solici- tor, whose patience was sorely tried by this inflated style of talking. It might have done very well with simple folk, he thought, but ought not to have bsea as- sumed toward him, an experienced man of law.
 "Well, if you were to send me down to Crewe for a week, have no doubt it would shorten the chase. have two or three important cases in hand, but would manage to leave them over to oblige you"
 No, thank you," said Mir. Goulding coldly.
 But, sf course, as was saying be- fore" MT. Poynter continued, Che knows it's worth lot more than fifty, and he's holding out for something bigger"
 "Well, we must try whether hundred will tempt him."
 "Yes, ke can try, Mir. Goulding. You see, yos have your idea of how it was