The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-09-03

hope he won't be late. Mr.. Bartlett, do
you think he will
"He need not" said Bartlett. "There
is a shop just across the harbor. He
could 90 there and back in ten minutes if
he chose to run"
Shortly AFTER the train from London
came in, and for the next ten minutes
they were all busy watching the CONT
mental tourists swarming on board. When,
however, at the end of quarter of an
hour, Mr.. Romney- -Romney had not re-
turned, the ladies manifested considera-
BILE uneasiness. The passengers were all
on board, the pile of luggage on the quay
was being rapidly reduced; and yet he
did not appear.
AS the harbor clock struck the half
hour, and the steam whistle roared out
Justify, Bertha Williams stood up and
looked toward the quay, biting her lips
nervously The last portmanteau came
laundering down on the deck, and the
gangway was drawn up. There was an
interchange of signals between the Cap
tain and the shore, a shout or two, and a
splash as the cables were cast off, and
then a quiver ran through the boat, and
the quay suddenly appeared to move
away, and Bertha dropped back in her
chair with a sob which would not be re-
pressed, for they were off, and Mr.. Rom
ney- Romney was left behind
'Don't be frightened" said Bartlett to
the ladies generally. perhaps he has
slipped on board and gone below. will
go and look"
He had not much faith in his own
theory, but he moved away as he spoke,
and looked through every part of the
steamer. He was soon convinced that
their friend was not on board. At this
point he suddenly remembered the letter
in bis pocket. He hurriedly broke the
SEAL and read as follows;
DEAR BARTLETT Il was playing the tru-
ant yesterday. or should have answered yours
sooner. The portrait you sent looks uncom-
monty like our old friend Harris, alias Rom
any," Of the Southeastern Bank case. | have
sent the picture on to Scotland Yard for furth-
er inquiry, and will let you know the result,
meanwhile keep Your eyes open, and don't let
Mr. Romney-Romney give you the slip. He is
pretty sure to know you.
Yours truly, LAURENCE TAPEHAM.
"Confound it all he has given Inc the
slip muttered Bartlett to himself. He
remembered Mr.. Romney- RomneS well
enough now, and as his mind ran over
the events of the last few days, he be-
gan to have a general idea that some
thing was wrong, though he was III able
to see clearly in what direction. The
first suspicion, however, which crossed
his mind, led him to 90 at once to Kate
Williams and inquire privately who was
left in charge of the Virginia House.
What he learned from Kate gave his
suspicious more definite shape. II ap-
peared that James," Mrs. Williams
man-ot- work, had gone out for the
day. taking with him Maria, the upper
house maid, with whom he was excepting
company" Mr.. Romney- Romney him
Self had arranged this, like the rest Of
the excursion. He had made presents to
all the servants in honor of his engage
ment, and had condescended to ask, as a
personal favor, that James and Maria
might be allowed to go and visit friends
at Dover. There remained the cook and
the under housemaid, and. OF course,
Kate added, Nalters-Mr. Romney Rom
ney's man.
'Ah, | forgot him." said Bartlett to
himself. "That makes two to reckon
with. And is likely as not they have
murdered the two women, and are now
riI1ng the house at their leisure, while
we are hung up on board this confound-
cd steamer"
There was Just one chance Of being
even with Mr., Romney- Romney. yet.
While he was looking regretfully at the
English coast, now rapidly dropping
down astern, Bartlett bethought him
that the morning steamer from Boulogne
was due to start somewhere about the
time that the boat from Folkestone came
in. lie at once made his way TO the
Captain of the Louise Dagmar. and in
tCrrogated that officer as to the chance
Of catching the boat back
If they were up in time at Boulogue,
the Captain said, there would be. ten
minutes before the other steamer start
ell. tnluckiy, they had been FIVE min
utes late in getting off, and had lost
another three minutes through q smack
passing across their bows, coming out of
the harbor. On the other hand, they
had one of the fastest boats on the ser
vice, and a good tide under her. With
Ilt ~. lilC NuIllClll tVlt lltIt llN lliISill
do it,
After that, there was nothing to be
done but to return to the ladies and en-
deavor to beguile the next hour with
small talk. 1t was as anxious and eX-
citing an hour as Bartlett had ever pass
ed. And he found himself continually
relapsing into vacant silence as he men
tally timed the stroke of the engines. or
measured the seemingly endless distance
between the ship and the French coast.
When at last the Boulognc harbor
came in sight, he was fain to bolt away
from his friends, and take up position
in the bows. From that point of vantage
he deserted to his relief the smoke of a
steamer within the harbor. \ moment
later he learned from one Of the crew
that the Louise Dagmar, after one OF
the best passages on record, was in near
ly five minutes before her time.
Bartlett never quite knew how he got
on board the other steamer, still less
what excuses he made to his party for
this second Gesertion. All he clearly re
membered was his arrival, perspiring and
breathless, on board the Folkestone boat
about half a minute before she east Off.
1t was barely one o'clock when he
found himself jumping on shore again in
Folkestone harbor. In the meantime he
had planned his next operations very
carefully. The first step was to drive to
the police station and obtain the assist
ance Of an Inspector and constable in
plain clothes. The three alighted just
before they came in sight of Virginia
House. After sending the constable
round to watch the house from the back,
Bartlett and the Inspector advanced to
the front door. Contrary to custom, it
was shut, but Bartlett had latch key
in his pocket, and they effected an en-
trance without difficulty or noise. They
at once became aware of a large pile OF
luggage in the hall, portmanteaus, trunks
and packing cases being heaped up in
discriminatory so, on seeing this, the
Inspector changed his plan of operations
Upon sign from him they retired eau
tiously. closing the door again noiseless-
ly behind them, and took up their posi-
ton in narrow side street.
They were none too soon. Scarcely
were they out of sight, when Walters
drove up in large, roomy fly. He lee
the way into the house, and was soor
busily engaged, with the tlyman, in re-
moving what Bartlett's companion spoke
| Of as the ''swag." AS the boxes an(
portmanteaus mounted up, Bartlett be
came imnatiant but still the InSnepto,