Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-07-26

AN, ha, though; Dick. this is CrabbI,
v!llainous agent, and he sses he is dis
covered I
Sir, said Dick to the young man
L have come about the black box you
brought from the station
The young man started.
May ask, he inquired nervously
what you want about it7'
i want, sir, cried DICK, in a voic,
of thunder, to see il and its contents.
My gracious Its AL found ont.
said the youth despaiTingly.
Yes, sir it is, suspected the trick
and now have caught you.
The young man shook his head IL
sorrow.
I Yes, sir aud ! brand You as a
thief continued the infurlated Dick
The young maa 4uiveyed.
Yes. as a th.,tl And tomorrow
sir, you'll taxi your place il the
dock +"
Oh, sir, spare me Don't, for
heaven : sake. expose NE
Don't appeai TO M, sill, replied
Dick, whose blood was III. Both you
and your Infamous emr!0ver shall be
indicted
The young man started
Ny employer he repeated. in.
quIringly | don't quite understand
you. sir.
None Of this foo!ery. cried Dick,
turiOusly I'm Mr. Richard Pepper
corn, and come 20 claim my wife's
box, which you, at John Crabbs in
stigation, stole.
Sir, said the youth surprised, but
at the same time relieved, the box is
mine, and never heard OF such a
person AS John Crabb.
Dick gazed-at the speaker, absolutely
speeckless with fury.
Produce the box, he at last con.
trived TO mutter in hoarse voice.
But objected the young man.
Produce the box / roared Dick.
Scared half out OF his wits, the
young fellow left the room, and a
moment afterward returned, dragging
III the black box.
Pointing to the initials E. V. P.
upon it. Dick asked Are those your
initials 2
No, answered the bewildered youth,
hesltatingly, but they were on the
box when got it,.
/ daresay they were, answered
Dick, grimly.
Yes, l got it at Mr.. Bord's-'
oh, then, you re John Smith, are
you
John Smith Not at all. Ny name
Is William Shelton. What makes you
think | was John Smith asked the
youth, greatly surprised
Because Mr. Bord told ME that
that WAS your name, and that You
ordered box exactly similar to my
wI:r's
But didn't order the box at all :
reloInsd the youth ! bought it
ready made.
D,ck threw upon NJ. Ske!ton
look Of unrtterahe contempt.
/ assure you lisa fact, protested
t.re unfortunate SHELTON i wanted
n hoA ~ haste Tor IA certain purpose,
ani not finding any TO suit me bat the
OF. with tlese initials on Mr.. Bord
lei ue have il an condition that ]
promised 20 paint Off the letters l
wish - goodness ! hal done so it
would have saved me all this trouble.
Dlck could not but notice the strong
appearance Of sincerity IL the young
mar voice and manner. If he were
acting he vas setting uncommonly
ve!.
Well, said Dick, more calmly than
hitherto. you can easily prove the
tra'h G: yoaE story and that that ls
NJ ny wife : box by opening it
Mr.. Shelton vas greatly embar.
ras-ed
oh. 10 cried Dick. raging again.
'Ton re afraid, are you Well shall
! al, n the police ?
NJ, no ! don't ike to open it,
because 1t contains something queer
hUt ii you won't spl.t-
Open it, I repeat. and if the box ia
rot nv wife's III apologize and With.
draw
Hesitat,uGly the young man pro.
ducsd his keys. With some difficulty
l.. ,pionEaJ iha hnr Whar ba thraw