The Irish standard., 1888-04-07

1t was all over SO quickly there had been
scarcely chance for resistance.
After a few minutes wasted in torclble
comments upon what had happened, the OBJ
struction was hastily removed from the
track, and the train moved on.
AS the last runble died away in the dis
lance, single figure crept up from its hid
ing place in a weedy hollow, and stood
darkly defined under the cleaning stars.
II wasn't any more than in time," the
figure n1uttered. "But what an escape for
me! What a cover to this little affair OF
mine! Itcouldn't have happened better if
I'd had the planning"
The loss to the express company proved
TO be a heavy one, and the story OF the
messenger regarding the first assault pro-
duced but little effect, though the clearing
out of the car brought unexpected con-
f1rmation Of his tale. A square sufficiently
large IT, admit mans body had been cut
through the bottom Of the car, leaving the
boards so carefully fitted into it that a cas-
u;sl inspection would not betray the fact Tt
was Ike who made the discovery and i'm
parted it to Bergman.
''Looks like your no. One had put up
carefuller job than the gang what tolieced
him. It beats the deuce! Why, that ar chap
must have rode through on the truck and
watched his chance to get you alone, then
popped up through that hole and got back
again, and like as not dropped quietly down
and made away when the second lot ct rob-
bers took the train. What do you make OUT
Of it, Bergman! Do you reckon that the
cream OF the skimmin was in that ar
one package he took. It don't seem material
that any common thief should 20 over 8
gold brick and 81 thousand dollars in jew
elry and more in cash for one bit Of a pack
age unless it was worth a sigEtany ways
to him. Pity you don't know the address it
has! on ir''
''But 10 know. Something's don't
know what impressed il on my memory"
II know what I'd do il I was in your
shoes, them" said Ike SID go to the party
it was intended for and tell him all sboutit
The express company isn't going to coax
him to come down on them fois the vally OF
it by giving him notice of it's loss, and they're
all taken up in the hunt after the other gang.
Now, take 1t that ii wasn't money nor
straight moneys worth, but something OF
as nuct or may be more concern to them
that's interested in it, and ia give them the
chance to get on tho track Of the thief while
it's fresh, Locks to me like the square way
Of doing it's
At believe you are right, 1lle," said Berg
man, thoughtfu]ly, and it was in accord
alice with thia view of the case that he made
his way the following evening to the adj
dress which ht: carried in his mind. It was
growing late, Tor he had been obliged to
wait until his working tlours were over. II
was an unknown locality to him, the street
q quiet ons branching of from one Of the
main avenues, aud not so we'll Hgnted, 80
that he had some difficulty in determining
the location Of the number be sought Once
or twice, as he stopped to study the nu1n-
bers, he glanced back, thinking he heard
footsteps and expecting to see some one az
proach, though no one appeared: but now,
f.s he made OUT the right figures over tho
, door OF u house which atoocS ~ little back
from the sidewalk, some ono did come hasta"
ly up at his back, and turning FROM the
| street ct the same instant with himself
mounted the steps at his side.
s'Going in?'' queried rhis new conner, FUN
bling in his pocket, apparently for a key.
eyes, il, as I suppose, Mr.. Childer lives
here.''
clam Lylnan Childer. Haven't Iseen you
| before, so1newhere2"
Greatly, don't thiul1 you'd knew for all
the chance you hava Of seeing me here, ;"
thought Bergman, unpleasantly affected by
the brusoue tones of tho other; but he gave
his name, and was surprised to find it in1-
mediately recognized.
1.-THE express messengerl Navs, you
brought {. package for me, sir?"
Il have not, butt is with reference to that
/ have come"
| "Explain yourself, please
| ST wiu,'' more and more displeftsed By the
manner Of the other. sf:Ehe package was
stolen, in SO strange way hat I thought 1t
best to let sou know the exact circumstances
attending it's loss. II you choose to listen
here will make the matter short"
Briefly be related the circumstances at
tending it's loss, the other listening until the
SQUAD of Withdrawing bolts within made
him start With a muttered excuse, he
| darted down the steps, and hurried away,
| while the opening door disclosed a young
man equipped for the street, who paused at
| the sighu Of the messenger, lingering ON the
steps.
''Did you wish to see me, sir2'' he i'll
! quired.
81 had business with Mr.. Childer, who
has Just left me-" explained Norris Berg
man.
! :sMr. Childer2" in puzzled tone. II
wasn't aware I had a namesa!ze- at my
very door, TOO. Are you quite sure that
! YOU nave hot luausa ~ uIISGtlhe: IVY AdAAC ID
! Lyman Childer.''
! A feeling OF Consideration, mingled with
{ chagrln: swept over the express messenger.
He realized instantly that he had been
duped; there was that about the man be-
fore him that gave him confidence i'll his
truth, had no! the hasty manner IN which
the other decarnped stamped his preten-
( sions with suspicion.
so am afraid have been an idiotp' he
exclaimed, ruefully: iii you will give me q
moment to explain
GAS many as you like, if you will step in.
sida"
Bergman followed him through the lighted
hall, into small apartment bearing a little,
of masculine traps which stamped it as
gentleman's sn1oking-roon: and there made
his explanation. Lyman Childer treated
the matter lightly.
81 am not looking for any valuable com
modity,'' he said. Tin fact, / haven't the
faintest idea what the package could con
tain It strikes me that my counterfeit is
little of his base. Got the notion proba
bly, that the thing is worth more than is al
all likely to prove the case should it ever
<,,rr