Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-11-18
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
Having dulv reached the station, Alger-
non Mortimer took his ticket, and then
LOOKED about to iud a vacant compart-
ment in the train, which was timed to
start in ten minutes. He would have pre-
ferred a carriage to himself; but the tain
was 80 full that the nearest approach that
he c)uld O5'ain to solitude was a smok'n2
carriage which was only te1anted by an
elderly gentleman, placid, large faced, and
specialized. He bsamed so good-naturedly
upon the yO1ng man, as he came up and
placed his Dag on tie s9st preparatory TO
getting in himself, that thu thief felt that
he could ros have a more Ionising travel
ing companion. But just as his foot was
on tbs sep in the very act of entering he
was suddenly dragged back by a herce
pail, aud an exu,tlnt voice exclaimed:
What? I've caught you at last, have II"
It was David Roberts.
81 don't know VIVA. you men," said
the Captain" aDgIily, trying to shake
himself free, Let me go instantly
mot if l know it! I'm not going to be
robbed Of a gold brooch AMI a diamond
ring, and t~hirty-nine pounds 10 money,
and not collar the thief when see him!
Igs no pss tr7iCg to elcsps me. You're
cauyht this time. l could swear to you
among a thousand?'
The old gentleman in the clrrisge was
Starting with evident bewi!derme1t, and,
! attracted by the commOtion, a little knot
O: pecp'e began TO gather round, among
whom was a policeman.
policeman ~ said the captive deeper-
ately, beckoaiDg to that f~uTctlonary, Il
give this man in charge FIR beiug dIu1S
aud disorderly, and sssaultipg me without
any pvovocition I am an officer in her Ma
iesty's service, and | cannot stO } to argue
with every drunken v~agabond who chooses
to mistake me for sOmtb )dy else"
Drunk ind sedw ta;d the little jeweler,
~plSsionstely. Don't you believe 1t po-
, iicemap. He's q THE. and a swindler,
who cheated me oat of a brooch and a
ring, and ~thirty-aine pounds a fortnight
ago, aud l swear I'll bring him to justice
for it!'
"But I tell you I am an officer and q
gentleman, and never saw this mailman
before t~s-aight!" retorted AlgeraOn. ~
ON travelling on important business, and II
l lo.e this train the consequences will be
most serious! Do your duty, constable,
and take this fellow into custody. There's
my card, with my name and address, t.
show you who am"
"'CAPr. GODFREY SPENCER,
Third Battali IN Royal Reds"
read out the guardian of order with mani
t. stIy increased respect for the person whit
claimed tie title. 81 say, you knox, thin
won't do" ne went on, addressing the ex'
cited accuser; ''you can't be allowed to g
about annoying gentlemen in this way, anf
Isball have to run yol in ifyOu peIsist In it.
The gentleman says hs'snever seen you b.:
fore and it's plain you're mistakiUg him fol
somebody else. And ifyCu take my advice
my man, you'll go home quietly without
any more disturbance"
"But l tell you he did rob me by pre-
tending to be a detective! l remember hin
perfectly, and I'd swear to him any
whsre!' sid David eXcitedly.
What proof have yOu g)t?' asked the
constable disdainfully.
"Prool! My own eyes, to be sure"
That wouldn't be enough for a court Of
law, I'm afraid. If you'd seen as mary
cases of mistaken idedtity as l have, you'd
he unwilling to YEA to your OWL
brother" remarked the gusrdisn of order.
Its clear yo1'Ye mistaken Captain Spen'
Ger fer somebody else. If you don't want
to be locked up as drunk and disorderly
You'll 90 about your business at once"
Aud he took the little man firmly by the
arm.
You talk about my own eyes being ne
proof; bat what proof have you, except
his own word for il, that he ia Captain
Spencer" returned lhs lit,ls Irishman.
G~eiantly.
"Havel't I saen his card?" drawlei tn;
policeman with lazy superiority, as if tina
were a most convincing srGumen'. Aud
it is very singular, if the reader will rstle
a moment, 20 notice the marvellous iufu
e7cs q minute scrap cfpsstsbosrd inscribed
with any name, however unfamiliar, ha'
in cslming the suspicious and bespeakins
the confidence OF all ranks of society. MOI
a day passes bat tbs production Of 8 visit
ing clrd with a lJurish FIX r Z Ites many
man and woman Of dubious antecsdent'
from many an unpleasant dilemma anC
ssryes them as a passport to s7ciety.
His card conte nptuously returned
the ieweler. He might have hal i
printed on purpose, or picked it up in tn,
street. Pray, what IS tEe:e to hirder mi
calling myself tbs Duke Of somewhere OF
a card, If l chcoS ? l say he's the very
man who came into my shO at Moortowr
aud swindled me out Of my money ant
my goods"
There, that will do" said the police
man very sternly, f1rcibly refining DlviC
with his strong arm and m%otioning to thu
other to get into tie carrisgs as the warn
ing whistle wa3 sounding. II don't be
ltve q word Of your story, and if you're
not quiet / shall have to lock You mp. II
advise yos not to compel me to call for as
sistance.'
As the train slowly left the station tht
last objects to meat the escaping swindler''
eyes were DsEid Roberts, with his fac
convuIsei by rage, forcibly held back by
the tall policeman, who lowered above
him a very giset 10 sizs and strength
The sight would have been most ludicrOu'
had mis- e3cspe been less nsrrow. He drew
q long breath of intense relief and subsldtC
into a corner, with q f eLiug of exullatioI
at his own foresight in kseping two o
three Of he cards he had pickHd up, in cas-:
they might prove useful in an emergency
The plan which the perusal OF Captain
Snannaris rnrTa:pNn6apna had Suuuoska1 n