The Irish standard., 1888-04-21
CHAPTER XII.
"COME TO ME. -

Norris paid that proposed visit to his
uncle when he left the bankers home. He
found Amos Bergman deep in a study of
Vidocq, but none the less glad to have his
boy back in the quiet cottage which was
sometimes just little lonely for even such
self-suficient man as Uncle Amos.
"You couldn't possibly have come at a
better time, Norris,'' he exclaimed, g]eeiul-
ly. 81 want to see how my theory holds
together in other eyes than my own. I
think have it perfect at last, but they say
an authors Judgment is always at fault
regarding his own creations, and if there is
a flaw want to know it, You don't think
I am flching from your domain, hope?
This idea of yours about going into the bank
is not bad. You'll be in {; position there to
do me some good, perhaps, if your own case
don't suffer by it.'
"What theory have you created, Uncle
Arnos:"
'In the first place, don't take any stock
in Everleigh's thought that there was some
one behind Edison. That man did the work
and got away with the spells. He was sue
cessful in lodging the officers and hiding,
first in one place and then in another. but
naturally enough he got tired Of that after
time Besides, he'd got little good out Of
his stolen fortune. 1t wasn't the love of
money made him steal it,; it was the love of
ease, the desire for luxury, good living and
the like. Having the means, he was as Tar
Off from the end of enjoying these as ever,
oto bring about the end for which be had
sinned, he-died."
'Certainly a queer way OF doing it, Uncle
Amos.'
"Not when you understand It only goes
TO show how clever the man is. don't say
was, you perceive"
'Then you think
'tThat he is still in the land of the living
yes ! That the death was q sham,
planned and executed very skillfully, have
no doubt, to stop pursuit. II it was real,
there would be some trace Of the bank $
funds. He would either turn them over to
his friends or try to buy himself off from
the judgment Of the next world by return
ing them to Everleigh. EIe did neither.
The detectives think that he had them
hidden, and so do I-where he can 60 back
and enjoy them when the whole affair has
blown over and been forgotten"
"You are q Pere Tabaret for reasoning"
said Norris, with a smile.
'sThe thing seems plausible to you,
then?'
sob, very plausible The only point
against it is, that things of that kind are
not easily covered over. There would have
to be accomplices, or at least false rec
ords."
Ia clever man could manage it. Well
pass over the difficulties, and see what
comes next. supposing that he is dead and
buried in the eyes Of the law, Where would
tov i11,%
to hide himself! Not an intellectual man, q
plodder IN fact, understanding no language
but his OWL, after living all his life here
what chance would there be for him tt
have % good time in foreign countries? Not
any. There's more probability Of his drift
ing back here in some sort Of disguise
where he knows his ground. and will not
feel altogether outcast ard alone"
"Then your idea is to watch Tor hin
here?'
Norris had learned to be patient with his
uncle's hobbies He looked at all this e.:
another chinera, to be pursued while the
novelty lasted, then dropped and forgotten
but he would not wound the relative wnt
had been kind to him in his own eccentric
way by saying as much.
A shrewd look came into Amos Bergman:
shriveled face.
:sI've given you my theory in full, but
shall not give even you my plan of action
a pretty detective I'd make, even Of tn,
amateur sort, if didn't know when to iaoli
my tongue. It's lesson you have Learned
very well, my boy, very well indeed, and
approve Of it in you. Come and see N.
flowers while the daylight lasts"
He arose with alacrity and led the way, a
if anxious to leave the subject they ha,
been speaking on. Norris blushed littl
to feel that he was leaving a wrong impress
sion by his silence. He had lost all zest il
his own effort at detective work; the mys
terry Of the train robbery was likely to re
main as much a mystery to the end, and O
late he had not felt SO sensitive on accoun
of the express company 8 suspicion.
He staid three days at the cottage, the
finding Amos Bergman still absorbed IN hi
theories and plans, went back to his cit
lodgings.
1t was only the middle of December nov
He had quite two weeks at his disposal be
fore settling down to the routine Of ban
duty-for Norris had made up his mind t
70 to work there with the new year. ID