The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-04-19

After few minutes wasted In forcfbll |
comments upon what had happened, the Oh |
struction was hastily removed from the |
track, and the train moved on.
As the last rumble died away in the dis |
tancc, single figure crept up from its hid |
ing place in wecdy hollow, and stood
darkly defined under the cleaning stars.
II wasn't any more than in time" the
figure muttered. "But what IN escape for
mel What q cover to this little affair Of
minei Itcouldn't have happened better u
I'd had the planning"
The loss TO the express company proved
to be 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.
6rmation Of his tale.4 A square suficiently
large to admit mans body had been cut
through the bottom Of the car, leaving the
boards 30 carefully fitted into it that . cas-.
ual inspection would not betray the fact II
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 follered
him. It beats the deucei 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 - not dropped quietly down
and made away when the second lot Of rob-
bers took the train. What do you make out
Of IL, Bergmana Do you reckon that the
cream Of the slximmin' was in that ar
one package he took. It don't seem material
that any common thief should 20 over Q
gold brick and Q thousand dollars in jew
elry and more in cash for ono bit of Q pack
age unless 1t was worth sight-any ways
to him. Pity you don't know the address 1t
had on it.n
'.But do know. Something-I don't
know what-impressed it on my memory"
81 know what I'd do If I was in your
shoes, then," said Ike. "I'd go to the party
1t was intended for and tell him all aboutit.
The express company isn't going to coax
him to come down on them for the vally Of
1t by giving him notice of its loss, and they're
all taken up in the hunt after the other gang.
Now, take it that it wasn't money nor
straight moneys worth, but something Of
as much or may be more concern to them
that's interested in It, and I'd give them the
chance to get on the track Of the thief while
it's fresh. Looks to me like the square way
Of doing it."N
~ believe you are right, ne," said Berg.
man, thoughtfully, and it was in accord.
ance with this view Of the case that he made
his way the following evening to the ad
dress which he carried in his mind. It was
growing late, for he had been obliged to
wait until his working hours were over II
was an unknown locality to him, the street
quiet one branching of from one Of the
main avenues, and not SO we'll lighted, 30
that he had some difficulty in determining
the location of the number he sought. Once
or twice, as he stopped to study the mum.
bers, he glanced back, thinking he heard
footsteps and expecting to sec some one ap-
proach, though no one appeared; but now,
as he made out the right figures over the
door of house which stood little back
from the sidewalk, some one did come hasti-
ly up at his back, and turning from the
street at tho same instant with himself
mounted the steps at his side.
'Going inl" queried this new conner, FUN
bling in his pocket, apparently for o key.
eyes, If, as suppose, Mr.. Childer lives
here"
'Iam Lyman Childer. Haven't seen you
before, somewheres'
'Really, don't think you'd know for all
the chance you have Of seeing me here"
thought Bergman, unpleasantly affected by
the brusque tones of the other; but he gave
his name, and was surprised to find 1t i'm
mediately recognized.
1.-THE express messengeri Have you
brought package ipr me, sirl''
II have not, butt e with reference to that
have come"
"Explain yourself, please"
81 WILL" more and more displeased by the
manner Of the other. 1.-THE package was
stolen, in so strange way that thought il
best to let you know the exact circumstances
attending its loss. II you choose to listen
here will make the matter short"
Briefly he related the circumstances at.
tending its loss, the other listening until the
sound Of withdrawing bolts within made
him start. With a muttered excuse, he
darted down the steps, and hurried away,
while the opening door disclosed young
the sight Of the messenger, lingering on the
steps.
Ibid you wish to see me, siri" he in
81 had business with Mr. Childer, who
has just left me-" explained Norris Berg
| man.
'sMr. Childer9' in q puzzled tone. ~
wasn't aware had q namesake-at my
very door, too Are you quite sure that
| you have not made mistakei My name Il
Lyman Childer."
| A feelingof CONSERVATION, mingled will
chagrin, swept over the express messenger
He realized instantly that he had beer
duped; there was that about the man be
fore him that gave him confidence in hi
truth, had not the hasty manner in which
the other decamped stamped his preten
sions with suspicion.
II am afraid have been an idiotW h
exclaimed, ruefully III you will give me
moment to explain"
"As many as you like, If you will step In
side"
Bergman followed him through the Nghte,
hall, into q small apartment bearing Q lite
of masculine traps which stamped 1t a.
gentleman's smoking room, and there mad
his explanation. Lyman Childer treate'
the matter lightly.
II am not looking for any valuable com
modify" he said. "In fact, haven't tn
faintest idea what the package could cor
tain. 1t strikes me that my counterfeit
little of his base. Got tho notion proba
bly, that the thing Is worth more than is 9
all likely to prove the case should IT eve
turn up"
'sDo you propose, then, to take no step
toward its rccoveryl"
~ don't know about that. OF course Nv
my own curiosity. What would you advis
me to do about it,
ssTrace out the sender ~ the Arst II
stance The package came from Ronn
Rock. Tex. That may be clue to you n
garding its nature"
sDon't know o soul there" declared Ly
| ,~oc Nhi1dor otil1 1iOhflv tTInOn vvOr(