The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-08-30


lance, a single figure crept up from its hid
ing place in weedy hollow, and stooC
darkly defined under the cleaning stars.
VI wasn't any more than in time" tn,
figure muttered. "But what an escape fol
mel What cover to this little affair o.
minei Itcouldn't have happened better L
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 bat little effect, though the clearing
out of the car brought unexpected con.
frmation of his tale. A square sufficiently
large TO admit mans body had been cut
through the bottom of the car, leaving the
boards so carefully fitted into it that cas-
ual inspection would not betray the fact. II
was Ike who made the discovery and Inn
parted II to Bergman.
Looks like your No. One had put up q
carefuller job than the gang what follered
him. 1t 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 as not dropped quietly down
and made away when the second lot Of rob
bers took the train. What do you make out
Of it, Bergmanl Do you reckon that the
cream of the skimmin' was in that ar
one package he took. 1t don't seem material
that any common thief should go over q
gold brick and thousand dollars in jew
elry and more in cash for one bit of pack
age unless ii was worth sight-ang ways
TO him. Pity you don't know the address it
had on it."
"But ! do know Something's don't
know what-impressed it on my memory"
al know what I'd do II / was in your
shoes, then,p said Ike. "rd go to the party
it 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
it by giving him notice Of 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 il, 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,
Z" believe you are right, Ike" 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 adj
dress which he carried in his mind. II was
growing late, for he had been obliged to
wait until his working hours were over, 1t
was an unknown locality TO him, the street
a quiet ole branching OF from one Of the
main avenues, and not so well lighted, so
that he had some difficulty in determining
the location Of the number he sought. Once
or twice, as he stopped to study the num-
bers, he glanced back, thinking he heard
footsteps and expecting to see some one APP
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 the same instant with himself
mounted the steps at his side.
"Going inp' quericd this now conner, FUN
bling in his pocket, apparently for key.
Eyes, if, as suppose, Mr.. Childer lives
here.n
'Tam Lyman Childer. Haven't seen you
before, somewhere!n
Really don't think you'd know for all
the chance you have of seeing me here,n
thought Bergman, unpleasantly affected by
the brusque tones of the other; but he gave
his name, and was surprised to find it i'm
mediately recognized.
''The express messengerl Have you
brought package for me, sirln
II have not, butt is with reference to that
have Gomez
Explain yourself, please.n
81 will, y more and more displeased by the
Of the other. 'The package was
stolen, in so strange way that thought it
best to let you know the exact circumstances
its loss II you choose to listen
here will make the matter shortn
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
1arted down the steps, and hurried away,
while the opening door disclosed a young
man equipped for tho street, who paused at
the sight of the messenger, lingering on the
steps.
''Did you wish to see me, siri' he in.
luired.
~ had business with Mr.. Childer, who
has just left me-" explained Norris Berg
man.
"Mr. Childerr in puzzled tone. 81
wasn't aware / had namesake-at my
very door, too. Are you quite sure that
you have not made mistakei My name is
Lyman Chlder.n
A feelingof CONSERVATION, mingled with
chagrin, 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 in his
truth, had not the hasty manner in which
the other decamped stamped his preten-
sions with suspicion.
81 am afraid have been an idiotr' he
exclaimed, ruefully ''If you will give me
moment TO explain"
"As many as you like, II you will step in
siden
Bergman followed him through the lighted
hall, into small apartment bearing litter
OF masculine traps which stamped it as
gentleman's smoking-room, and there made
his explanation. Lyman Childer treated
the matter lightly.
~ am not looking for any valuable COM
modify he said. SIN fact, haven't the
faintest idea what the package could con-
tain. 1t strikcs me that my counterfeit is
a little OF his<oase. Got the notion proba-
bly, that the thing is worth more than is at
all likely to prove the case should it ever
turn up.n
''Do you pro-ose, then, to take no steps
toward its recoveryn
81 don't know about that OF course I've
my own curiosity. What would you advise
me to do about itln
s'Trace out the sender in the first in
stance. The package came from Round
Rock. Tex That may be o clue TO you re-
garding its nature"
',Don't know soul there declared Ly-
man Childer, still lightly. upon my word,
! believe you have as much interest in the
matter as have"
Norris Bergman colored, and felt abashed.
II don't know why it should take so
strong u hold on me. The mere fact that the
thief should single it from so many others
that on their face would seem more Of
prize may have something to do with it.
Let me advise you to see the agent about it
at once"
Lyman Childer turned q somewhat quiz
zical though searching glance upon the
messenger.
"Does tho company pay you for taking
sides against it'' he asked. "Wouldn't
the agent think that advice little ofiicious,