Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-11
CHAPTER ".

Having duly reached the station Al
oernon Mortimer took his ticket, and
then looked about TO find a vacant com
partment in the train, which was timed
10 start in ten minutes. He would have
preferred q carriage to himself but the
train was so full that the nearest APP
proach he could obtain to solitude was a
smol inc. carriage which was only ten
anted by an elderly gentleman, placid,
large faced, and specialized. He beamed
so good-naturedly upon the young man
rs he came up and placed his bag on the
seat preparatory 10 getting in himself
that the thief felt that he could not have
a more promising travelling companion.
But inst as ms foot was on the step in
the very act of entering he was sudden
" dragged back bya fierce pull, and an
exultant voice exclaimed:
"What? I've caught you at last
have / 2"
1t was David Roberts.
g don't know what you mean, said
the Captain " angriiy, trying 10 shake
himself free. "Let me 60 instantly ~
"Notif know it I'm not going to DO
robbed Of a gold brooch, and a diamond
ring, and thirty nine pounds in money
and not collar the thief when | see him
It's no use trying to escape me. You're
caught this time. | could swear to you
among thousand !"
Tie Old gentleman in the carriage was
staring with evident bewilderment, and,
attracted by the commotiou, little knot
Of people began to gather round, among
whom wGs policeman.
policeman said the captive despe-
rately, reckoning to that functionary,
Z" / give this man IN charge for being
drunk and disorderly, and assaulting mo
without any provOcation. ! am an OIL
Ger in her Majesty g service, and l cannot
stop to argue with every drunken vaga-
bond who chooses to mistake me for
somebody else"
Drunk indeed !" said the little
ieweller, passionately. "Don't you be-
heve il. policeman. He's q thief and y
swindier, who cheated me Out Of brooch
and q ring, and E39 fortnight ago, and
| swear / II bring him to justice for it "
"But tell you am an officer and a
gentleman, and never saw this mailman
before tonight :" retorted Algernon.
IL am travelling on important business,
and if lose this train the consequences
Will be most serious Do your duty.
constable and take this fellow into Gus
tody. There's my card, with my name
and address, TO show you who am"
"'CAPTMN GODFREY SPENCER,
Third Battalion Royal Reds"
read ont the guardian OF order with mani
festly increased respect for the person
who claimed the title: 81 say, you
know. this won't do" he went on al
dressing the excited accuser, "you can't
be allowed to go about annoying gentle
men IN this way and | shall have to run
you in II you persist in it. The gentle
man says he's never seen you before,
and it's PLAIN you're installing him for
somebody else. Andi you take my adj
vice. my man, you'll 60 home quietly
without any more disturbance.
/" But tell you he did rob me by pre-
tending to DO detective l remember
him perfectly, and I'd swear TO him any
where said David excitedly.
"What proof have you got ?" asked
the constable disdainfully.
"Proof?" Ny own eyes, TO be sure "
"Ihat wouldn't be enough for a court
of law, / am afraid. II you'd seen as
many cases OF mistaken identity as I
have you'd be unwilling to swear to your
own brother. remarked the guardian Of
order. "lts clear you're mistakIng
Captain Spencer for somebody else. II
you don't want 10 be locked up rs drunk
and disorderly youth go about your bust
ness at once" And he took the little
man firmly by the arm