The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-11-17
THE ARKANSAw TRAVELLER

for watch. A dozen were offered.
No, none OF these would dot must
be good watch-a repeater.
Sir Lewis Mallaby's was the only
one in the room, and he at first dis
tinctly refused to lend it. But 30 many
earnest entreaties were addressed to
him, the hostess leading the attack,
that he could not in common courtesy
continue to refuse.
With something like a growl he
took his watch off the chain and
handed it to Jack Newbiggin.
A curious, old-fashioned watch it
was, which would have gladdened the
heart of a watch collector-all jeweled
and enameled, adorned with crest and
iuscription-an heirloom, which had
probably been in the Mallaby family
tor years. Jack looked it over curl
ously, meditatively; then, suddenly
raising his eyes, he stared intently into
Sir Lewis Mallaby's face and almost as
quickly dropped them again.
"This is far too valuable" he said,
courteously, "too much of treasure
to be risked in any conjuring trick.
An ordinary modern watch might
replace, but not work of art like
this"
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis,
who received 1t with i'll concealed sat
isfaction. He was as much pleased,
probably, at jacks expression of pos
sible failure in the proposed trick as
at the recovery of his property.
Another watch, however, was
pounded into jelly and brought out
whole from cabinet in an adjoining
room.
ooh, but it is too preposterous," Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard to say, quite
angrily. The continued applause pro-
foundry disguised him. "This is the
merest charlatanism. 1t must be put
an end to. 1t is the commonest i'm
posture. These are things which he
has coached up in advance. Let him
be tried with something which upon
the face of it he cannot have learned
beforehand by artificial MEANS"
"Try him, Sir Lewis, try him your
SELF" cried several voices.
II scarcely like to lend myself to
such folly or encourage 30 pitiable an
exhibition"
But he seemed to be conscious that
further protest would be in Jacks
favor so he said, "Can you tell what
I have in this pocket" He touched
the left breast of his coat.
ga pocketbook."
"Bah! Every one carries pocket
book in his pocket"
"But do your" asked several of the
bystanders, all of whom were grow
ing deeply interested interested in this
strange duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he
did and produced it-an ordinary mo-
rocco leather purse and pocketbook,
all in one.
"Are you prepared to go on?" said
the baronet, haughtily to Jack.
"Certainly."
"What does this pocketbook con-
tain?"
Evidence"
evidence of what?"
"Of facts that must, sooner or later,
come to light"
"What ridiculous nonsense | give
you my word this pocketbook con-
tains nothing-absolutely nothing
but bank of England note for 100
pounds"
"Stay !" said Jack Newbiggin, fac
ing him abruptly and speaking in
voice of thunder. ait Is not so-you
know tit is only the halfv
And as he spoke he took the pocket
book from the hands of the really
stupefied baronet and exhibited for
inspection-the half of Bank of Eng
land note for 100 pounds.
There was much applause at this
harmless and successful denouement
of what threatened at one stage to lead
to alteration, perhaps to a quarrel.
But Jack Newbiggen was not satisfied.
| Gas you have dared me to do my
worst" said he, "listen now to what I
have to say. Not only did l know that
was only the half of note, but
know where the other half is to be
found"
$50 much the better for me-" said
the baronet, with an effort to appear
humorous.
"That other half was given to-shall
I say, Sir Lewis?"
Sir Lewis nodded indifferently.
at was given to one Hester Gorri-
gan, an old nurse, six years ago."
"Silencel Say no more" cried Sir
Lewis in horror.
Sir Lewis had been . younger son;
the eldest inherited the family title,
but died early, leaving his widow to
give him posthumous heir, the title
remaining in allegiance until time
showed whether the infant was boy
or girl. Improved to bea boy, where
upon Lewis Mallaby, who had the
first information of the fact, put into