Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-11-28


attention of the occupants of the boat,
who were straining every nerve to
reach the next lock. While Mr.. Bit.
tleston was still shouting, they began
to disappear from view around the top
reach. without once turning their
heads.
''SiIly fellowi" exclaimed Mr.. Bittle-
ston, IN a state of excitement, as he
hastily descended from the garden seat
on which he had beed standing. lie
must be deaf and blind tool Here,
Ada, quickI Tell Robert to run to my
room and bring Mr.. Avery's portmant-
eau. Lend me hand, inspector. If
We look sharp We shall be able to catch
him up at the lock-"
He led the way to the boat-house,
followed by the inspector. But by the
time the boat was ready and the foot
man had appeared with the portmant-
eau, several minutes had elapsed.
"Here, Robert. put the portmanteau
in the bow and jump in," said Mr..
Bittleston, impatiently. 81 want you
to row me to the lock as quickly as you
can"
"Let me lend hand, - said Inspector
HardIss, divestIng himself of his coat
IN a very busines5-like manner.
The party started down stream III
pursuit, Mr.. Bit lesion steering, ami
frequently bobbing up and down in his
excitement to try and catch sight of
the boat ahead. In spite of their ef-
forts, however, they found the lock
gates closed against them, and the
parsons boat out of sight An abrupt
turn in the river at a short distant
already hid from view the boat just
relieved from the lock.
what a nuIsance!" exclaimed Mr..
Bittleston mopping his forehead. as he
steod on the banks of the lock. "Boat
with three gentlemen Just gone through.
Smithers?' he said To the lock-keeper,
Yes, sir, but they are coming back
They pulled their boat round by the
back water, and went on shore, after
asking me to keep an eye OH 1t till they
returned" said the man.
On, that IS all right" said Mr.. Bit
tleston. in tone of satisfaction. "We
will get back, Inspector. to attend TO
business. Hill bring up that portmant-
eau, Robert. Smithers will you take
charge OF it and give il to the Rev. Mr..
Avery, who is one OF those three gen.
tlemen, with my compliments?"
~ think you mentioned my name,
SIR" said "A voice from the lock, pro-
ceeding from one o. the occupants of a
boat which had just entered
Not that L am aware of," said Mr..
Bittleston, politely. "The gentleman
1 referred to was the Rev. Mark
Avery"
~ am the Rev. Mark Avery" said
the stranger, promptly.
1.-The gentleman that l mean Is the
Of Rfaf in
George's-in-the-E East" !" said Mr.. Bitlle-
ston, feeling confused
"Then there Is no doubt whatever
that you mean me, - returned the stran-
ger, with a laugh in which his compan-
ions Joined.
Mr.. Bittleston started un1 Gfnred at
the young man, who bore his gaze IN.
hinchingly. This Mark Avery Was a
tall, powerful, black-whiskered young
fellow, totally different in appearance
from the slim, modest, retiring youth
who claimed the same appellation. II
crossed AIr. Bittleson's mind that the
party in the lock were having a joke al
his expense, and lie was about to resent
the impeTtinence in very forcible Ian
guage, when the Inspector, who had
been standing by, touched him on the
arm.
THAT is Mt. avery, sure enough
said the cilicer; 1--we seen him before.
| That being so, l think we had better
see what Is inside the portmanteau.
It's precious heavy" he added, se.Zing
I hold of it with sudden interest.
Mr.. Bittleston was too much non
pluSsed to interfere, besides which, he
| began to entertain dIsquieting suspI'
cions, The inspector proceeded will
| great dexterity to unfasten the strap:
I of the portmanteau and in the twink
/ ling OF an eye had mastered the loci
with a large stone. Upon his opening
/ the lid, an excited exclamation burst
/ from the bystanders, for the content:
/ OF the portmanteau proved to be the
/ whole of the articles of silver and Iel-
/ elry which had been stolen from Mr.
/ BIJtlestOn's safe.
Hanged If l didn't think this wa:
/ itl'' calculated the inspector. "Y OF
! put NE OF the scent by leading me tC
I believe that the par5on who dined will
( you was an old friend. You never told
me you had entertained a stranger whC
had left his baggage, OF l should no
| have wasted the last day or two."
II had no idea that-that the young
I man was a sw!ndler," murmured Mr
| BlCtleStOn-
II can see the game as clear as day
| light" said tus Inspector. "Havins
reconnOitered the premises. he and hi:
pals do tie Job neatly in the night. He
knows the difficulty OF getting away
with the swag. and thinks he may bt
STOPPED and searched by the police
In consequence of having been to thu
house the day before the robbery. 81
lie left the things with you. and mean
while he has made every arrangement
to dispose of them"
"How fortunatel How mlraculous!'
exclaimed the old gentleman, beginning
TO realize his good fortune. But how
was it he didn't claim the portmanteaI
after all?''
~ rather fancy he caught sight o
me on the lawn and sheered OF, ;" saiC
the inspector. This is about TIT
meaning of 1t. and, what's more, cal
make a very good guess at who 1t is.
shall not wait here for him, for b,
won't come back; but 1 think in TIL
course of day or two / shall lay N,
hands on him and his pals too
And he did.