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

very unprepossessing young men, and
would evidently have been out of place
In a gentleman's dIning-room. On
seeing them. 1t occurred to Mr.. Bit
tleston that he had been a little too
preciPitate with his invitations; and II
was partly owing to reflections that he
took down the CLERGY List'' on reach
ing the house." and diligently searched
for Rev. Mark Avery's name. He
found it duly recorded, and learned
that the young man was curate of st.
Blaise's Church, one of the largest and
poorest parishes in the eastern part of
London.
The parson made his appearance at
dinner and created a favorable impress
sion. He won Mt. BIttleson's heart
by taking an immense interest in the
house and grounds, and insisted on
being shown over them. His tales of
the suffering poor of his parish, and
his modest reference TO his own arduous
life, elected the sympathy of the ladies;
and, in fact, the evening passed of so
well that. on his rising TO leave, old
Mr.. Bittleston pressed him to remain a
day In the nelghborhood, 50 as to visit
the church and other objects OF interest.
mo, thank you. I'm afraid we
must not linger," he sand, shaking his
host warmly by the hand; I'VE have
our work cut out to row to Oxford and
back to town by Saturday, sure /
must think of my companions"
"Well, at all events, come and have
breakfast with US tomorrow" said the
old gentleman, in a pleading tone.
I'VE must be several stages on our
road before your breakfast hour" he
said, as he saluted the ladies in turn.
by the by" he added. addressing MIR.
BIttleston, ''there is one small favor l
venture to ask OF you. May leave a
portmanteau here, and fetch it on our
way down on Friday or Saturday
nextp"
.'CertainIy-certainIyl'' replied the
old gentleman, promptly.
''I find we have a good many things
we shan't need, now that the weather
has set in fair,' he explained; there
are always some cooking utensils we
can dispense with. 1t is desirable to
tighten our boat, and by leaving the
portmanteau here, L shall have an extra
excuse for calling on our way back,
with polite glance az the ladies'
1--WE shall be delighted TO see you,"
said Mr.. Bittleston, ''and II you leave
the portmsnteau at the house to-mor-
row morning, il shall be taken good
care of. :"
Rev. Mark then took his departure
Next morning the party had left
when the family came down to break =
last, but the parson had entrusted the
portmanteau to one of the servants.
The following day he wrote a few lines
to Mr.. BIttleston from Reading, send
-, Of nGN n xxyh iRh "a IN
recommended one of the young ladies
to get, and begging that she would
accept 1t, as he happened TO come
across it in a music shop in the town.
The little act of politeness excited
less attention than 1t might otherwise
have done, because the letter arrived
while every one was in a great state OF
excitement. The discovery had just
been made that a large quantity OF
iewelry, plate and other articles had
been abstracted from a safe in Mr.
Bittleson's sitting-rOom.
The loss was so considerable that
Mr.. BIttleston Immediately telegraphed
to Scotland Yard, not caring to en-
trust the matter TO the local police. In
response a detective appeared upon the
scene. and made a careful inspection
OF the premises. The safe was amin
Iured, and the lock had not been tam
pered with.
at was cleverly done, but there
was no magic done" said the Inspector,
sharp-eyed little nan named Har-
diss; 1.-THE lock is a very ordinary one,
and has evidently been opened with a
key"
But who could have done it? 1 am
about the house and grounds all day,
and nobody could have got in and out
without being Observed" said Mr.
Bittleston, in great huster.
SITS a case of burglary" answered
| tie inspector. "There are no signs OF
a forcIble entrance having been effected.
but some of the windows on the ground
I door have no shutters, and may have
| been unlocked"
Then you don't suspect any OF the
| seryants?" said Mr.. Bittleston; ''In-
deed, | can answer for all of them."
"Well,' said the inspector, shrug-
ging his shoulders, 81 can't express any
| opinion at present. Have you had any
/ stranger in the house lately.
mo" said Mr. Bittleston, adding,
As be remembered the Rev. Mark
| Avery; "by the by, Clergyman dlned
/ here a night or two ago-a curate OF a
London parish. He was the only visitor
/ the last few days"
Tue inspector asked no questions
about the par5on, but Mr. BIttieson re-
| solved to make a journey by the East
end, and ascertained beyond a doubt
[ that the Rev. Mark was the person lie
represented himself to be- He had nc
| difficulty about thus, and had the salts
faction OF feeling upon his return that
he had not committed an indlscretion.
| 1t so happened that when he called
at the Rev. Mark AyeTy's address, he
met his friends vicar coming out oil
the door. Mr.. Bittleston easily ascer
tanned that the young curate had gone
on "A boating expedition to Oxford with
two companions, and this evidence
appeared quite conclusive. He made d
clumsy excuse to the vicar to account
for his solicitude, and made his way
home feeling ashamed OF himself.
The following evening Inspector Har'
diss called to report progress, and tC
ask a few further questions. Mr.. Bit
tleston was out In the garden, and The
officer joined him on the lawn.
tits a puzzle, and that's a fact,
said Hardiss, when his inquiries had
been satisfied. "I've come to the con
clusion 1t has been in the neighborhood
i .
one could have got away with the swag
without being noticed in little place
like this.n
"Where are the things thenp" in.
quired MI. Bittleston, testify.
Not very far off, L can't hell
thinking" replied the inspector; "wltl
your permission L will search the pre-
misses thoroughly, including the garrett
and cellars"
while the inspector was speaking
Mr.. Bittleson's youngest daughter,
girl of fourteen, came running acros
the lawn
Papa" she cried, isn't that MI
AyeryP He is rowing stroke In tha
boat; and he has evidently forgotten
the house, but his portmanteau i
here"
.By Jovei 1 believe 1t is Avery anC
his friends" cried Mr.. BIttleston, a
the hoat svept quickly past the law