Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-01-03

floor. mo, not you; nor you. Sarah;
nor you, Jakey'' he ran through
all their names.
They had now ceased their gam
bols and were staring hard at their
visitors--the moment was propitious;
Jack Newbiggin began. He had
fortunately filled his pockets with
nuts, oranges and cakes before leaving
the parsonage, so he had half his ap-
paratus ready in hand.
The pretty boy had very soon left
the father at the fire and had come
over to join in the fun. going back.
however, to exhibit his share of the
spoil and describe voluminously what
had occurred. This and the repeated
shouts of laughter seemed to produce
some impression on him. Presently
he looked over his shoulder and said,
but without animation:
ut is very good of you, sir. surely;
very good for you to take SO kindly to
the little chicks. It does them good
to laugh bit, but it amt much as
they've had to make 'em lately"
1T is good for all of us now and
again, l take it," said Jack, desisting
and going towards him, the children
gradually collecting in a far off corner
and comparing notes.
''You can't laugh. sir. if your heart
heavy; if you do it can be only a
sham"
While he was speaking he had taken
the Bible from the shelf, and resum-
ing his seat began to turn the leaves
over.
I'm an untaught rough country
man, sir, but have heard tell that
these strange things you do are only
tricks; amt it sop
Here was indeed hopeful symptom.
He was reused then to take some in
terest in what had occurred.
"All tricks, of course; it all comes
of practice" said Jack, as he proceed
ed to explain some of the simple proc
esses, hoping to enchain the mans at
tentiOn.
That's what thought, sir. or I'd
have given you a job to do. I've been
in want of a real conjuror many a long
day, and nothing less'll do. See here,
sir" he said, as he took small, care
fully-folded paper from between the
leaves of the Bible, do you see this?''
1t was half Bank of England note
for flOO.
"How, sir, CO uld any conjuror help
me to the other half?''
"How did you come by it," asked
Jack at once.
"Fll tell you, sir, short as l can
make it. Conjuror or no conjuror,
you've got kindly heart, and I'm
main sure that you'll help if you can. "
Dan then described how he had picked
up the basket from the 10:45 Liverpool
express.
There was the linen; I've kept it.
See here; all marked quite pretty and
proper, with lace round the edge s, as
though its mother loved to make Jle
little one smart"
Jack examined the linen; it bU,e q
monogram and crest The first he
made out to mean H. L. NJ, and the
crest was plainly two hammers crossed,
and the motto: Il strike mot COM
mon crcst-and he never remembered
to have seen it before.
And was that all?
"'Cept the bank note. That was in
poor old purse with a pawn-ticket
and thimble. kept them all"
Like true detective Jack examined
every article infinitely. The purse
bore the name Hester Gorrigan, in rude
letters inside. and the pawn-ticket was
made out in the same name.
THE SECOND HALF.
When Jack Newbiggin got back to
the parsonage he found that his host
had accepted an invitation for them
both to dine at the big House," as
it was called, the country seat of the
squire of the parish.
"Ihav.. been fighting your battles
all day." began Mrs. Sitwell, the host
ess, when seated at dinner next to
Jack.
"Was it necessary? l should have
thought myself too insignificant.
They were talking at lunch of your
wonderful tricks in conjuring. and
some one said that the skill might
prove inco nvenient-when you played
cards, for instance.
"A charitable imputation; with
whom did it originated"
"Sir Lewis Mallaby."
please point him out to me-"
He was shown a grave, scow. ing
face upon the right of the hostess-a
face like mask, the surface rough
and wrinklcd. through which the eyes
shone With baleful light. like corpse
candles in n sepulcher.
Jack let his companion chatter on.
1t was his habit to get all the infor-