Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-14

figure muttered. "But what an escape for me! What Q cover to this little affair of
 mine! Itcouldn't have happened better if I'd had the planning"
 The loss to the express company proved
 to be a heavy one, and the story of the messenger regarding the first assault pro- duced but little effect, though the clearing out of the car brought unexpected con hrmation of his tale. A square sufficiently largo to admit Q mans body had been cut through the bottom of the car, leaving the boards so carefully fitted into it that 8 cas- ual inspection would not betray the fact. It was Ike who made tho discovery and inn parted 1t to Bergman.
 Looks like your No. One had put up . carefuller job than the gang what follered him. It beats tho deuce! Why, that ar chap must nave rode through on the truck and watched his chance to get you alone, then popped up through that hole and got back again, and like as not dropped quietly down and made away when the second lot of rob bers took the train. What do you make out of it, Bergman! Do you reckon that the
 cream of tho skimmin' was in that ar one package he took. It don't seem nateral
 that any common thief should go over Q gold brick and 8 thousand dollars in jew elry and moro in cash for one bit of pack age unless 1t was worth @ sight,-any ways
 to him. Pity you don't know tho address it had on it."
 'But l do know Something-I don't
 know what-impressed it on my memory"
 "I know what I'd do if I was in your shoes, then" said Ike "I'd go to the party 1t was intended for and tell him all about it.
 Enc express company isn't going to coax h1m to come down on them for the vally of
 1t by giving him notice of it's loss, and they're all taken up in the hunt after the other gang. 0 lFn hot straight moneys worth, but something of
 as much or may be moro concern to them
 that's interested in it, and I'd give them the chance to got on tho track of the thief while it's fresh. Looks to me like the square way of doing it'' "
 II believe you are right, Ike," said Berg
 man, thoughtfully, and it was in accord ance with this view of the case that he made
 his way the following evening to the ad- dress which he carried in his mind. It was growing late, for he had been obliged to
 wait until his working hours werc over. It was an unknown locality to him, the street quiet one branching on from one of the
 main avenues, and not so well lighted, so that he had some difficulty in determining the location of the number he sought. Once or twice, as he stopped to study the num- bers, he glanced back, thinking he heard
 footsteps and expecting to soc some ono ap- proach, though no one appeared; but now, as he made out the right figures over the door of 8 house which stood little back from the sidewalk, some one did come hasti- ly up at his back, and turning from the street at the same instant with himself mounted the steps at his side. dolng ina" queried this new conner, fum- bling in his pocket, apparently for a key.
 "Yes, if, as suppose, Mir. Childer lives here."
 Clam Lyman Childer. Haven't seen you
 before, somewherel"
 "Really, don't think you'd know for all
 the chance you have of seeing me here," thought Bergman, uppleasantly affected by
 the brusque tones of the other; but he gave
 his name, and was surprised to find 1t im- mediately recognized.
 'The express messengeri Have you brought package for me, sira"
 II have not, butit is with reference to that have come."
 "Explain yourself, please" "1 will, ]" more and more displeased by the
 manner of the other. 'sThe package was
 stolen, in so strange way that thought it best to let you know the exact circumstances attending it's loss. If you choose to listen here will make the matter short" Briefly he related the circumstances at
 tending it's loss, the other listening until the
 sound of withdrawing bolts within made
 him start. With a muttered excuse, he
 darted down the steps, and hurried away,
 while the opening door disclosed a young
 man equipped for the street, who paused at
 the sight of the messenger, lingering on the steps.
 Did you wish to see me, sir," he in-
 Quired.
 'I had business with MT. Childer, who has just left me-" explained Norris Berg man.
 'Mr. Childer?' in Q puzzled tone ssI
 wasn't aware l had 8 namesake-at my
 very door. too. Are you quite sure that
 you have not made mistakea My name Is
 Lyman Childcr"
 A feeling of consternation, mingled with chagrin, swept over the express messenger. He realized instantly that he had been
 duped; there was that about the man be-
 fore him that gave him confidence in his
 truth, had not the nasty manner in which
 the other decamped stamped his preten-
 sions with suspicion.
 '1 am afraid I have been an idiotp' he
 exclaimed, ruefully If you will give me
 moment to explain-'
 "As many as you like, if you will step in
 eide"
 Bergman followed him through the lighted hall, into 8 small apartment bearing litter of masculine traps which stamped it as 8 60AVA0AAAAA OoAAOAAAk-AOOAAi 0Au tu0Eo ulau0
 his explanation. Lyman Childer treated
 the matter lightly.
 "I am not looking for any valuable com.
 modity," he said. "In fact, haven't the
 faintest idea what the package could con- tain. It strikes me that my counterfeit is 8 little oil his base Got the notion proba- bly that the thing is worth moro than is at
 all likely to prove the case should it ever
 turn up."
 "Do you propose, then, to take no steps toward it's recovery"
 "1 don't know about that. Of course I've my own curiosity. What would you advise mo to do about iti"
 ''Trace out the sender in the first in-
 stance. The package came from Round Rock, Tex. That may be clue to you re- garding it's nature"
 "Don't know a soul there," declared Ly-
 man Childer, still lightly. "Uron my word,
 believe you have as much il lterest in tho matter as have"
 Norris Bergman colored, and felt abashed. "I don't know why it should take SO strong . hold on me. The mere fact that the
 thief should single it from 50 many others that on their face would seem more of . v,v{10 l~ (