Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-30


 with his back to the door, but at my en- trance rose with an assumption of ease drew back. "Why? will you desert me too?' he muttered, his face working pite ously. Will you betray me? Then, my God! am lost!" and he flung himself upon the sofa in paroxysm of terror. Every moment was of priceless value. This conspirator. indeed. l had no patience witt, him. "Give them to mel' cried imperatively, desperately. II have another plan. Do you heart"
 He heard. but he did not believe me. He was sure that my courage had failed me at the last moment. But-and let this be written on his side of the ac- count-he gave me the papers: it may be i'll pure generosity, it may be because he had not the spirit to resist.
 Armed with them ran on deck almost as quickly as had descended. l found the position of things but slightly changed. The police boat was now alongside. The officer in command, attended by two or three subordi- mates, was coming up the ladder. Close to the gangpay Sleigh was stand ing, evidently waiting for this group.
 
 also, for had scarcely emerged from the latter when he stepped up to me.
 Have you changed you mind, gov ernor? Are you going to buy him off" he muttered, looking askance at me as I still moved forward with him by my side.
 My answer took him by surprise. No, senor, no !" exclaimed loudly and re- peatedly-so loudly that the attention of the group at the gangway was drawn to- wards us. When l saw that this was effected, stepped hastily in front of Sleigh. and before he had any clear notion of what was doing, was at the officers side. "Sir," I said, raising my hat, do you speak French?'
 "Parfaitement, monsieur" he answer ed, politely returning my salute.
 ''I am an Englishman, and I wish to lay an information" said, speaking in French, and pausing there that might look at Sleigh. As had expected, he did not understand French His baffled He tried to interrupt me, but the cour- teous official waved him aside.
 "This man here who is trying to shut my mouth is q smuggler of foreign watches" Presumed rapidly. He has them about him now, and is going to take them ashore. They are in a number of pockets made for the purpose in the lining of his coat. am connected with the watch trade, and my firm will give ten pounds re- ward to any one who will capture and prosecute him."
 II understand" replied the officer. And, turning to Sleigh, who, shut out from the knowledge of what was going forward, was fretting and fuming in a fever of distrust, he addressed some words to him. He spoke in Spanish and quickly, and could not understand what he said. That it was to the point, however, the engineers face betrayed. It fell amazingly on the instant, and he cast a vengeful glance at me.
 That which followed was ludicrous enough. My heart was beating fast, but could not suppress smile as Sleigh, clasping the threatened coat about him, backed from the police. He poured out q torrent of fluent Spanish, and emphati- cally denied, it was clear, the charge; but, alas! he cherished the coat-at which the police were making tentative dives-overmuch for an innocent man with no secret pockets about him.
 His No. senor, nor his "Por dios!' and "Madre de Dios!" and the rest. were breath wasted. At a sign from the now grim looking officer two of the policemen deftly seized him, and in twinkling, notwithstanding his resistance. had the thick coat off him ,r>I 1tc oc l the turn of the bystanders to cry, "Madre de Dios!' as from pocket upon pocket came watch after watch, until five dozen lay in sparkling rows upon the deck. | could see that there were those among the ships company besides the culprit who gazcd at mo with little favor, but the eyes of the police officer twinkled with qualification as each second added to the rich prize. And that was enough 1 for me.
 Still knew that all was not done yet, and watched keenly what was passing. Sleigh, taken into custody, had desisted from his disjointed prayers and oaths. perceived, however, that he was telling a long story, of which I could make out little more than the word "In- | glese'' repeated moro than once It was his turn now. If he had not un- derstood my French, neither could I understand his Spanish. And no. ticed that the officer. as the story rolled on, looked at me doubtfully. I judged that the crisis had come and interfered "May beg to know, sir, what he says?' 1 asked courteously.
 "He tells me a strange story, Mir. Eng lishman," was the answer; and tho speaker eyed mo with curiosity but not unfavorably. He says that Morrissey the villainous Englishman-your pardon who was at the bottom of the affair o last Sunday, has had the temerity to re turn to the scene of his crime, and is o, this vessel"
 shrugged my shoulders. "A strang, story, indeed!' answered. "But it i for monsieur to do his duty. I am tn only Englishman on board, as the stew ard will inform you; and for me, permi l me to hand YOU my papers, Your pris