The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-05-03

ly, meditatively; then, suddenly rails
ing his eyes, he stared intently into
Sir Lewis Mallaby's face and almost as
quickly dropped them again.
This Is far too valuable" he said.
courteously, too much of treasure.
TO be rislled in any conjuriug trick.
An ordinary modern watch might re-
place, but not 4 work Of art like this
And he handed it back TO Sir Lewis,
who received it with iu-coucealcd sat
isfaction. He was as much pleased.
probably. ut Jacks expression of pos
sible failure in the proposed trick rs
At the recovery of his property.
Another watch, however, was pound
cd into Jelly and brought out whole
from a cabinet in an adjoining room.
'-Oh, bat it is too preposterous," Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard 20 say, quite
angriIy. The continued applause pro-
/ fOundly Disguised him. This Is the
merest charlatanism- 1t must be put
an end to. IL Is the commonest i'm
posture. These are things which no
/ has coached up in advance. Let him
be tried with something which upon
the face OF 1t he can not have learned
beforehand by artificial means"
Try him, Sir Lewis, try him your
self" cried several voices.
II scarcely like to lend myself to
such folly or encourage so pitiable an
exhibition"
But he seemed TO be conscious that
further protest would be in jacks ia
vor; so he said: Can you tell what |
have in fbiG ,nncl-a+ II. IL
left breast of his coat.
"a pOcket-book'
''Bahl Every one carries pocket
book in his pocket"
- But do youP" asked several Of the
bystanders, all OF whom were grow
ing deeply interested in this strange
duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he
did, and produced it-an ordinary mo-
rocco leather purse and pocket-boo all
in one.
Are you prepared to go on?" said
the Baronet, haughtily, to Jack.
Certainly"
What does this pocket-book con-
tain?'
Evidence"
Evidence or what?"
"Of facts that must, sooner or later,
come TO light"
What ridiculous nonsense, give
you my word this pocket-book contains
nothing-absolutely nothing-but a
Bank of England note for one hundred
pounds"
Stay" said Jack Newbiggin, facing
him abruptly and speaking in voice
OF thunder at is not so-you know
tit is only the halfr'
And as he spoke he took the pocket
book from the hands of the really stu
pefied Baronet and exhibited fer in
spection-the half of a Bank of En-
gland note for one hundred pounds.
There was much applause at this
harmless and successful denouement OF
what threatened at one stage To lead
to alteration, perhaps to a quarrel.
But Jack Newbiggin was not satisfied
LAS you have dared me to do my
worst" said he, "listen now TO what
have to say. Not only did l know
that was only the half of a note, but /
know where the oth6r half is TO be
found"
80 much the better for me-" said
the Baronet, with an effort to appear
humorous.
THAT other half was given to
shall say. Sir Lewis?''
Sir Lewis nodded indiferently
1T was given to one Hester Corri-
gan, an old nurse, six years ago.
''Silencei Say no more" cried Sir
Lewis, in horror.
Sir Lewis had been younger son;
the eldest inherited the family title.
but died early, leaving his widow to
give him q posthumOus heir, the title
remaining in allegiance until time
showed whether the infant was boy
or girl. 1t proved to be boy,
whereupon Lewis Mallaby, who had
the first information of the fact. put
into execution a nefarious project
which he had carefully concocted in
advance a girl was obtained in a
foundling hospital and substituted by
Lady Maliaby's nurse, who was in
Lewis pay, for the newly-born son
and heir. This son and heir was
handed over TO another accomplice,
Hester Corrigan, who was bribed with
tlOo, hall down, iii the shape of q
half-note, the other half to be paid
when she announced her safe arrival
In Texas with the stolen child. 1t oc-
Cured to Mrs. COrrigan in her transit
between London and Liverpool that
though fl00 would be acceptable on
her arrival tho child would be only
an lncumbrance- She therefore throw
the basket containing him out of the
window, forgetting that in it she had
for safety deposited her purse
1t was the watch borrowed from
Sir Lewis Mallaby which first aroused
Jack . suspicious Il bore the same
crest-two hammers crossed, with the
motto: Il strike" - which was
marked upon the linen of the child
that Dan Blocl1itt picked up at Kirk
hngton station. The initial of the
name Mallaby coincided with the
monogram II. L. NJ From these
facts and what he had been told by
Mrs Sitwell, Jack rapidly drew his
conclusions, and made a bold shot,
which hit the mark, as we have seen.
Lewis Mallaby's confession, COM
bined with that of Mrs. Corrigan,
who was found by the police, soon re-
instated the rightful heir, and Dan
Blockitt, in after years, had no reason
to regret the generosity which had
prompted him to give the little fond.
ling the shelter of his rude home
London ZYd-Bits. -A---,>,