The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-12-07
VOL. XIV NO. 3

leIC nef 10 her malu ana went uOWn 70
breakfast alone, pondering what steps /
should take 1 had hardly poured out my
coffee when Stormont came in. He held
an open letter in his hand, and seemed
quite alert and cheerful.
''G cd morning." he began eagerly.
I've heard from my sister. She is in
London; has come up on purpose to meet
me and wants me to join her to-day"
Indeed, said absently. ''Your sister
Mrs. Macdonald-in town-oh: =
Stormont looked at ME, surprised.
Anything the matter?' he said. Lady
Dennis not well?"
"Well, yes, something is the matter" "
said l. Something deucediy disagreeable
has happened. My wife's diamonds have
been stolen.
Good Lord = exclaimed Stormont.
He was SO taken aback that he literally
fell into chair and sat there staring at me-
Those diamonds p he said at last
Those splendid diamonds? have no
words. Did you lock them up?''
No" | replied, "I've been a confound-
ed fool. But the diamonds were close to
us aud We don't sleep heavily"
who do YOU suspect asked Stormont.
NO one, l said "All my servants
have been with me for long. Some one
must have been secreted in the house"
"Aud what are you going to do?" he
asked Can do anything in town? |
must 90 up by the 3;l5.
We discussed the subject all the morn
Ing. and Stormont's indignant interest was
very consolatory, aud when Lucy appeared
she was greatly cheered by his sympathy
and hopefulness. He was certain that the
rogues would be taken and the diamonds
recovered.
"You are very sanguine, said She ''You
seem quite we'll to-day, Mr.. Stormont'
Il feel much better, he replied. Joy
is fine doctor, and the expectation of see
ing my sister has made another man of me-
Then this atroeious burglary excites me to
a pitch | can't describe. Lady Dennis,
you must recover your diamonds shall
run down on Saturday to hear the news.
A talk will be so much more satisfactory
than letters.
| drove Stormont to the station. By his
advice | had not called in the local police,
but telegraphed to London for detective,
and should meet him by train which
would arrive soon after the 3:15 departed
by the way, said Stormont, as westood
waiting on the platform, about Col. l. Es-.
traUge-what was nc like
About your height, | said. Thin and
fair, with long beard and longish hair
not military-looking at all -
\ very peculiar expression came over
Stormont 5 face, and he whistled softly.
NV dear fellow, he said, that's your
burglar How these raseals get to know
things passes MY comprehension, but some
how they do. haze friend-a Col
l. Esrauge--but he is stout and extremely
dark, aud wears moustache only De-
pend upon it, that fellow hoaxeG you. l
wonder he didn't pay his attention to the
Duchess diamonds also.
SO he had \ gentleman came up at
the moment, and after shaking hands said
excitedly
Heard the news, Dennis ?"
Only my own, Shaw, | replied dis
maly MY wifes diamonds have been
stolen.
by Joyer cried Shaw, ''And the
Duchess lost twenty Of her finest diamonds
last night-cut off her dress-while the
detectives stood BY
We told him about L Estrange, and he
listened with interest.
I'VE think il Is a celebrated burglar of
the name Of Paxton, alias Grub, he said,
towering his voice That's what the po-
lice think They say no other man could
have done it.
'' thought Paxton was safely out of the
way, said Stormont "Surely | remem-
Der hearing Of him when was a lad.
Wasn't he concerned in the great diamond
robbery of Grey Towers in 90 p
He was, replied Shaw, ''but he's on
the loose again now, and the police have
been watching him. \ fortnight ago
Mrs. Howard lost her dressing bag, with
1000 worth Of Jewels in it. Paxton was
suspected and traced to Canterbury, then
gave his pursuers the slip aud disappeared.
''He has probably been lying perdu IN
the nsighborhood, said Stormont as the
train came up. Dennis, write to me at
Morley's if | can help you in the least.
Az reroir till Saturday Thank yon be-
yond words for all your kindness.
That evening as We sat at dinner Mr..
Stormon, was announced rushed out.
But the Stormont who stood before me,
with Edgar Arrowsmith 5 letter in his hand,
was not the man who had gone to town
that afternoon. In moment | had real
lied the truth Stormont the first was
Paxton the burglar.
Certainly very uncommon thing had
happened at last, and when Paxton was
caught it all came out-how he had robbed
Mrs Howard, and, hiding in my grounds,
and heard Lucy read her brothers letter
as Col L Estrange, under
cover of my introduction, he had robbed
the Duehess--how, as he stood on the
platform talking Of the burglary, the Du-
chess diamonds aud Luey's We're actually
on his person There was no doubt that
Paxton had been superlatively clever, and
in my admiration for his talents and my
sorrow that they were put to such i'll uses,
forgave his chucking over his delight at
having .'gammoned that fool Sir Francis
Nv dear wife never sighs for extraordi-
nary events now; We both think we have
had enough Of them. We are as happy as
ever, for burglars cannot take away love
and children and good health and sweet
temper But We are happy minus the
diamonds, for Paxton got them abroad
before he was caught | wanted to give
Lucy some more, but she wouldn't let me-
Il couldn bear the responsibility again,
she said. "Give them by and by to Baby's
wife
As for the Duke he never wearies Of
chatting me, and calling me Col. l. Es-
TRANCE 5 confederate.
0ftentimes | have seen tall ship Gid
ing against the tide as if drawn by some
invisible bowlne, with a hundred strong
arms pulling it. Her sails were untitled,
her Streamers were dropping, she had neith-
er side wheel nor stern wheel; still she
moved on stately, in serene triumph, as
with her own life. But | knew that on
the other side of the ship, hidden beneath
the grea; bulk that swan so majestically,
there was a little toilsome steamtug, with
heart of fire and arms of iron, that was
tuggipuit bravelv on and | knew If the