The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-25

|
court"
you don't want to be hard on a pore
man, guv'nor," uaurnured Bill, not IN
mindful that an attendance at the central
criminal court would materially interfere
with bis own en8agefnents
Il think, considering what a sad bungfe
you have made Of this very simple bust
ness, that need not regard you as a very
formidable offender said the elderly gen
tleman, with cheerful benevolence
I've had all my trouble for nothink;
that is true enough" replied Bill, more
chagrined by his failure than he cared to
show.
Yes; you have no cause to feel elated,
and as you justly remarked 1ast now, you
have done me no harm. suppose I may
take it that everything is there" said the
host delicateiy, as hc glanced at the sack
IF you would like to satAsfy yourself,
guvnor''-began Bill, in rather an ag-
grieved tone.
az should, " interposed his host briskly,
''if should not be giving you too much
trouble"
Without more ado Bill adroitly unfast-
ened the month of the sack and shook the
green bai1e bags out upon the carpet, the
elderly gentleman gazing through his
spectacles with an expression of mild in
terest
Dear mer' he said, pleasantly, ''you
made q pretty good haul, didn't you?
What is thabr' he added. pointing with his
foot to one of the parcels.
II expect that is the silver teapot, guv-
nor" said Bill, with a touch Of profess
sional pride.
He opaned the green baize bag at the
same moment and drew forth-a fatiron,
For a single instant Bill sat motionIess,
transfxed with establishment, staring
blankly at the unexpected object which he
held In his hand; then with frightening
color he abruptly seized one bag, and then
another, rapidly emptying their contents
on the carpet. In a short time the room
was strewn with remarkable variety of
! homogeneous articles-dum bbells, broken
| pieces Of metal, a few pewter and plated
spoons and forks, and even, browning hui
initiation, half brickbat! The elderly
| gentleman seemed scarcely less indignant
| than his companion, and he broke the en-
barrassing silence by saying sharply:
This won't do, my friend. 1t is clever,
but it won't do. Oblige me by touching
| the bell at your elbow"
tits plant" cried Bill, with violence,
which left no doubt of his sincerity
| "A plantr' repeated his host, eying him
severely. "Do you mean to say that you,
! professional burglar, seriously believed
that these things represented the contents
of my plate chestS"
II was took in, guv'nor; regular rotted,
and no kid" said Bill, with abject frank
ness.
Really! Is it possible!" exclaimed his
host, In tone Of mingled s1fprise and
contempt which fairly made BilI's blood
boil. What do you mean" he added,
after moments pause.
THE party who put them things there
has got your silver plate, guv'nor," said
Bill energetically.
'',rhe party! What party?"
Glow do know9" returned Bill, whose
temper was thoroughly reused. Il didn't
put them there"
Il have had my suspicious for a long
time that my butler, Jenkins, is dishonest"
said the elderly gentleman abruptly.
NOW, frankly, what do you shink"
1T do look queer, don't it, guv'nor"
said Bill who felt quite virtuously indig
nant.
Come, my friend, it strikes me that
we are fellow sufferers az the hands of
Jenkins, 50 ask your unbiased opinion
Doesn't it look to you as though Jenkins,
having appropriated my plate designed to
conceal the robbery and escape scot fr~e
by-aheml-a little r7,se9' insinuated the
elderly gentleman. knowingly.
HE wouldn't dare. He would know
I'd wiring his neck" cried Bill ferceiy.
RI was surprised TO learn from my house
keeper that he had gone into the country.
l. - -. al
pleasantuese, said the host, smiling.
Curse hiznl I'll follow him wherever
he's gone," exclaimed Bill, rendered fu-
rious by tbs conviction shat he had been
imposed upon.
Perhaps you might assist me to get my
property back" suggested the elderly gen
tleman hopefully.
"Werl see about that, guy'nor. Wait
till 1 come up, that's all" uIuttered Bill
between hts teeth, rising unSteadily.
Shall Inform the police" inquired his
host.
No, guv'nor, leave it to me-" said Bill,
with an oath you've treated me like a
gentleman, and I'll act On the square by
you. If l can't get your property III let
you know"
It is 70 be feared that opr fr+snd did not
ise, but the elderly gentleman scanned TO
entertain no misgfvings upon the point,
and was profuse in bis expressions of salts
faction. BE insisted upon giving Bill his
card. which bore his name and an address
in the city to which communications were
to be sent. and showed hts visitor out by
the front door, with many assurances that
he would be well rewarded Tor his services.
p;1l rzoS hop NJ v in a eOHkftTion of mind RI
rejoice as be otherwise might 1t recover
ing bis liberty, for between the huEnilia-
ton a. the ignoDinious failure Of bis prom
ising enterprise and wrath st the treschery
of Mr.. Jenkins bis worst passions were
aroused. BRs be nevertheless felt i'm
nsassly relieved 70 escape from the pres
once of the elderly gentleman, who had
contrived to inspire him vita sentiments
of awe sud respects, which were very CALLING
10 his salf estseR.
It was indeed g savage satisfaction TO
our friend 10 be able to divers his thoughts /
from tbs Degrading renirisesnee Of his re
cent interview By planning schemes ofven |
geanos against Mr. Jenkins
With this ebsact therefore be betook |
himself early on ito following morning TO /
an obscure eGsa end tavern, where he had /
arranged to meet Mr. jenkins on the NUT
row of the Ill starred eseerprise. OF course /
be did not fer 9 moment expect that the 4
butler would keep che appointment, but /
he desired to Obtain a clewt 70 bis enemy's /
hiding place for the purpose of tracing +
him. But while ke was cautiously making !
inquiries at the bar the door opened, and /
Mr.. Jenkins entered "a coolly as though 4
nothing bad happened
Bill thoughs IL prudent to dissemble his 1
surArise and nrss.aptlH the two were clos