Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-10-23
MHEE$;ptNlfRS JEWELS
IN ANONYMOUS FoUEl
~ WPi1p is Told TbrilliDe StoH
Of Bafled Crime.

L lAou5ut COuIO uOt w W. bus /
vas worth a trial" said Charles, shaking
himself. George, look after the horse
and cart. and take them straight back.
Now. Ralph, we must run for it, if we
mean to catch the train. Middleton, you
had better go back in the cart" And off
they set, plunging through the snow
without further ceremony. l watched
the two dark figures disappearing, aghast
with astonishment. They were posi-
lively leaving me behind.
In a moment my mind was made up.
and, leaving the gasping young groom
to look after the horse and cart, I set off
to run, too. It was only a chance, of
course. but in this weather the train
might be late. 1t was all the way down
hill. l thought I could do it and l did.
My feet were bailed with snow; l was
hotter than l had been for years; I was
completely out Of breath, but when !
| pulled into the little roadside station,
five minutes after the train was due, l
could see that it was not yet in and that
Ralph and Charles We're waiting on the
platform.
My word, Middleton said Charles,
coming to meet me, 81 thought l had
seen the last of you when l left you re-
Ginning on George in the drift. l do
believe you have got yourself into this
| state of fever heat purely to be of use to
us two, and l treated you very cavalier
ly, l am sure. Let bygones be bygones,
and let us shake hands while you are in
this melting mood"
Icould not speak, but we shook hands
cordially and I hurried off to get my
ticket.
"You can only book to Marlborough"
he called after me, where we change
and catch the London express"
The station master gave me my ticket
and then approached Charles and
touched his cap.
might any of you gentlemen be 60
ing to London, sir" he inquired.
"All three of u.s."
II don't think you will get on, sir.
The news came down this morning that
the evening express from Marlborough
last night was thrown off the rails by a
drift and got knocked about, and l don't
expect the line is clear yet. There will
be no trains running till later in the
day, l am afraid"
"The night express!" said Ralph sud-
denly.
"Do you mean the 8 train, which you
can catch by the 500 from hereT'
Yes, sir"
"She was In it'll" said Ralph, in a
hoarse voice. as the nan walked away.
How late the train is" said Charles;
quarter of an hour already. l say,
Jervis," calling after him. 'any partic-
ulars about the accident? Serious?'
"Oh, dear no, sir. not to my knowl.
edge. Never heard Of anything but
that the train had been upset and had
stopped traffic"
Not many people travelling in such
weather at any rate. 1 daresay there
was not a creature who went from here
by the last train last nightY
"Only two, sir. One of the young
gentlemen from the rectory and a young
lady, who was very late, poor thing,
and all wet with snow. All! there she
is at last" IS the train came in sight.
and he went through the ceremony of
ringing the bell, although we We're the
only travellers on the platform.
It was only an hours run to Tar.
borough. where we were to join the main
line.
what are we to do now:'' said Charles
as the chimneys of Marlborough hove in
sight, and the train slackened. Ten to
one we shall not be able to get on tc
London
"Nor she either.." said Ralph. 81 shall
see her! shall see her herei'
There was al air of excitement about
the whole station as we drew up before
the platform. Groups Of railway off
cials We're clustered together, talking
/ eagerly; the bar1naids We're all looking
out of the refreshment room door; pc
licemen were stationed here and there
and outside the iron gates of the station
a little crowd of people We're waiting
in the trodden yellow snow, peerins
through the bars.
We got out, and Charles went up to s
respectable looking man in black, evi
IDENTIFY an official of some consequence
and asked what was the matter. Tit
man informed him that a special hat
been sent down the line with workner
to clear the rails, and that its return
with the passengers in the i'll fated ex
press, was expected at any moment.
You don't mean to say the wretchet
passengers have been there all night?'
exclaimed Charles. From the mans &C
count it appeared that the travellers hai
taken refuge in o farm near the scene O
the accident, and the snow storm con
tinuing very heavily, 1t had not beer
thought expedient to send a train down
the line to bring them away till afte'
davhreak. :.'It has been gone an hnnr-'
ne said looking at the clock; and 1t
hardly 8 yet. Considering how late W
received notice Of the accident-for th
news had to travel by night and on foo
for a considerable distance-Id don't thinl
there has been much delay"
Twill all the passengers come back b,
this trainT' asked Ralph.
Yes, SIR"
i I'VE viii wait!" said Ralph; and b
went and paced up and down the mos
deserted part of the platform. The ma,
followed him with his eyes.
Anxious about friends, sir?!" he asket
Charles.
YES" l heard Charles say as I wen
off to warm myself by the waiting ROOF
fire, keeping a sharp lookout for the Ar
rival OF the train. When I came GU
some time later, wondering if it wer,
ever going to arrive at all, I found
Charles and the man in black walking
up and down together. evidently il
earnest conversation. When l JOINED
them they ceased talking q never cal
imagine why people generally do whel
| come up, and the latter said that b,
would make inquiry at tho bookin!
Office, and left us.
who is that mani" l asked.
"How should / know said Charles
sbsently. He says he has been a Lon
don detective till just lately, but he i
an inspector Of police now. WellT' a.
the man returned.
booking clerk can tremember. sir; bu
, the clerk at the telegraph office remem
! beers a young lady leaving a telegram
last night, to be sent on first thing thi
morning"
HAS it been sent YETI
"Yes, sir; some time"
where was it sent top
THAT is against the rules, sir. Tn,
clerk has no right to give information
Anyhow it is as good a certain from
I / what vor, cay that tho parfy rao in m.