The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-16

politely; "aud IL may mako 50 free, repeat
again you ought 90 be one Of us"
The Colonel did not at all resent Mr.. Saw
ders freedom. He was particularly pleased
| with him aud his stories, and in the fulness Of
his heart he told him he was going down 20 his
club for half an hour, and would be charmed
TO give him n lift.
/ Mr. Sawder was quite sensible Of the COlOneIs
condescunsion, and accepted the offer with ctu-
sion. Having arranged with Mrs. Walsingham
that she was TO come down TO Scotland Yard
the following morning. he went Of with the
| Colonel into the adj joining room, waiting there
/ while this gentleman got ready TO 20 out. This
room was sort OF sauctum of Colonel Wall
singham, and while he drew on his gloves, he
passed In review his collection Of firearms aud
other objects Of war-like predictions
The detective seemed a hit of a connoisscHr,
and his enthusiasm was sufficiently dashed with
discriminating knowledge 10 he particularly
/ pleasing TO tho Colonel, who actually doigned
! 10 bring ont from cavenous cupboard his
latest extravaganza, to wit, a handsome fur
/ lined coat be had recently imported from Rus
/ STA.
What do you think Of thatf" he asked.
Think" said the detective; why, that
/ it's Tot a thing 10 be left in the hall"
Rather not" laughed the Colonel; we
! keep il la the cupboard in this room. Why,
! that coat cost me 80 guineas!"
1T looks as ii 10 had, /" said the detective
warmly. and The Colonel being now ready, the
/ two gentlemen got Into their hansome aud
! drove Of,
IL was scarcely half an hour afterward that
/ there was hasty pail at the door bell. Mrs
| Malsingham was tired, aud had gone 10 bed,
/ and the household had followed her example
! The butler alone WAS still un busy with the
silver IN his pantry.
why, masters forgotten his latch keyl" he
r-f4sI st,.. 1lgrply
he's come back 80 early"
But it was not Col Walsingham who stood in
] the dOOrway--it was Mr.. Sawder.
Sorry 10 trouble You, my man." he said,
/ speaking very fast and Slipping shilling into
Bailey's hand, but left some most important
/ papers behind me- which j was showing 10
Colonel and Mrs. Nalsingham. Will you give
/ them to me 2"
Papers sir2 haven't seen any"
But they must lie here" cried Mr.. Sawder,
/ looking very worried. +" The fact isl dRr,say
/ Mrs Walsiugham told you-these papers have
/ 10 do with the EuutOn Court robbery. We
nabbed the mau AID the swag this afternoon,
aud the owners coming up tomorrow. So you
see tho papers are awfully important"
"Of course, they must be, said the butler,
unbcndng from his solemn dignity on tho in
slant Well, III just light taper and see if
they are anywhere IN the dinng-room. 1 may
have overlooked them, but i don't think j
havep
The detective followed him into the dining
room and helped IN the search, but no papers
were TO be found, aud he grew more and more
anxious.
II tell you what it u.s." he began in vexed
tone, Mrs WalsiUgham must have noticed
them directly SIC had gone, aud, knowing their
Importance must have locked them up some
where. Now, II you can get them FOR me to-
night I'll not forget you"
Baiiey's kindness, or his affection for the
prospective coin, made him consent, after
little demur, 10 do what he could.
" Pl 20 upstairs aud call up one Of the women
servants he said, aud then send her 10 ask
Mrs Walsiugham. I'm shout up 10 the under
/ hOusemaid," he added 4" she'll come like wink
/ ing when she hears my voice"
IL took longer 10 get tho housemaid 10 come
1 down, however, than the butler had anticipated,
! but az last she bad gone of on her embassy, aud
had brought her mistress's answer TO Bailey,
patiently waiting on tue upper landing.
I'm sorry, sir" he began, as he descended
! the last fight Of stairs, but Mrs. Wasingham
\ hasn't seen your papers,"
! Then he stopped short The rosy tints fed
4 from his well-uour7hed face, and n bilious hue
took possession Of that broad expanse.
The street-doOT open, and Mr. Sawder
/ had disappeared.
"A DO" murmurod Bailey family; "a
/ real, old do
! JIG thought Of his plate and almost brcathed
again as he remembered that he had deposited
/ il in the p,atG-thest aud turned the key before
/ he had let the InsidIous stranger in.
Depend upon II, he's only gone off with
masters umbrella" he said, trying to reassure
/ himself
The next moment he struck his hands wildly
together, and rushed into the Colonel's study.
/ When he came back he was perfectly green.
/ The CCl0uel's fur coat, for which be had paid
eighty guineas only few weeks back, was no.
/ where 10 be found
The officials Of Scotland Yard next morning
listened with polite attention 10 Colonel Wal.
singham's account Of what had happened.
ciean-shayCn man, with gray eyes, you
ssy2"
Yes" was the answer "He gave the name
Of Sawdcr-Ercd SaWacr."
=" Fred Sawder! The man was James Croft.
alias Sleepy Jim the cievcrest rogue IN the
United Kingdom aud as slippery as an eel /
am afraid you viii never sec your coat again,
sir"
And he was right for the Colonel never did
But one result OF his little experience was that
be completely changed his views Of criminals.
Ut Is not that the public is so stupid lac
was often heard 10 say; 1T is those scamps
who are 50 horribly ClcYer."-Thc ArgOSy