The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1891-11-27
BROWNS GREAT PERIL.

POTtnan Brown was a prosperous,
elderly gentleman, OF quiet ways and
dxed habits. A small circle of famil-
Tar friends supplied all his social
needs. lie concerned himself little
with the rest of humanity, belonging
TO the class who can live side by side
IN the same street with a fellow
creature all their lives without so
much as knowing them by sight.
Among Mr.. Browns fixed habits
was a yearly tour. But he did not
take it, like most people, in the sum-
ner months, but in the early spring.
Regularly as the first week in March
came round he went abroad. a COM
mon-place tour, in beaten tracks, fol-
lowing the usual routine of travel in
steamers and trains and lodging at
palatial hotels. No adventure had
ever broken the uneventful record of
these tours for over q quarter of a
century; no more exciting incident
than an unusual overcharge at some
hotel had come within Portman
Browns personal experience.
In IS, when March came around,
ne made the usual preparations for
his yearly tour in his usual way. On
the evening before his departure an
old city friend, Goldsmith, dined with
him at his house in Harley street
When about to leave Goldsmith drew
= small case from his pocket.
al brought this with mo on the
chance that you were going 10 Cannes.
You will do me n great favor by Civ
ing it into my brothers hands there.
It contains - brilliant of such rare
value that could intrust it to few.
It will give you no trouble, being so
small; there is no risk, as no one will
know you have such thing with
you."
Anything to oblige a friend" said
Brown lightly. al would take the
Kohinoor as Il travelling companion
under the same circumstances"
The two meu were standing at the
study window, the blind of which hap
pened to be up. While in the act OF
placing the case in his pocket Brown
eyes wandered to the street. At the
moment the light from n lamp in front
of the door struck on the lace of a
man who was passing; or had he been
standing there-a peculiar, dark face,
with straight black whiskers.
The man moved on. Brown drew
back hastily.
None of your people knew that
you were giving me this commission?"
he inquired of Goldsmith.
Not a soul, my dear fellow; the
matter is entirely between you and
me. My clerk alone knows of the
existence of the brilliant"
What is he like3"
Like you-like mel Responsibility
itself What are you thinking orb
HAS he black whiskersf"
"Gray as q badger-white event
But bless my soul what is the matter1
What do you meant Have you seen
IA man was standing there by the
lamppodt as you handed me the jewel
case. He was apparently looking at
as and might have heard what we
said"
Then he must be in the street
STILL" said Goldsmith, throwing up
the window and putting his head out.
Brown did the same. The night was
bright. Not soul was to be seen
anywhere; the street was quite desert
ed.
"a neighbor or n neighbours butler.
BE had gone int some house" Gold
smith withdrew from the window. "In
any case, no one could have heard,
nor, ! should think, have seen US.
As for my clerk, Travers, | boast my
self an honest man, but don't hest.
tate to acknowledge that he is the
honester of the two. Your i'm
Agination is playing your tricks.
didn't know you were gwen that way
perhaps you would rather not take
charge of the brilliant"
But Brown would not hear OF this.
Already shamefaced over his hasty
and somewhat ridiculous suspicious
he dismissed them abruptly.
"Not for worlds would give up the
charge" he said. ''I'm not such a tool
80 seem. The man probably is one
Of the new neighbors; there are great
many newcomers in the street"
Portman Brown set out next morn
EnR for Lucerne via Brussels and the
Rhine, staying = few days at Ostend
on the way. He took his place in the
undsniable comfort of q first-elass
earriags in the express TO Brussels