The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-06-11

1uut iHdl, vi CouisG nc u hdfC hahSN "
with the lot Now, what do you say, Dal-
rymple ~
Il say what I've always said, his friend
answered quietly; ''you are too hasty in be
slowing your confidence Some day you'll
find yourselftaken in, and tn n,perhaps, you
will acknowledge the truth ofwhat say
Godfrey only laughed in his light hearted
way, and nothing more was seen or heard OF
Mr.. Mortimer, contrary to Capt. Dalyrym-
pies expectations. But Godfrey was sur
prised to receive the next evening tele-
gram from his uncle, dated 'Paris "
"Have changed my mind, aud am COM
ing back overland. VIII write. Do not
90 TO London until you hear again from
me, as | may stay here a few days.
Such a sudden change in his uncle )
plans was unexpected and astonishing,
uHder the circumstances. Godfrey had
always believed Sir Horace to be man of
firm and inhexible will, and not likely to
vaccillate in such manner. Yet there
was the telegram, and to disregard it would
be absurd.
He must defer going to London until he
heard again from the General, and then It
would doubtless be manifest that his uncle
had good reasons for this alteration in his
route, which he could not intrust to tell
egram. Still, thinking of the valuables
which the old man had in his possession,
he was conscious that he would feel relieved
when his uncle was safely in England
Bnt that he feared to wound the independ-
ent spirit of the old soldier, he would have
gone to meet him in Paris; but he did moi
ike to do so unasked, knowing that Sir
Horace was very impatient of anything like
interference.
Careless Godfrey would not have dis
missed the subject of his uncle's change Of
plans so lightly had he guessed that the
telegram was forgery, and emanated from
A scheme concocted in the subtle brain OF
Mr. Algernon Mortimer, who was just what
Capt. DalrympIe had designated him
common swindler- Profting by the acci
dent of the keys being in the Captain
escritoire, a very brief study of Godfrey
correspondence had suggested to his minC
a plan, of which the simplicity was only
surpassed by the audacity. He, AlgernoI
Mortimer, would go to meet Sir Horace a
Gravesend, and tighten his responsibilitie
by taking upon himself the care of the Ra
nee's jewels.
CHAPTER II.
"And now let me have a good look a
you, nephew Godfrey" said Sir Horac
Trevor, when the traveller and his suppose,
nephew were safely installed in their privat
sitting-room at the fashionable hotel
"What with the hustle of the custom hous
and the jolting Of theseab, I've scarcel
been able to look at you yet; but it seem
to me-" he added, as he put his hands o.
his companions shoulders and gave him
searching glance, "that photograph of youl
self that you sent me at Christmas coul,
not have been very good one, for l don
see that you have much resemblance to it.
1T was an excessively bad likeness
uncle, said the young man candidly, IL
fact, it was not good enough to send you
but it was the only one happened to hav
by me, and thought you would like
better than nothing | knew you at once
today, by your likeness to the photograpI
of you | have in my room at MudporI
How | wish George were here, that yo
might see what fine fellow he has grown
He is not much like me-he has blue eye
and light hair"
Like your poor father" said Sir Horace
with half sigh. "And now, my boy, "
had better see about getting these package
safely bestowed y He rose as he spoke
and went to corner of the room, wher
were two or three small packing eases, an
little iron clamped box. He held up tn
latter to his supposed nephew, saying
s'The Jewels are in this. Would it gratif
you to have peep at the Ranee's neck
lace p
His nephew sparkling eyes were suff
cient answer, and carefully locking the dool
the old General took small key from hi
watch chain and unfastened the box, 0
which the lock was of peculiar construction
He removed some wrappers, and displaye
the necklace and several ornaments, beside
number of unset stones. Rarharic a
was the style of some of the jewel,
according to Western ideas, the size an
lustre of the stones made it evident tina
they were of great value. The younge
man took up the diamond necklace an
passed it through his fingers with manifes
admiration.
Beautiful stones, are they not ?" sal
! Sir Horace. ''The cutting and polishin
leave something TO be desired, but goo
jeweller will soon rectify that, and the
Shall he equally divided between you an
George, with the exception of the necklace
which is destined for the first hride-eithe
your wife or Georges. Those cases, con
tinued the General, ''contain few valua
bIes | especially prize, while the residue O
my plate viii arrive with the heavy luggag
tomorrow. intend to give them all, wit
the Jewels, into the care of the hotel mar
ager, that he may put them into the stron
room for tonight; and IN the morning W
will take them TO the bank.
The other turned perceptibly pale.
''Don't you think it rather risk to il
trust such valuables to the tender mercie
of an utter stranger, uncle? The strong
room might be broken into and robbed thi
very night"
''I don't think it likely" said Sir Hon
ace, smiling "The strong-room here
guaranteed fire and thief proof, and cor
stantly contains property of great value be
longing to visitors. shall be glad to b
rid of the responsibility. These diamond
haYe been perfect nightmare to me all tn
way home"
''If I might be permitted to advise, un
cle," said the young man, 81 think it woul
be better not TO call anybody's attention t
the fact that you have any valuables wit
you at all. London thieves have such ez
traordinary ways Of getting information
that they might attack us even in broa
daylight tomorrow, as we are taking tn
Jewels to the bank Let us have the case
quietly carried TO your room, or, better still
to mine, and locked up in wardrobe fc
tonight, without telling anybody abou
them. That will be the safest course"
"Why would YOU rather have them