Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-09-03

z~ .s<sn~.
interfere. In fact she spoke as little
as possible to Mr.. st. John, who had
chosen to make love to her in a cool,
nonchalant way, which was the very
reverse of fiattering. And when on
one occasion she had been tempted
to snub him most plainly he had re-
piled:
MY dear Miss West, you can say
what you like to me. You can't vex
me. Why, you don't know how de-
voted / could be to your interests if
necessary. / believe could even
keep watch at the postern gate,
came you never so late,'" and the
speaker looked significantly as he
uttered these words The memory
of the open window flashed across
the girls mind. She blushed furi-
ously, and muttering something
about instructions to give to the
servants" left the room, conscious
of most sardonic smile on the face
Of her prosecutor.
Some three weeks after the doc
tors departure the community Of
Bewley-Stratton was startled with
the news that THE Crays,' the seat
Of one of the county families, had
been broken into by burglars and
considerable amount of valuable
jewelry carried off. The local police,
aided by detective from town, soon
established the fact that the Job"
was the work Of experienced thieves,
and they were busy following up
clew-or at least so they said-when
they were called to mansion some
eight miles from THE Crays, which
had also been burglarized, evidently
by the same hands. Here the plate
chest had been rifed, and the thieves
had got clean away without leaving
any trace of their subsequent move
ments
These two burglaries gave the peo-
pie of Bewley -Stratton plenty to talk
about, and when, day or two later,
news came of yet third raid on the
Grange, an isolated country house
some ten miles away, excitement rose
to fever heat. Two more detectives
were dispatched from Scotland Yard.
They made numerous inquiries, and
were evideRtly put on their mettle
by the sarcastic comments of the
local newspaper on their want of
success, but in spite of all their ef
forts the thieves remained undis
covered.
A few days after this third bur
glary a. somewhat shabbily attired
individual, who, however, had the
unmistakable stamp of good breed
ing in his air and carriage, entered
the Bewley-Stratton police station
and asked to see the inspector. Ush-
cred into the little room where the
official was puzzling over the most
recent reports of his subordinates
and matchmaking their stupidity
(as he characterized their want of
success), the visitor coolly took
chair and waited for the official to
speak.
What, Mr.. Fredw exclaimed the
inspector, as his glance fell on the
newcomer.
Eyes, it's me, Howard" was the
laughing response. Back again to
see you like bad penny"
"Of course you're perfectly enti
tied to come to Bewley, OF any othel
place, sir, said the inspector, some
what stiffly; but should have
thought"
"Ah, never mind, my old pal, my
wild oats are all sown. I've come
here on business. What reward is
offered for the capture of these en-
terprising burglars of yoursl"
'Rewardp' echoed the officer in
surprise; ''well, altogether about
$3 500. Are you going to turn thief
catcher, Mr.. Fredi"
We'll, I'm going to try my hand.
Now just you listen quietly to me
for half an hour and perhaps we
shall share that SO, 500 between us, if
all goes we'll"
1t was dark night, the rain was
coming down in torrents and fou1
men, who We're crouching under a
hedge about eight miles from Bew'
-Stratton, were wet to the skin
"Hark hear wheels, said one OF
them. Now then"
They emerged from the hedge, and
one of their number coolly laid him
self down in the muddy road. AS
the lamps of the approaching vehicle
drew near one Of the quartet raised
shrill halo"
"Hallom came in reply from the
driver Of the gig. whats up2'
Here's n man been run over" was
the explanations 1--WE think he be
killed Be you a doctor2"
"Yes, am, was the reply, and the
driver dismounted and walked up to
the group.
AID tban an o,,,.;n,s th;,o +no1,