The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-17
CHAPTER VII.

There was time for no more than that
clasp of the hands, for sigu from Royal
called Madge back to him.
| Royal tad grown suspicious of the atten-
ton which the white haired gentleman was
dividing between him and the huuchback.
When you have quite done with your
almsgiying," he said none to gtaclously,
I'VE VIII be off. 1t is no use looking for
| Ferret. Pll take care of the purse till | see
him next"
And he bestowed it care,essly In the same
pocket where lay the dainty bag which held
| Madge's all since she had resigned all claim
upon her fathers bounty.
There" be added, assuming his lovelike
tone. do not look so serious, my darling,
or | shall think you mistrust me.h
Il don't, Ralph, l DON'T she answered,
fervently, II trust you with all my heartn
just at that moment, the white-haired
| old gentleman managed adrOitly to knock
away the stick by which the hunchbacl1 SUP
ported his tottering steps 1t fell at Royals
feet, so that ne had to pick 1t up and hand
it to the owner, whom the old gentleman
| was already helping VI on his feet, not.
| however, too engaged upon that somewhat
| difficult operation to make what would
have seemed an effort to pick the young
mans pocket, save that he held something
tan colored in his hand Whatever was
his intention il was frustrated by Royal
stepping back suddenly to 6ladge's side. aud
the something yellow fell to the grour d ;,
leaving only two or three visiting cards
which lad slipped from the card pocket in
the hand which had held it,
These we're thrust hastily into pocket OF
the old gentleman'5 inner coat, as if he
wished to hide al trace Of its having been in
his possession before, while with his FREQ
hand he caught no and profRered the pocket
| book to Its riRhtful owner.
But while he Snatched at his property
| the dwarf flew at the obliging person who
had restored it to him with such volley of
oRths that Royal drew Madge's a IN in his
and hurried her out Of the station.
AT the cries of tie dwarf one of those
London crowds which spring up as If by
magic out of space, gathered round the two
men. The polite gentleman had managed
TO shake himself fres Of the owner of the
pocket book, but that malformsd little be-
ing was not too drunk to be unwilling that
justice should be melted out Fortunately,
however, for the object OF his fury, the en-
ergies Of the same policeman, who had
| looked with fatherly eye upon little Gray
cloak, were stimulated by the presence of
the two detectives.
MIR. Ferret now made his way into the
| crowd and asked Whats amissp
"A pocket book, sir, has gone astray," re-
piled A Al, only by mighty effort restrain
ing his fingers from salutiuR
"ThiS-Rentleman," with pause before
the crowd, as he glanced at the strange fig
ure beside him, Says it was stolen. that he
felt Il hand in his pocket onen-with a
look OF greater respect at the white-haired
old gentleman-"says that in helping up
the other, who had fallen down-it-thnt
is, sir, the pocket bookn-getting infused
in his anxiety to appear very otficial-''fel
to the ground, and be was about to hand it
back"
Mr.. Ferret was puzzled, but the opinion
OF the crowd was certainly in favor OF the
old gentleman, WHO treated the matter with
the utmost sang frOjd.
at is your mistake, my dear sir" he
said, politely enough, to the inturia Ell lit
tie gentleman. "Wnat should | want with
your pocket bookM
The hunchback, however, only reiterated
his violent language. The strap upon his
jaw made 1t so painful for him 10 use his
lips properly that his wrath, however, only
found vent In a hoarse, gasping whisper
At first, in his rage, he did not heed the
pain In his efforts to make himself heard
but when his Vehemence caused the blood
to ooze ominously from under the strap, he
turned faint and SICK, and confined his wrath
to gestures aud hoarse shrieks.
Certainly the accused, in his fine coat
was more prepossessing than the accusec in
his deformity and coarss rough suit
Mr.. Ferret while the policeman exertsd
his authority to keep the crowd at a dis
lance, took the matter III hand.
at Is a ridiculous affair."" he said in a
tone of apology TO the old gentleman,
THE fellow is evidently mistaken. Per
haps, If you would not mind giving me
your name-your card"
In spite OF his respec able appearance, the
old man was plainly ANNOYED, and made as
though he would turn away.
AS he did 50 he put his hand hastily into
his pocket, exactly as Royals partner had
H. .l Il Al
liquor, and seemed for one moment yet
more annoyed at missing what he sought,
the next, not a little delighted ut what he
did find. All three moods bad passed over
him in flash, 80 quickly indeed that even
Mr.. Ferret's keen glance could not rightly
iaterpret them.
The old gentleman got over his anger
quickly, turned with tue same quiet dignity,
and drawing from his pocket card, placed
it in the detectives hand.
MIR. Ferret merely glanced at it. Il was
sure there had been great mistake" Here
the cripple broke out In fresh paroxysm
of rage, aud so did not hear the rest Of the
conversation between the old gentleman and
Mr.. Ferret, which ran as follows:
Il should have known you from your
likeness to your uncle, Mr.. Huntingford.
SAID the detective, but you have not taken
life so easily, l should think, for you might
be taken for his bro her"
i saw Dir ChArIes only week ago at the
hall. de will shortly be up at huntingford
house, believe, when you must give me a
chance Of renewing this acquaintance, Mr..
Ferret" was the reply, with a sly smile.
You know me then ~ asked the detective
pleased for once to be recognized, for if the
old fellow had weakness it v as a fondness
for the aristocracy. why. this disguise
has baffisd some of our cleverest foxes,n
with a side look at Sly.
playing that rogue the Rat off at his
own game, chi" asked Mr.. HuDtingford,
now quite at his ease. I'VE are looking TO
you. mind, to rid US Of that cleverest OF
scoundrels.n
1t was on the tip OF Mr.. Ferret's tongue
TO oonide TO Mr. Huntingford, in return
from this neat little compliment, the out
line, Of a new and ingenious trap, which he
was about to lay against the sooundrel in
question, but his habitual reticence made
him refrain, and he only said:
IF you were one OF US, the fellow would
soon cease to trouble any one. II you
eau hnd me out, you can easily trap him. "
The OLD gentleman answered drYly. THE
task could not be In better hauds than yours.
ANY clew 70 this last AFFAIR." But, there