Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-01-16
BROWNS GREAT PERIL.


Portman Brown was a prosperous,
elderly gentleman, OF quiet ways and
fixed habits. A small circle OF tamil-
lar friends supplied all his social
needs. He concerned himself little
with the rest Of humanity, belonging
TO the class who can live side by side
n the same street With fellow
creature all their lives without SO
much as knowing them by sight.
Among Mr.. Browns fixed habits
was a yearly tour But he dld not
take it, like most people, in the sum,
mer months, but in the early spring.
Regularly as the first week in March
same round he went abroad \ COM
mon-place tour, in beaten tracks, iol-
lowing the usual routine OF travel in
steamers and trains and lodging at
palaeal hotels No adventure had
ever broken the uneventiul record OF
these tours for over quarter OF a
century; no more exciting incident
than an unusual oyercharge at some
motel had come within Portman
Brown 5 personal experience.
In IS, when March came around,
ne raade the usual preparations ior
MS yearly tour in his usual way On
the evening before his departure an
old city friend, Goldsmith. dined with
aim at mis- house in Harley street
When about to leave Goldsmith drew
4 small case from his pocket.
II brought this with me on the
chance that you were gong I o Cannes
You will do me a great favor by Civ.
ing it into my brothers hands there
1t contains 4 brilliant of such rare
value that / could intrust it to few
II viii give you no trouble, being SC
small; there is no risk, as no one viii
know you have such a thing Will
you."
Anything to oblige friend" sale
Brown lightly. II would take thu
Kohinoor as travelling companion
under the same circumstances.
study window, the blind OF which hap
pened TO be up. While in the act 0
placing the case in his pocket Brown:
eyes wandered to the street. At tbs
moment the light from a lamp in from
of the door struck on the tace OF Z
man who was passing; or had he beer
standing there-a peculiar. dark face
wish straight black whiskers.
The man moved on. Brown drew
back hastily.
None OF your people knew that
you were giving me this commission
hr inquired Of Goldsmith.
Not a soul, my dear fellow; tn,
matter is entirely between you ant
me Ny clerk alone knows OF tn,
existence OF the brilliant
what is he like"
Like you-llke me, Responsibility
Itself. What are you thinking Off
HAS he black whiskers?'
Gray as a badger-white even
But bless my soul what is the matter
What do you mean? Have you seer
any one?"
"A man was standing there by tn
lanppost as you handed me the iewe
case. He was apparently looking a
ms and might have heard what W
said"
Then he must be in the stree
still" said Goldsmith, throwing NJ
the window and putting his head out
Brown did the same. The night wa
bright. Not soul was to be seel
anywhere; the street was quite desert
ed.
"A neighbor or neighbours butler
He had gone into some house" Gold
smith withdrew from the window al
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 hesi
tate to acknowledge that he is tn
honester Of the two. Your i'm
agination is playing your tricks.
didn't know you were given that wa,
perhaps you would rather not tax
charge of the brilliant
But Brown would not hear of this
Already shamefaced over his hust
and somewhat ridiculous suspicion
he dismissed them abruptly.
Not for worlds would give up th
charge" hesaid. "fm not such a ioC
as seem. The man probably is on
OF the new neighbors; there are grea
many newcomers in the street
portman Brown set out next morn
ING for Lucerne vim Brussels and til
Rhine, staying few days ut Osten
on the way. He took his place in til
undeniable comfort of a frst-clas
carriage in the express to Brussel