Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-03-17

In a dark alcovc to take short nap.
Il came TO nIyself at some very late
hour. The gas was lit in the room,
and two ladies sat at table at some
distance from tie nook in which / lay
SNOWY women. who did not look,
thought, too respectable.
No wonder they are at A loss
said tho younger. 4 went across the
balcony and slipped i'll at the window
while tho boy was asleep. l took the
things from under his very nose. /
suppose you telegraphcd to me. What
| did YOU telegraph.
"'Child dying, Uttered the old won-
an. Come Mt once
Very we'll That makes the best
| excuse said the younger one. We'll
| order carriage 10 go TO the park,
| keep it waiting till the telegram comes,
then off. Here, give me your petit
| coat
"Peepine from behind the curtain
that draped the alcove | saw the old
woman hand Il black quilted skirt
to the youn. one, who began to patch
1t on the wrong side, laying notes and
| papers in the black silk squares.
| After awhile she said:
THAT girls miniature set in da-
monds must 30 in too. Give me that
and the emeralds They say they
have sent for Smith 10 work up the
case. He's not here. for | know him
and he knows me Well. I'm general
ly lucky.
These words were the open Sc
same that revealed the truth. | I'M
derstood It now
There was another John +. Smith.
and he was detective. | had been
mistaken for him. Under the influence
of champagne / had entered the wrong
room. by chance that Of the woman
who had robbed the young noblcman.
Il had one chance of concealing my
self-to roll off behind the lounge,
which had no back.
Being slim as an eel at the time. l
contrived to do this silently and
waited the result.
Take advantage of your oppor-
tunity,' says l to myself. Don't give
yourself away
Il saw how everything was packed
l saw the old woman take the skirt
and put it on and come and lie down
on the lounge above me with II cloak
over her. / saw the lights lowered
and heard the other woman lie down
on the bedstead
|
and snored aftcrward. Then the young
woman was as quiet as if she We're
dead.
81 crept out, crawlcd on my hands
and elbows to the door, found the key
in the lock, opened the door and was
safe.
Il found the night Waterman walk.
ing the house in list slippers, and
signaling him to silence, said:
Call the proprietors. Tell them
Mr.. John r. Smith wants them in
stantly, and bring them here
Gentlemen | said. with an nil
they had not yet seen, my mission Il
accomplished. The thieves occupy thai
room. They are n lady aud a youu.
woman who passes for her servant
! They are professional thieves. Th'
young woman crossed the balcony an(
committed the robbery while Lore
Lumpkns slept. The booty is stitched
in quilted petticoat on the old WON
ans person..
1.-THE women were ARE stcd. Lore
Lumpkins got his property back-Iad.
Catherine and all-and was very gen
crorls. The hotel men paid me splcn
, didly, and after another dinner wen
. away with n little fortune in H.,
pocket.
II read of the brighi work of .Jchl
: P. Smith in all the papers and tn
other fellow was welcome to the rcI
| utation.
Il took my little pile to Montana
bought Il ranch and made my fortune
Well good by, sir. Haven't a minute
The little ieweler stuck his head on
OF the window to look after him. bu
he was gone. with Il Cash from III
, collar button and flash from his fin
ger.
, He Looked lucky, and perhaps hi
, story is true" thought The jewelcr.
Who can tell:-Black and White