The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-17

, Mr.. Boomer never could explain
how it came about, but there seem
to be no doubt, even in his owr
mind, that before the feast drew II
close he tell asleep. What was
more remarkable all the other diner:
did the same. And they all slep
soundly enough until twelve O'Clock
when the manager of the restaurant
came in to inform them that they
must bring their festivities to term
nation. To his amazement he fauno
the late diners, with one exception
all snoozing heavily, and the walters
and the thirteenth man. Mr.. Scuter
gone.
After good deal OF pulling and
shaking and swearing, the manager
with the assistance of two or three
other persons, contriyed to wake
up Mr.. Boomer and his friends. As
soon as these gentlemen gathered
their wits together, demand was
made upon them for the amount OF
their bill. This led to a second and
even more startling discovery. Every
man in the room found that he had
been robbed of his purse, watch,
rings. even studs-everything in
fact, worth taking, except his
clothes
Wnen this appalling fact was made
clear, there was solemn silence. The
manager was the first to break it.
It's them cross eyed walters, he said.
thought they were pickpockets the
moment my eyes fell on them They
have cleared you out and bolted when
| you were drunk.
We weren't drunk, protested Mr..
Boomer, feeblY. Our wine must have
been drugged.
Where's Scuter? asked somebody.
Oh, he's one of the gang, suppose,
SAID Mr.. Basher.
I'll tell you what it is. cried Lord
Eustace, bitterly. The whole thing
was internal nonsense. thought so
from the beginning, but Boomer per-
suaded me to come-he said it would
be such fun. Oh, IFS great fun-d-d
tun2 1t will be long time before l
tempt Providence again.
Once more there was solemn sill
euce, then Mr.. Sheevle spoke.
Superstitions, he said, are the religion
of the common people. Like all pre-
JUDGES of the common people, they
have some basis IN fact. I-Pul half
sorry | began this business.
Pm whole sorry, cried Hardy
Punter. I've played hundreds of times.
and deuce takes me if ever did any,
thing but lose on Fridays.
think, gentlemen, put in the prac-
tical manager, you had better be trying
to catch the thieves than bothering
about these things now. Won't you
60 to Bow street and report the
matter1
| think that is the wisest course, said
Mr.. Boomer, who still seemed little
hazy. Thenturning to his dlsconsolate
friends. Lord he said, if this only
gets into the papers. His friends shud-
dered.
An arrangement as to the bill having
been made with the manager. the
twelve cleared out gentlemen cleared
out of the restaurant and walked slowly
down TO Bow street. On the way
there a good deal of discomfort with
the constitution, methods and objects
of the Thirteen Club was expressed in
more or less energetic language, and it
was clear to Mr.. Boomer that unless
things took bright turn his project
was on the eve of dissolution. He
felt quite relieved when they reached
the police station.
They entered the station IN body,
and began to state their complaint.
They had hardly we'll begun it when
who walked out from an inner room
but Mr.. Scutter
Well, gentlemen, he said, in the
coolest possible way, hope YOU are all
well. | left a bit early-buslness, you
know. How did the night end2 A
row-eh?
The twelve-residue of the thir-
teen-looked at each other in bewil-
derment.
think, sir. said Mr.. Boomer severe
ly, it Is for you to give explanations.
not me.
With all my heart, said Mr.. Scuter.
in the most obl;ging way. You see, l
am detective inspector, and hearing
that you had engaged as walters the
Squint eyes, as we call them-their real
name is Priggle, and they're the 'cutest
pickpockets in town. thought there
would be more on tonight than you
expected SO l spoke to Capt. Terring-
ton, whom l used to serve under when
l was in the army, and he suggested
that | should 60 in his stead, and keep
my weather eye open. Aud l did,
gentlemen and if you want to see the
Squaint, eyes and your property, just
step this way, gentlemen. I've been
after these rascals for months, and but
for your dinner, gentlemen. | doubt
if I'd ever have laid hands on 'em.
HOW DID THE DOLLAR MARK
ORIGINATE?