The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-07-05


it. But a second consideration struck
me: Jonathan Small must have felt
that the peculiar appearance of his
companion, however much he may
have top-coated him, would give rise
to gossip, and possibly be associated
with this Norwood tragedy. He was
quite sharp enough to see that. They
had started from their headquarters
under cover of darkness, and he
would wish to get back before it was
broad light. Now. it was past three
o'clock, according to Mrs. Smith, when
they got the boat. 1t would be quite
bright, and people would be about in
an hour or so. Therefore, l argued,
they did not go very far. They paid
Smith well to hold his tongue, reserved
his launch for the final escape, and
hurried to their lodgings with the
treasure-box. In a couple of nights,
when they had time to see what view
the papers took, and whether there
was any suspicion, they would make
their way under cover of darkness to
some ship at Gravesend or in the
Downs, where no doubt they had al
ready arranged for passages to America
or the colonies"
But the launch? They could not
have taken that to their lodgings"
"Quite so. l argued that the launch
must be no great way off, in spite of
its invisibility. l then put myself in
the place of Small, and looked at it as
a man of his capacity would. He would
probably consider that to send back
the launch or to keep it at a wharf would
make pursuit easy if the police did
happen to get or his track. How, then,
could he conceal the launch and yet
have her at hand when wanted?
wondered what should do myself if
were in his shoes. ! could only think
of one way of doing it. might hand
the launch over to some boatbuilder
or repairer, with directions to make a
trihing change in her. She would then
be removed to his shed or yard, and so
be effectually concealed, while at the
same time ! could have her at few
hours notice"
THAT seems simple enough"
ut is Just these very simple things
which are extremely liable to be over
looked. However, determined to act
on the idea l started at once in this
harmless seaman's rig and inquired at
all the yards down the river. l drew
blank at fifteen, but at the sixteenth
Jacobson's-I learned that the Aurora
had been handed over to them two
days ago by a wooden-legged man,
with some trivial directions as to her
rudder There amt naught amiss
with her rudder,' said the foreman.
There she lies, with the red streaks. ,
At that moment who should come down
but Mordecai Smith, the missing
owner? He was rather the worse
for liquor. l should not, of course,
have Known him, but he beloved
out his name and the name of his
launch. I want her tonight at eight
o'clock said ateight o'clock sharp,
mind, for have two gentlemen who
won't be kept waiting They had evil
IDENTIFY paid him well, for he was very
flush of money, chucking shillings
about to the men. l followed him some
distance, but he subsidized in an ale
house; so / went back to the yard, and,
happening to pick up one of my boys
on the way, stationed him as a sentry
over the launch. He is to stand at the
waters edge and wave his handkerchief
to US when they start. We shall be
lying off in the stream, and it will be a
strange thing if we do not take men,
treasure and all"
''You have planned it all very neatly,
whether they are the right men or
not" said Jones; but if the affair
were in my hands should have had
a body Of police in Jacobson's yard,
and arrested them when they came
down"
(which would have been never. This
man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow.
He would send scout on ahead, and if
anything made him suspicious he
would lie snug for another week"
"But you might have stuck to
Mordecai Smith. and so been led to
their hiding-plaee," said I.
Elm that case l should have wasted
my day. l think that it is a hundred
to one against Smith knowing where