The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-03-27

perhaps | had better not give the name
of the paper; according to Inspector
Bland it is the favorite journal of the
criminal classes-begging the gentle.
man with whom &c. G. inadvertently
exchanged bags to communicate Will
G.. c. at the add ess he would find in G
G. s pocketbook.
Personally | didn't think our fish
would be foolish enough to rise to this
bait, but my friend, the inspector, was
more hopeful.
Luckily for us, Mr.. Corner" said
he, when l took advantage of my next
visit to the qunrries to call upon him,
there's always sort of warp or twist
In the mind of tho habitual criminal
which prevents him from believing in
the honesty of other folks. Now, not
soul but you and l and the chief oonsta-
BILE knows those jewels are as good as
back on Lady Yerbury's dressing table,
or wherever else she's in the habit of
leaving 'em lying about. Therefore the
hue and cry after them's not likely to
die away yet awhile, and there'll be
genuine ring about it which should per-
suade our unknown friend that you've
got 'em and mean to convert 'em to
your own use, as we say in the profes-
sion, but, being an amateur, don know
how to go about turning 'em into more
cash than the reward comes to, and
that, consequently, you are anxious to
come to terms with him. See?'
l saw, but l was not convinced.
Events, however, proved that the in
spector was right For month Lady
Yerbury's diamonds were sought in
vain, and for month &c. G.. contin-
ued to appeal to his late fellow traveller
also in vain, but at the end of that time
his patience was rewarded by the appear
ance of an advertisement, telling him
If he really meant business to write to
"B. II. " at given address.
The letter l wrote at the dictation of
Inspector Bland was more cautious
than discriminating, but as it produced
a reply which the inspector deemed sat
isfactory it was followed by others less
carefully worded until stood pledged
to personally deliver, for considera-
ton of e2, 600, the stolen jewels to one
Benjamin Hurst, whom | was to meet
at public house in Chillingham.
Now, l don't pretend to be Drawer than
the average man of peaceful and seden-
tary habits, and when | saw what sort
of house the Spotted Dog was | began
to wish l had refused to have anything
to do with Inspector BANDS scheme.
The little company of disreputable
looking loafers hanging about the bar
me 1r1n 81 &c nrntn
asked the landlord if Mr.. Hurst was
in.
Mary, show the gentleman Mr..
Hurst's room, said the landlord.
found Mr.. Hurst decidedly surly
rascal He began by milling at the
hardness of the bargain was driving
with him and swearing at his luck gen
orally. Then, being perhaps emboldened
by the conciliatory manner thought it
prudent to adopt, he tried to make bet
ter terms, offering me first $500 less,
and finally insisting that he ought at
least to be allowed to deduct from my
g. 900 the sum l had used to pay the
men,
Inspector Bland had allowed me a
quarter of an hour for negotiations. At
the end of that time he proposed to make
raid upon the house.
"And mind, he had said in his joe
ular way, Eve don't find the property
still i'll your hands, Mr.. Corner. 1t
would be pretty kettle of fish if we
had to prosecute you for unlawful pos
session, wouldn't it?'
In accordance with these instructions,
haggled with Mr. Hurst little while
and then allowed him to have his way,
whereupon he, having satisfied himself
that the bag which / restored to him
still contained his spoils, handed me
Ell, 900 in what afterward turned out to
be very creditable limitations of Bank
of England notes.
II suppose you don't want no re-
ceipt?" he growled.
"No, thank you," said; 81 think
we may mutually dispense with that
formality. Good morning"
turned to leave the room as l spoke,
but before l could unlock the door it
was burst open from the outside, not,
unfortunately for me, by the police, but
by the man whom the landlord had call
ed Bill, q powerful ruffian, who prompt
ly knocked me down and knelt upon my
chest.
Quick, Ben, get out of this" he
cried. cts plant No. no. The win
dow, you fool, - he added as Mr.. Hurst
bag i'll hand, made for the door. "Thc
police are in the bar already"
As Mr.. Hurst opened the window he
cursed me with much volubility and
bitterness, and as soon as he was outside
on the leads he did worse.
"Stand clear, Bill, " he cried, and
his friend obeyed him. | scrambled to
my feet, but Immediately dropped
again, with bullet from Mr.. Hurst's
revolver in my shoulder.
am not at all sorry that Mr.. Hurst
fired at me, as Inspector Bland says it
was much easier to convict him of at
tempted murder than to prove he actual
ly stole those jewels, and the inspector
doubts, too, whether he would have got
Ia years if merely charged with receiv
ing them But | do wish he hadn't hit