The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-19

weather is not the mouse uney re going
for. They've got some big plant on in the
neighborhood, and we must keep our eyes
open. That Ben would deceive all the
detectives in all the capitals, let alone a
beginner!'
said, Certainly" but in my own heart
I thought that l was jolly, clever feilow,
and in that mood | strolled into Palace
gardens and took look at the banker
mansion 1t was fine house, carefully
guarded One manservant remained as
Waterman, and l took an opportunity OF
chatting with him, explaining that 1
thought an attack would be made on the
place in night or two. He laughed the
idea to scorn.
"We're shut up like a prison, " said he,
land you may just sleep easy They
won't get much this road. /"
But, knowing Ben, thought otherwise,
and 1 chuokled as I returned to the police
station, saying to myself, You old fool,
Ben, you must be going mad in your
dotage!"
Now, I had settled on plan in my
mind. I would watch Bellweather
house myself every night during that week
and would take two smart fellows Win
me that we might thoroughly surround IL.
This plan followed, watching diligently
in the raw January cold for five hours
every night and continuing the business
for the five days Of the allotted week.
Nothing trapspired, however. Not a soul
came near the place. There were no rob
berries in the district. Old Ben had evil
IDENTIFY been fooling me.
On the sixth night was preparing TO
90 out as usual, when of a sudden the
whole Office was surprised by the appear
ance of Mr.. Bellweather himself, tall,
gentIeinanly man, with an aristocratlo
bearing and a most polite air.
~ am sorry to have to trouble you at
this hour of the night, - he said, "but /
have received a letter from my man Will
liam saying that he fears burglary at my
house.
"Strange men have been watching about
If during the last four days, and yesterday
a man in the uniform of soldier endeav-
ored to get into conversation with William.
He wired to me at once, SO have left my
wife and children at Dover and have hur-
ried home.'
I said that he had acted most wisely,
and as I gathered from his remarks Will
liam expected the burglary to be attempt
ed that night or perhaps the next. This
caused me to be prompt in my action.
"I'll return with you, and we'll watch to-
Rether, ~ said. "Two men will be enough,
for they will be well armed, and if we take
more we may disturb the gang and lose
them"
"Ouite So" said Mr.. Bellweather. 1T
would be as well once for all to rid the
neighborhood of these pests. have my
French valet with me, and that will make
five of us in all, for have sent William te
Dover to look after the luggage and to helI
my wife. If you can come up to the house
at once, it would be safer. -
Evidently there was not minute to be
lost. Calling two trusty men, babe them
load their revo.vers and instruct the police
on the beat to keep about the place. Then
we set out, and when we arrived at the
bankers house saw that supper was laid
in the dining room, and that there were
lights in the kitchen.
you've got too much gas about,
! said. But he remarked:
ave can close the shutters when we ge,
in, and it is little early for them yet ="
This was true, and SO we entered, being
| careful to close the whole place up thai
not ray ii light might shine outside