Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-22


ing out from my window, saw LAMBS
worthy standing on the step. with his
portmantcau in his hand and his hat at
the back of his head.
Wondering what he had como back
for, slipped on some things and ran
down and let him in.
What is it?" called Seymour, as 1
passed his room.
Its Lambsworthy," I answered;
perhaps his landlady is out, and he
can't get in"
1t transpircd that the house in which
he had been going to sleep had been
broken into. Lambsworthy was great
ly upset. The landlady, who had been
spending the evening out and had
returned only few minutes be-
fore himself, had met him in the pas
sage in a state of terrible consterna-
ton. Her bedroom door, which she
had locked before she left, had been
forced open. The hasp was wrenched
Off and the wardrobe and chest Of
drawers had been rifed OF all their
contents.
1.-THE room is in the most dreadful
condition." said Stephen, land the
woman, poor creature, is almost off her
head. She said that she had never had
such an experience before. WAITED
till neighbor came in to keep her
company-she was frightened to be
left alone in the house-or should
have been back sooner. You must
make me up bed on the sofa for to-
night, you fellows" ~
why didn't you stay there, as you in
tcnded?" said Seymour, who had joined
US. They haven't stolen tho beds,
have thcy?"
WELL" said Lanbsworthy, slowly,
"do you know, it is strange, but it
didn't occur to mo. 1t gave me such a
shock, the Who'll, thing, it was SO un-
expected, that my only idea was to get
away as soon as could. And they
have sent to the station, and the police
will be here very soon. There is no
sign of how the burglars effected an
entrance. 1t would really have been
very unpleasant to sleep there"
"Funlks!' said Seymour under his
breath; and, though knew that
Lambsworthy was not a coward, /
could see myself his nerves were out
of order, too.
If confirmation had been needed,
should have got it, as a banging came
at the street door again, and shrill
voice was heard asking if''Mr. Lambs
worthy" lived here.
Stephen jumped up and went out,
coming back to say it was the servant,
who had been sent to inquire if he
would kindly step round at eleven
o'clock tomorrow, or If he would be
here ut the cottage, in case his evil
dence was wanted.
81 said would go round with pleas
ure," he explained. But do not see
what evidence can give"
Nor can anybody else see it cither!"
returned Seymour. "My dear fellow,
is it possible you don't understand
what the girl came for really? She
was sent to sec If you had given false
address or not. The police arc sus.
pecting you"
thought Lambsworthy would have
fallen.
"Suspecting me?" he circulated.
Certainly; very natural, too. You
go to house, q perfect stranger. You
engage room; arc furnished with a
latch-key; and the same evening,
while the landlady is out, a burglary
takes place-a burglary never having
occurred there before. If they had
found no Mr.. Lambsworthy' living
here, there would have been warrant
issued for your arrest"
do you think that is SO, old Eel
low?' asked Stephen, appealing to me
with big eyes.
l admitted that it sounded probable
/, however, added that his respecta.
bility was very easy matter to prove
even if it should still be doubted, and
after he had rcgained his composure
we improvised a shaledown for hin,
on the couch, and we all retired.
How can describe the Developments
Lambsworthy went round to the scene
of the late connection ut eleven o'clocl,
next morning, as he had promised; and,
when he came back, he was in the
nearest approach to rage that had
ever seen him in.
sold chap, the wretch does suspect
me-" he exclaimed; Seymour was
right! She gave me my deposit back,
and said, if 1t was all the same to me,
she would rather not let the room. OF
course l said did not mind; and, as
she was rather inclined to be high.
handed, added that, on the whole, !
did not know thatI should fancy bring.
ing my luggage there. l said it was
rather dangerous proceeding fora
lady to go out, and leave house to
take care Of itself And what do YOU
think she answered?"
II cannot guess, Lnmbsworthy."
'She said: 1t is a good deal more
dangerous to take a LOGGER without q
reference i told her If she dared to
hint ut her internal suspicious to her
neighbors I'd have her up for SANDER,
and 30 will! never heard of such 2
thing!''
He was in q state of great excitement
all day, recounting tho affair over and
over again to Seymour and Miss Car.
donncl and myself. am bound to say
that got little tired Of it, but Sey.
mour roared with laughter every time,
and caught a look in Norah Carbon.
nel's eyes that augurcd badly for him
in consequence. If nobody else wa,
sympathetic, the young lady was.
Harry Seymour disappeared during
the afternoon-went for a long tramp,
he said-and I had tho indignant
Lambsworthy all to myself till he re.
turned.
When he did come back, he said he
had noticed card with Apartment
to Let" on IL in a window inst rounf