The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-02-08
sIUIy nave JOuCneu IL.
Are you sure of that, miss?' asked the

49, Are you sure of that, miss2' asked the
policeman.
Perfectly sure. The gentleman is in
no way to blame, and I'm sure you won't
think of arrcsting him. Auntie, do say
| you know it is a mistake. Think how
| cruel it is to make such an accusation I'M
! less it is certainly true
Mrs. Scoble opened her purse and
found its contents undisturbed. L am
afraid, she began, that there is mis-
take, and that the man did not take the
purse. Still 1 do think
Very well, ma am. Then 1 under
stand you don't make any charges? asked
the constable
None whateverp hastily exclaimed
the niece. We are very sorry to have
troubled you Then, turning to me- she
added, And l am sure we are awfully
sorry that you were put to the least an
| noyance.'
Il thought annoyance was rather an in
| adequate term, considering all the cir
| cumstanccs, but l was so delighted with
my escape and the way in which the girl
| had come to my rescue that 1 said, and
fancied at the moment that meant it,
that it wasn't of the slightest consequence
why did he tell US he was deaf and
| dumb? That's what 1 should like to
| KNOW said. the still implacable Mrs. SEQ
| BILE.
:" L wouldn't advise him to play that
| game any more, said the policeman severe
| ly. Let me tell you, sir, that if you travel
| under false pretenses you needn't be sur
| prised if you find yourself in trouble
| You'll have to give me your name and adj
| dress, in case anything more comes of
this.
Il gave him my address as soon as
could get away from the carriage, and at
the Same time gave him a surreptitious
| shillings and asked him not to give my
name to Mrs. Scoble Then l got into a
third class carriage at the very head of the
| train and prepared to run the final risk
of meeting my friend John Scoble at the
Grecncroft station. 1 knew that if he saw
| me should either have to go with him to
| his house or to tell him the whole story.
| He was one of those exasperating men who
| always insist upon having everything fully
| explained, and l knew that he would not
be contented with my mere assertion that
business made it imperative that should
return at once to London. AS for going
to his house, 1 felt that should infinitely
prefer to go to Jail. To meet his wife after
she had said that 1 was nuisance and
stupid and looked like a sneak thief
would have been bad enough, but to meet
her after she had tried to have me arrested
for picking her pocket was more than the
bravest of men could have dreamed of do
ing. If could only avoid Scoble, and SO
get back to town unrecognized, all might
yet be well. My only regret would be that
l could not properly thank that noble girl
who had stood between me and the police
man.
Il saw Scoble on the platform as the
train drew up at Greencroft, but he did
not see me, for had concealed myself be-
hind the curtains of the carriage. /
watched him until his back was turned
and then sprang out and bolted into the
cloakroom, which was close at hand. l
had hoped to remain there until Scoble
had left the station, but was disappointed.
The porter in attendance finding that I
had no particular business with him, i'm
mediately suspected me of designs upon
the property under his charge and told me
that l must not stay in the cloakroom. I
tried bribery, but the action only con-
firmcd his suspicious, and he roughly Or
dered me to go about my business or he
would have me arrested.
There was still one more chance. If
Scoble should happen not to see me emerg-
ing from the cloakroom, l might gain the
shelter of the refreshment rooms, where,
of course, no sane person would dream of
looking for me. When came out on the
platform again. SCoble was nowhere to be
seen, having escorted his wife and niece
to the carriage, which had been waiting
Just outside the station. / made a dash
for the rcfreshmcnt room, and turning up
my coat collar and pulling my hat down
I frpr l1.y 30.
sandwiches, trusting that no one could
recognize mo in that improbable occupa.
ton.
Il stopped in that harbor of refuge for
fully 5 minutes and ruined my digestion
for life, Us l am now convinced. Then,
feeling sure that the coast must be clear,
went out on the platform and walked
directly into the arms of Scoble, who was
waiting for the next train under the i'm
preston that must have missed the one
in which l actually came.
why, here you are, after allp he ex-
claimed Where On earth have you bcen?'
Il murmured something about a tele-
gram that had just received calling me
back to London, and then, seeing that
Scobic was standing in open mouthed
amazement, pulled myself together
| enough to say that l must go instantly
back to town. It's a matter of life and
death, you know, 1 added. L just wired
that would take the next train.
I" who's ill? What's the matter? Let
me see the telegram cried Scoble.
Il made a pretense of looking in my
pocket and then replied that had lost the
telegram, but that it was from my uncle,
who had died suddenly.
He died suddenly and then wired to
your said the stupefied Scoble. L must
sec that telegram. Come along to the
Office, and they'll give us copy of it.. So
| saying, nc dragged me TO the telegraph Of
flee and asked to sec the message that !
had just received
what name, sir?' asked the operator.
"Scoble told him that it was John
ston.'
No telegram has been received here
today for any party of that name, replied
| the operator.
But here is Johnston himself er-
| claimed Scoble. He received it not Is
| minutes ago and has been sending an an
swer.
Never saw the gentleman before,
said the official coldly. Never gave him
no telegram and never received none from
| him.
'Johnstonr cried my friend. What
| docs this mean? Have you gone stark
mad?'
IN write and explain as soon as I get
back to town., replied. Il can't tell you
now. The blow is so awfully sudden.
| Don't take any notice of me. / am subject
| to this sort of thing
He's subject to have his uncle die
suddenly and then wire to himn said my
| friend, calling upon the universe in gen
eral to help him graphic with this amaz-
| ing statement. Johnston, you're not
| we'll Come straight home with me- and
| I'll send for the medical man.
! What l might not have said have no
| idea, for a new misery overwhelmed me.
| The niece had returned and was standing
| looking in bcwilderment first at me and
then at her uncle. Suddenly she took in
| the full meaning of the situation, and
| after saying to me, Is this Mr.. JohnstonP
burst into uncomfortable laughter.
There was never anything SO conta-
gious and irresistible as that laugh since
! the world began, and the flash of the girls
miSchievous eyes would have made John
| Calvin smile even in the act of burning
| hereto. / could not help it, bus in an
other moment l found myself joining in
the girls laughter, while Scoble stood and
| gaZcd at US with an almost frightened eX-
preston.
THE niece was the first to speak.
| Uncle she said, there has been a mis-
take that would have been perfectly. aw-
full if Mr.. Johnston had not been real hu
morist and seen the funny side of it.
Auntic has driven home for she could not
wait any longer, and we will all three
walk home together, and you shall know