Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-06-06

ger on board-a Brazilian named DE
Castro-who tailed ia every way with
this description. But for the fact
had conclusive evidence 10 show he
could not have been directly concerned
in tho robberies-for inquiries proved
he had remained ON deck the whole
evening-he certainly would have been
treated TO a private interview In the
captains cabin. As IL was, l was
forced to conclude that black hair,
swarthy complexion, Slouched hat and
cloak were quite compatible with a
i mans innocence.
Nothing further occurred TO excite
suspicion until the last day or two OF
the voyage. Then. one evening after
dinner, word was brought TO me that
three other state rooms had been rified
| in the same mysterious manner.
| Watches, jewelry and even money had
disappeared. though in all three cases
1 the passengers stoutly declared they
| had left their doors locked,
| When the alarm reached me | hap
| pened to be standing In my deck office.
| had in my hand twenty sovereigns
which | had just taken in exchange
| for American money TO accommodate
one of our passengers. l didn't wait
to lock up the gold. | simply placed
1t on my desk, switched OF the light
and hurried away. Ihad no fears for
the safety of the soyereigns, my door
having particularly intricate lock. in
which took good care to turn the key
before leaving.
l remained below for an hour or so
investigating these fresh complaints,
but as in the other eases. | was ut
terly unable to make head or tail of
them. Fexed and bewildered. | went
back to my office. unlocked the door,
turned on the light. and mechanically
stretched out my hand to take the SOW
ereigns from my desk. My hand closed
upon nothing more solid than thin air
my little pile of gold had vanished!
For a minute or two | stood there
gazing hankly before me, so utterly
confused and dismayed that l could
scarcely bring my wits to bear upon
the mysterious affair Then | man
aged to pull myself together and took
look around the little cabin. In the
course of my observations my eyes
happened to rest upon the portfolio,
which stood wide open, the weather
being oppressiyely hot
| regarded the innocent looking port
hole with the air of veritable Sher-
lock Holmes. / went outside and
thrust my arm in through the opening,
but my hand did not reach within fully
two yards OF the desk Still 1t struck
me as being the only way by which
the thief could have got at the money.
and determined TO put my theory to
practical test.
l hurried down into the saloon.
where most Of the passengers were
congregated. As yet few OF them
We're aware OF the robberies. for we
had kept the matter as secret as pos
sible. | went straight up to a young
American gentleman, who l knew had
great many trinkets In his state
room, and was rather careless. too, In
the way he left them lying about.
Don't show any SURPRISE" | whis-
pered, glancing round at the occupants
Of the saloon, but might ask wheth-
er your state room Is locked?'
1T is"
And is the port hole OpenY
Il should think so. | don't want to
find the place as stuffy as the engine
room when l go to turn in"
Well, just pass me your key. I
want to try little experiment. Wait
till I'm gone and then stroll up on
deck. Let yourself be seen-on the
lower deck particularly-bu don't pay
too close attention to any one you may
notice lettering there"
He fell in readily with my scheme.
went and shut myself in his state
room, crouching down so that could
just keep an eye on the port hole over
the top of the lower berth. | remain
ed In that cramped position until my
limbs fairly ached, and | was half in
clined to give it up as bad Job.
But suddenly. as / glanced up at the
port hole, my blood ran cold. and in all
my life | never had such difficulty to
keep down a yell. In the dim light
saw long, thin, hairy arm thrust In
through the opening, The next mo
ment small black hand had fastened
upon a leather case lying close to the
window and withdrawn it as quick as
thought almost.
| sprang to my feet and bolted out
into the passage. / dashed up the sa-
loon stairs and made for the lower
deck. There. just above the spot where
Judged the state room to be situated.
l came fact to face with the Brazilian.
De Castro. In spite of the heat he
was wearing his long cloak with the
deep cape and had his eternal cigar
cite between his teeth. He looked at
me with an air of frank surprise. and
| looked at him with an air of profound
suspicion. Ft4
Suddenly happy Thought flashed
through my mind. j turned round and
sprang down the saloon stairs, run
ming full tilt against the chief stew
ard. who was standing at the bottom.
Nuts / cried. without giving him
time TO recover from his surprise
Really he looked mt me with such
utter CONSERVATION ! verify believe he
was convinced | had taken leave of
my senses.
DO you hearT' / went on excitedly.
Get me handful of .nuts-quickr'
When he brought them, / hurried
back on deck. The Brazilian had
moved away little toward the stern.
! went close up. stood right in front Of
him. and then began deliberately to
crack the nuts
He regarded me with a plying sort
Of look. but I paid little attention 10
him. / was watching that cloak of
his. Presently | saw corner of the
cape drawn aside and beheld pair
Of small cleaning eyes fixed greedily
upon me.
1t was enough. My suspicious were
confirmed | flung the rest If the nut..