The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-15

I'll get ropes around that safe and We'll
hoist il up on the side of the boat away
from the shore, apd hang IL in slings,
three or four feet under water. Then
III pretend that can't find il, and as
soon as the sun gets low I'll give up the
Job for the night. Wen tow the safe
20 some good place, and hoist 1t in"
The three men felt that this plan in
yolved less risk than the other, and
they wondered why they had not
thought of il in the beginning. Glea-
son went into the water again, and in
the course of half an hour. his design
had been accomplished.
Newcombe did not know what had
been done. He thought that Gleason
spoke the truth when he finally an
aounced TO the officials on the bank that
he could not find the safe, and would
have to give up the search for that
day.
1t happened that the divers boat,
which had been engaged by telegram
before Gleason and his companions had
appeared on the scene, arrived at this
luncture; so the railroad and express
ION to continue the work. The anchor
was hoisted. and the boat slowly
moved back toward the pier from which
she had been taken.
Newcombe felt that the adventure
was at an end, and he experienced u
sense of disappointment. He would
rather have seen a successful robbery.
Yet he had enjoyed the novel situation,
and he felt that he had CLEANED much.
1t was now time to say good-by to his
chance acquaintances, for pressing
business would claim him on the fol-
lowing day. To keep up the decep-
tion which he had practiced upon them
would do no good. lie resolved to APP
pear in his true character, in order that
he might say a few words at parting
which would help these misguided men
toward better life.
And so, with little preface, he broke
.he truth TO Harris, Gleason and Pinrcy,
as soon as the boat had started for her
pier. The surprise of the three men
could he imagined. They listened to
his story and to his exhortation in a
sort of trance which seemed TO him to
be very respectful and encouraging.
"Mr. Newcombc," said Gleason at
last, ~ believe that your words have
fallen on good ground, and have saved
myself and my companions from the
pcrpctration of n crime. AS a matter
of fact, Mr.. Newcombe, we have stolen
that safe"
"Impossiblc!" cried the criminoo-
glst.
"Yet true" said Gleason, and he dis
played to Newcombe's wondering eyes
the safe that had come out of the bag
gage car, and had been set into the
boats cabin.
"And now" Gleason continued" ,"let me
prove that our repentance is sincere.
Although we might easily overpowcr
you and continue in our wicked way,
we prefer to take your advice, and undo
what we have done. Mr.. Newcombe,
will you help us? Will you restore
this safe to it's rightful owner? And
will YOU plead for us with them?"
II WILL" cried Newcombe, promptly.
No sooner had the boat reached her
pier than Ncwcombe rushed oil for q
dray in which the safe could be carr
ried back to the place of the wreck.
The safe was put on the dray, and New
combe took the reins.
1t was agreed that the three crooks
should wait for Newcombe's return,
with such answer rs the railroad men
might make to the prayer for forgive
ness.
Great was the sensation when New.
combe appeared with the dray and the
safe at the scene of the wreck. The
divers had just announced that the safe
was not on the river bottom, and suspi-
cion had begun to dawn upon the blue
coated officials OF the line. They
pounced upon Newcombe, who, smiling
agreeably, sat upon the drivers scat OF
the dray.
81 return to you your treasure quite
unharmed." he said. II desire no
thanks, but only mercy"
"The man is crazy!" exclaimed one
of the officers. This is not the right
safe. Why, it hasn't been wet. And,
besides, where is the letter A?"
Nevertheless, this is the safe" said
Newcombe with so much calmness that
he impressed all his hearers. "Open il
and be convinced. But first tell me
what was in the other safe"
Nothing but the package of money"
said one of the men. "All the papers
and books were in another ear"
AS he spoke he worked the combina-
ton of the lock, and, being an expert in
that matter, he soon succeeded in open
ing the safe. Throwing back the doors,
he plunged in his hand and drew forth
scaled package. He broke the safe
and drew forth eighty one thousand
dollar bills!
"lt's all right" he said. "This must
be the safe. But how you got IL, and
how it escaped going overheard, is more
than l know. You will have to explain
that to the police"
Willingly" said Newcombe, aud he
submitted TO arrest.
At that moment Harris Gleason and