Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-09-23
CHAPTER MI.
Josiah Finds n Fresh Job.


Meanwhile the "AIystery of Ernest
Norton" as it came to be called in
newspaper paragraphs, had. so far, de-
fed the efforts Of Scotland Yard and
Of Mr.. Josiah Skinner to unravel. The
missing porter had. indeed. been
traced TO an unsavory den in Clerllen-
well; but the evidence elected from
him merely proved him to be a liar as
well as a drunkard. Driven into cor
ner, he had to confess that he had torn
up the telegram intrusted to him, and
had subsequently lied to the station
master to save himself from reprimand
or dismissal.
'Well," remarked Josiah to a Scot
land Yard confrere, this absolves the
missing man from what looked like a
clear proof of treachery, at all events.
AS he never got the telegram, he could
not have known the girl was following
him, and so, of course, he didn't NEE,
her.
''rhat's So" ass-nted the Other one,
W'icks by Eame. "and it doesn't exact
~ favor the voluntary disappearance
theory"
NO" said Josiah, sit doesn't In
fact. pretty we'll give up that theory
when found out he had been person
ated at the bank. There's a strong fla
vor OF foul play about the case now,
Dick"
Two cabmen had called at Exeter
street. each claiming to have driven Il
gentleman corresponding more or less
to the description given. But much
troublesome inquiry as to the subse-
quent movements and identity of these
hot To
be total strangers to Ernest Norton.
Assuming the latter to have reached
Waterloo, all further trace of him van
ished at that station as though the
earth had opened and swallowed him
up. The only possible conclusion at
which the detectives could arrive was
that he had not quilted the station at
all, but had proceeded by rail to some
destination unknown and, apparently,
undiscoverable.
AS for the man with the piercing
gray eyes, who had successfully hood
winked the bank manager, the chances
of tracing him upon more general de-
scription, were too remote to be seri-
ously entertained. The only reasonable
possibility Of ever obtaining a clue to
his whereabouts seemed to lie in the
contingency that he might. sooner or
later, seek to negotiate another draft.
Upon the whole, therefore, the case
babe fair to take it's place in the limbo
of insoluble mysteries. Scotland Yard
shrugged it's shoulders. and Josiah
Skinner would probably have done the
same but for the arrival one day at his
| office of portly dame, who announced
herself as Mrs. Martha Baxter, of the
George Hotel Southampton
81 know from Miss Zanas letters"
said the worthy landlady, proceeding
straight to business, that you have
been helping her to find that scamp
Who deserted her, and the very last
time she wrote she confessed that her
eyes had at length been opened to the
mans real character. That is all very
we'll; and l was glad to hear it. But
what has become Of the girl herself?
| l have fretted and Worried about her
until could stand it no longer, and
I'm come UP to London to find her.
Where is she? She left the hotel in
Craven street weeks ago. Where has
! she gone to-"
I'm sure I don't know" acknowl-
edged Josiah. ut was no part of my
business to watch her movements. al
though confess was a bit surprised
at the suddenness Of her departure"
well, instead of wasting your time
looking for that wretch" rejoined Mrs.
Baxter rcsolutely, you must find her
for me. Ill pay your charges, what
ever they are
ooh, l daresay 1 shall trace her
easily enough" said Josiah; "and, as