The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-24

had withdrawn the colonel, as he lighted
his cigar. suddenly said: Now, my dear
fellow. out with 1t. What's gone wrong
with your"
Mr.. Bennett told the whole story. and the
colonel listened with an amused smile.
When It was ended he said: .what an
amazing piece OF luck for you the stealing
OF your coat has BEEN, I could not have
helped you to get rid OF the thing. for
haven't an inch Of ground where II
could be buried. Now the thief has the re-
sponslbility of getting rid Of It, and 1t Will
teach him a lesson on the sinfulness OF
stealing overcoats.'
But" urged the clergyman. who can
tell what mischief II may do in his hands.
Perhaps at this very moment II Is about
to blow the poor wretch into eternity!'
'If II does, I guess eternity can stand
it." replied the colonel. Don't worry
about him. You've got rid Of the bomb in
the only possible way, and II 1 was q
clergyman should look on the Occurrences
as providential."
II suppose" said Mr.. Bennett, resignedly.
"that ought to feel thankful. but ! can't
help feeling nervous and miserable. shau
get away from Altberg early tomorrow,
and I do hope that nobody will be blown
up while I am here"
At that moment the maid entered. .Tf
you please, SIR" she said addressing the
colonel, 1T found this In the hall, and mis-
tress said should bring 1t to you at
once"
1t was the bomb and Mr.. Bennett.
speechless with terror lest the maid should
drop IT, turned nearly as white as the Ia
blecloth The colonel did not lose his pres
ence of mind. He placed 1t on the table
beside him, and when the maid had LETT
the room he said with laugh: 1T seems
that we were In too big a hurry. we
haven't got rid Of your bomb yet"
For heavens sake be careful!' cried
Mr.. Bennett. III you drop 1t there VIII
be an explosion"
II rather think not" replied the colonel,
examining the bomb "rhere are no per-
cussion caps on the ends of these tubes,
and can't see how the thing can be ex-
ploded without them. Besides. Judging
from the weight of It. doubt II 1t Is
loaded" SO saying he put his lips to one
Of the tubes and blew smartly through IT,
The air rushed out freely from the tubes
at the opposite end of the bomb.
'"That settles itv' said the colonel. Your
bomb is as empty as the average police
mans head
gan the clergyman.
IT mean to say" replied his friend. that
there isn't grain OF powder or Of any
other explosive In that bomb. See here!'
he continued, as he unscrewed the two
halves of the cylinder. ITS perfectly
empty, ana you've nad all yQur misery io'
nothing"
Mr.. Bennett sat silent for a moment. and
then, with a sudden blow of his fist on the
table, exclaimed, Jerusalem the golden?
That's a pretty weak swear" said the
colonel sadly. but suppose it's the best
you can do, being a clergyman. II you'd
like to have me send for my coachman
he might help you little. He can swear
blue streak In German. and perhaps 1t
would be a relief to your mind to hear
him. No? Well, have things your own
way. Considering that this Is the season
for feeling kindly towards all men We'll
drink the health of the thief that stole
your overcoat and then we'll join the la
dies. Don't you forget that IL 1t hadn't
been for that thief you'd have been worry
ing about that bomb until you'd have wor-
ried yourself into lunatic asylum before
next Christmas"