The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-08-17
But YOU will begin another search-at

Ol uncertainty. u iHOuSlt II Nouiu DC
better for both il acquainted hinr in
writing with the extent of his loss. SO
l sat down and broke it gently to him in
my best handwriting. On the following
morning | dispatched the note. together
with the purse which he had previously
given me, by the saloon steward.
As l anticipated, he came aft imme-
diately after perusing it. | was leaning
against the skylight chatting with the
mate when he approached.
Perhaps you consider this an exquisite
joke, DIR. Walton" said he Jelly. holding
my letter aloft, 'but l assure you it is a
very serious matter to me-"
"Mr. Bentleigh," said l, ''as God is my
witness, what have written is the truth.
l regret exceedingly what has occurred,
but / think even you will be forced to
admit it was through no carelessness on
my part. Mr.. Riley witnessed the acct
dent and will corroborate my story"
WELL" said the mate, thus appealed to,
81 certainly saw the sea strike the doc.
tor. Some time afterward he came up
from the saloon and said he had lost a
package belonging to you. We searched
for it. but couldn't find it."
This candid statement by the mate, who
evidently had no desire to commit him
self in any manner, did not improve my
case in the least, and Mr.. Bentleigh left
the poop in very bad humor. 1t was
perfectly obvious he was not convinced
of my sincerity.
From this time onward he visited me
almost daily in my stateroom on some
pretext or another, and on each occasion
he carefully scrutinized every nook and
corner of the apartment, as if he beiev-
ed his blessed manuscripts were conceal
ed somewhere in the bulkheads.
After leaving the ship and until could
secure passage in a homeward bound
vessel | engaged a sitting room in a
boarding house in retired street in the
city within two minutes walk of the
botanic gardens. had only been there
a short time when | had suspicion,
which soon amounted to certainty, that
some one was tampering with my effects.
Seine wearing apparel which | had de-
posted in a chest of drawers was fire.
Quently disarranged. and even my travel
ing trunks, which kept locked. had been
opened and their contents turned upside
down.
One evening. when dining at a restau-
rant in George street. casually mention
ed the matter to Detective kirkham of
the Sydney police, with whom had
struck up an acquantanceship.
ITS not your landlady," said he. Its
either the maid or some of the other
boarders. Have you missed anything?"
81 can't be positive, but | don't think
anything has been taken
stop a minute" said he as if struck
by an idea. There is countryman of
yours just arrived by the Orizaba, to
whom your story might be interesting
If you have nothing to do this evening
We'll make a move shortly and inter-
view him"
1t was late that night before we sue
ceeded in finding the new arrival at his
hotel.
"Dr. Walton" said the detective, let
me introduce to you a professional col
league-lnspector Largeness of the York
shire constabulary."
| bowed to the sharp featured, intel
ligent looking man who had risen to re-
ceive us.
Il brought my friend round, Mr.. Large
ness" continued the detective, because
have an idea that he Travelled out with
=
any photographer
The inspector produced his pocketbook,
extracted Il carte de viSite and handed
it to me with an eager, questioning look
One glance sutliced to show me that it
was my fellow passenger, Bentleigh. |
related how | had lost Bentleigh's pre-
cious manuscripts on board the ship.
They both burst out laughing.
american debenture bonds and other
valuable securities" said the inspector.
That's what the packet would contain -
who is he. them" | asked.
His real name is Arthur Ernest Jeb-
son. He practiced as a solicitor, and
after embeZzling large sums of money,
which he lost gambling on the Stock Elk.
change, he absconded with various Sc
curities which had been intrusted to him
by his clients. We discovered some time
later that he had sailed for Sydney. and
| was sent to bring him back
Then" said |, a light suddenly break
ing upon me, "do you think it is he who
has been tampering with my things?"
Not a doubt of it. He has traced you
to your lodgings. should like to take
stock of your diggings tonight, if you
have no objection"
Come along. then" said l.
The three of us passed out and a few
minutes walk brought us to our destina-
ton. AS we crossed over | observed a
man steal out of the French window of
my sitting room, which opened on to a
veranda, stare down at my companions,
and hastily enter the adjoining window.
BY the light from gas lamp in the street
| instantly recognized Benteigh.
Before he could be arrested he had shot
himself through the head.-Penny Pic
torial Magazine.