Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-29

Good evening" Ringing the bell at his
elbow-'I can't say l hope we shall
meet again; it would be inpolite. No,
don't let me keep you. Good-by again. /"
"Good-by. Sir John" said, taking
his impatient ha,ll and shaking it gently:
"God bless you"
"Thanlsee." grinned the old man with
sardonic chuckle. IF anything could
do mo good that will, I'm sure. Good
by"
AS brealffasted next morning preyi-
ously to my departure could not help
rejecting on the different position in
which was now returning to England
AS a colonel on long leave-to that In
which had left 1t many, do not care
to think how many, years ago, the
youngest ensign in the regiment.
1t was curious to remember that in nv
youth had always been considered the
fool Of the family; most unjustly SO con-
sidered, when look back at my quick
promotion owing to casualties, and at
my long and prosperous career In India,
which cannot but regard as the result
Of high principles and abilities, to say the
least OF 1t, of not the meanest order. On
the point of returning to England the
trust Sir John had, with his usual shrewd-
ness. reposed In me was an additional
proof, If proof were needed, Of the conf
dence had inspired In him-a conf
dence which seemed to have ripened
suddenly at the end Of his life, after
many years Of hardly concealed mockery
and derision. Just as / was finishing
my reflections and my breakfast Dickson,
one of the last Joined subalterns, came in.
This is very awful" hesaid, so grave
ly that l turned to look at him.
What is awful?'
Don't you know he replied.
last night
"DeadT' asked.
He nodded and then he said:
Murdered in the night. Cathcart
heard noise and went in and stumbled
over him on the floor. AS he came in he
saw the lamp knocked over, and a figure
rush out through the veranda. The
moon was bright and he saw man run
across q clear space in the moonlight
tall, slightly built man in native dress,
but not native, Cathcart said; that no
would take his oath on by his build.
He reused the house. but the man got
clean of, Of course"
"And Sir John!.
"Sir John was quite dead when Cath
cart got back to him. He found him
lying on his face. His arms were spread
out and his dressing gown was torn as
If he had struggled hard. His pockets
had been turned inside out, hts writing
table drawers forced open, the whole
room had been ransacked. Yet the old
mans gold watch had not been touched,
and some money in one of the drawers
had not been taken. What on earth is
the meaning of it alp said young Diok-
son, below his breath. What was the
thief AFTER
In o moment the truth flashed across
my brain. l put two and two together
as quickly as most men, fancy. The
jewelsl Some one had got wind of the
Jewels which at that moment were re-
posing on my own person in their old
brown bag. Sir John had been only Just
in time.
What was he looking fors" continued
Dickson. walking up and down. 1.-THE
old man must have had some paper or
other about him that he wanted to get
hold Of. But what? Cathcart says that
nothing whatever has been taken, as far
aS no can see at present"
Twas perfectly silent. It Is not every
man who would have been so in my
place, but was. know when to hold
my tongue, thank heavenl
Presently the others came in, all full of
the same subject, and then suddenly
remembered that it was getting late;
and there was hustle and leave talk
ing, and had to post off before could
hear more. Not, however. that there
was much more to hear, for everything
seemed to be in the greatest confusion,
and every species Of conjecture was aaoaa
as to the real criminal and the motive
for the crime.
Ihad not much time to think Of any.
thing during the first day on board, yet,
busy as I was in arranging and rearrang.
Ing my things, poor Old Sir John neve,
seemed quite absent from my mind. His
image, as I had last seen him, constantly
rose before me. and the hoarse whisper
was forever sounding In my ears, I'm
watched know I'm watchedi" Icould
not get him out Of my head. was un
able to sleep the first night was on
board, and as the long hours wore ON J
always seemed to see the pale, searching
eyes OF the dead mani and above the
manifold noises of the steamer and the
perpetual tapping Of the calm water
against my ear came the. whisper. "rm
watched know I'm watchedis