The age-herald., 1901-11-24

doing hcre7 His home was in quite an- other direction. With the natural vatchful suspicious instinct that is born cs such a life as mine. 1 dropped back keeping the boyish figure. with the tap ping stick. and slow. deliberate gait, in sight.
 So we went on until I had nearly reached my destination; then a horrible thing happened. Whether the boy had become conscious that I was following him I do not know, but suddenly he darted across the road. There was cry of warning followed by a shrill scream. and a sickening heap lay under a horses feet. which shuddered once or twice convulsively and then grew quite still [ spoke to the nearest policeman and had the poor crushed figure taken into the ChIsfs office, where it was laid in an empty room ard doctor sum- moned- Ills verdict was what had feared. The boy was dead. and merci- l fully he must have been killed almost inn mediatelv-
 Both the Chief and were very much upset by what had occurred, and 1t was some time before we could discuss the business thar had brought me. Then I handed him the packet of papers.
 MT. Watson brought them yesterday morning I said. "and when your tel
 
 town. I did not feel very comfortable about keeping them all night However. fortunately. nothing has happened'
 My teiegram?' he said looking at me in surprise. "I did not send you one. have not been out of town"
 A cold chill crept over me.
 "What7' I exclaimed. But you must have heeni To make quite sure tne tel egram vas not a trick I sent poor young Arkwright here. and he. too. said you were away" The Chief shook his head gravely.
 T was here all day yesterday" he said This Is serious. There has been some treachery at work. and that unhappy boy must have ben mixed up in It."
 In any case. fortunately. 1t must have failed. I said. flor here are the napcrs quite safe
 Yes. safe enough" said the Chief dryly. but f they have been seen they are quite worthless"
 But that is impossibler' I cried From the time they came into my pos session. I never left the house until [ brought them to you. They were locked up when I went to bed last night, and l found them in the same place this morning. The only person from outside have seen during this time was Ark wright. and he-whatever evil intentions be may have had-was prevented by his affliction from knowing the contents even supposing he had had the papers in bis hands. which seems to me a practi- cal impossibility. If the house had been forcfbly entered at night there would surely be some sign of it. and the pa- pers would not be here now"
 Tt seems incomprehensible." returned the Chief. but am convinced some mis- chief has been done though you are en- tfrely blameless in the matter. We have some of the sharpest brains in Europe against us. and it is impossible that we should always score. If the papers have been looked at-as I am disposed to think-they would very likely have been put back to disarm suspicion. and give the rascaIs more time. There was a man in whom I am interested in Gower street last night If he is there still. will be- lieve that these papers,. tapping the packet. have not been tempered with. I will send and enquire"
 We waited almost in silence, until the messenger returned.
 MT. Lalonde has gone away. sir. Left early this morning"
 The Chief looked at me when we were alone again. but I was too disheartened to make any remark.
 Now said he. we must discover who had those papers. I put the man in Giower street out of the question, he is not of the material of which a mid night burglar is made. and it is certain that who ever saw them must have done so last night after you went to bed. There only remains young Arkwright to whom suspicion points. and he is blind" Beyond a doubt?'' questioned.
 Beyond a doubt. The Chief leaned back in his chair. frowning heavily, and appeared to be lost in thought. I sat | watching him anxiously. unable to for | mulate any theory myself. I felt com | pletely bewildered. There was a sharp | knock at the door and the Chief looked | up
 Come in" he said. and a member of his stan entered in whom I knew the | Chief reposed great confidence.
 T thought you ought to see this. sir he said. putting strange looking apa- ratus. Tt was found in pocket of Ark wright's overeoat."
 What is it?' asked the Chief curious Iy Some new instrument of destruc- ticn by chance2 haven't the least idea" What 1 believe should be called a blessing to humanity, sir. though in Ark wright's hands I am inclined to think it has proved a blessing in disguise, as far as we are concerned. for you certain ly would not have let him go in and out