The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-09-09


 minN hen be glad iet Ho cursed and beat me because l could not do the hard work. I was afraid of my life, slr."
 When we reached tho station, the lad sat down on the baggage truck a' the far end of the platform, and got tickets for two before joined him. The station master was alone and gave us no heed. and when the train came along We were fortunate enough to got compartment to ourselves. Under the lampllght I had chance to look my young friend over. He was a slight, slim boy. with pretty face and winning vuy. I noticed that he had small hands and feet and was neat in his dress. | had intended to ask for full particulars 0f his story when we got settled down on the train. but he was SO nervous and didident that re- trained. had taken brotherly Inter- est in the lad. and it naturally followed that should inquire what he meant to do when we reached London. He re- piled that he dlin't even know the name of a single street and that he was In fear of what might befall him when we reached the end of our jour ney.
 My lodgings were situated in Little Bascomb street and were over the shop of a very respectable jeweler had the whole floor and kept my own man. Just at this time. however. he was ab- sent on a months leave, and the thought came Into my head to take the boy home with me for a couple of weeks. Even before knew his name, which he gave as Tommy West, l had made the offer. He seemed reluctant to accept. and it was only after con siderable urging that he consented to be my guest. as it were, and then l had to promise that he should pass as my young cousin. Next morning, as I got fair sight Ot the lad by daylight, l was somewhat mystiled. He didn't look blt like country boy, and l couldn't imagine what he bad worked at His hair had been cut In the most awkward way and he seemed awk' ward In hls clothes.
 l wanted Tommy Co go out after breakfast and sec London, but he had no curiosity on the subject, and it was only after dark that got him out Of the house for dinner. That evening l told Tommy of my intentions regard ing a place, and. though he thanked me. be did not seem very enthusiastic. In the four days he was with me we were out together only four times and then only to dinner at a modest restau- rant. My demeanor toward the boy was fathcrly, as I wanted to win his confidence. but it seemed to me as if he dreaded conversation and avoided it whenever possible. On the fifth morning he had disappeared from the house. and for an hour I was more mystifed than eyer His clothing had been left behind. and could not make out how he had gone. No note of ex- planation had been left behind.
 I was trying to figure it out and won- dering If I shouldn't go to the police when a detective called to see me. In the course of half an hour 1 was tied up in knots, as it were. On the night l left Kent Sir James Barheld had been murdered. had come up to Lon don with a boy. Tint boy was be- lieyed tO be a woman in disguise. It was a woman's hand which had done Sir James to death. What had done with the boyl He had disappeared, leaving his suit behind An. Just sol But he had first changed to the female apparel in the portmanteau, as was speedily shown. and he had gone out in proper dress. was either a con federate or the biggest fool In England. In either event l must go with the ofii- Ger. was locked up for a week and then admitted to ball, and it was three months before they concluded that l was a fool instead of a confederate.
 Meanwhile all of England was searched for the girl. but she was not found. She lived in London. She was doubtless one of Sir James many vic tlms. She went down there to kin him. and she accomplished her revenge. She played me that she might get safe ly away, and her plan succeeded. She probably went from my house to hel own home and in spite of an their et forts the police could not track her. My friends declare that l ought to have had at least Q year in prison for being SO thick headed, but they are preju- diced. I nm simply a guileless, good natured man, and can't even say that l am sorry the girl eluded pursuit.
 F Rent and For Sale cards for sale