Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-05-30

not give you back your watch, but we
can give you the value of it, If you
will tell us what it is-the mere money
value, 1 mean. For, Of course, that is
all we can do"
But even before Clifford could pro-
test against this suggestion, which he
had, indeed, never contemplated for
a moment, the innkeeper burst out
into a torrent Of indignant remon-
STRANGE.
"Me give him twenty pound!
That's what he said he had on him,
an who's to credit it? Who's to prove
it, 1 say? An the vally he likes to set
on his watch, besides? No. that 1
won't. It's my belief it's trmped-up
story altogether, an l dare him 20 fetch
the police in! l dare him to. I say!"
And he gave another thump on the
table.
Avarice as we'll as anger cleaned IN
the mans eyes as he spoke, the avar-
ice of the man who has had to work
hard for small gains.
Clifford looked from the niece to the
uncle, and suspicion Of the latter be-
gan to grow keen. Nell retained her
presence of mind. She went up to the
excited man and put a coaxing hand
upon his shoulder.
"Uncle," she said almost in whis-
per, "you remember there have been
other robberies here"
Her voice sank until the last word
was almost inaudible.
George Claris started violently, and
shook his fist in tho air in tumult of
rage.
81 know there has! I know there
hast" said he, between his teeth. AN
I'd like to catch theNascar as did 'em.
But nobody before as dared to say
you or me was at the bottom of it,
Nell. Nobody before has dared to say
we wasn't honest. Why, man, I've
been settled here these twenty-five
years, and I'm known to every man,
woman and child between Stroan and
Courtstairs. Me take mans watch
or purse-me or my niece! It's plant,
my girl, a plant Of this fine London
gentleman. twenty-five pounds! You
bet it's more than he's worth, every
rag and stick of him. He's heard OF
my misfortures lately. an he's come
an trumped up this story. thinking
it'll be better worth my while to pay
him the money than have another
scandal about the place. But won't
l won't! I'll do time rather"
Clifford was torn with battling emo
tons as he listened to this speech,
which was indeed like that of bro
ken-hearted man. He had not been
able to stem the torrent of the poor
fellows fierce wrath, and it was only
when Claris sank down with his head
upon the table that he was able to say,
very quietly:
81 never thought of asking for COM
pensation, Mr.. Claris. l should not
think Of doing so. All l want is to
clear I'D this detestable puzzle, much
more in your interests than in mine.
I am not rich man, but neither am
a beggar. as you have rather unkindly
suggested. / can afford the loss OF
nv watch and money, but l cannot at
ford to leave you and poor Miss Nell
here without doing my best to hnd
out the cause Of these unfortunate Oc'
currences."
Then Nell looked again in his face
with q smile which made him ready
to 60 on his knees and worship her
for her sweet forDearance.
"Thank you" said she. Then turn
ing to her uncle: 1T will come right"
she said; cor, at least" she added,
hurriedly, 1--WE will hope it may. You
60 back to your work, uncle, and L
will see if 1 can't set my wits to work
and have something to tell you wnen
next meet you"
CIaris allowed himself to be coaxed
into compliance with her wishes, and
presently disappeared into the bar.
Then, when they were alone togetner'
Clifford noticed a sudden alteration IN
her manner toward himself. 1t was
no longer the ccnfiding, childish beha-
vior of light-hearted girl; it was the
responsible gravity OF an older and
thonGhtfnl woman.
-"Y0u are rot to distress yourself,
Mr.. King" she said, quietly. al
though it is terrible thing for us
we are, in a way, used to it, for, as.
you heard me say, there have been two
or three cases OF theft here before. l
hope you a;e not in a hurry to get
back to Stroan, for should like. be-
fore you so, to have a search made or
the house and q few more inquiries"
She would not listen to his protests,
his objections, but left him and went
upstairs. Clifford, miserable and PERI
picked, went out into the garden anN
strolled among the cabbages and car
rots, torn by doubts which he tired
in vain to suppress.
In about ten minutes he saw, from
the corner OF the garden where ne
was smoking his pipe under an apple
tree, Neil coming quickly out OF the
house by the back way. and hylng
like an arrow down to the rivers
bank. From the glimpse he caught
of her face be saw that she looked
scared and guilty, and that she cast
around her the glance of person who
does not wish to be observed.
Hastily unmCoring one of the boats
which lay by the bank she got in,
sculled across the stream, made the
boat fast to the opposite shore and