The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-05-05
nv MYSTERIOUS cllGsr.

fulL6adgsd solicitor, started practice
the north Of London.
One morning--ii was hroiisg day
June. rtmembtf--l caught m hnusui
sound In the outer sf.ie ~--.he sound {
heavy, 4 I'm foo,sseps. picked up m
cars At once. A client, no doubt; perhsI
4 rich one. Well. II Was about time Il
some biz Of good tuck TO come my way.
! sat 1t my desk writing assiduously, b.
with ears wide open. Presently hear
the yisitor tqaire, In voice that tounde
quite strange to me;
ID Mr.. Cawthorne ins
Yes, sir,replied wilkins, my ssnior clerl
promptly. What name, sir, please
Meyer mind the nama. He dot at kuo,
me. Just say gentleman wishts to se
him.
Al the stranger stepped iuto my room
rose to receive him. sw4s a big, burl
individual, with broad, red face, NASTY
Jaw and closely cropped hair. He wore
rough tweed suit, ninrel shirt and brow
boots. He b. q soft I'll hat In his hand
ard mopped his brow with grea. cottol
handkerchief, which like Joseph's coat
was Of many c,lors. He was from tn
colonies, c1uld see. That fac. was stamp
cd all over lin.
Now, sir, what can have the pleasure
0, doing for your asksd. when | wa
seated at my desk.
You knew Tom Hslstead, didn't your
Oh, yes; he was an old school chum q
mine. What's become Of hIms
Gone over to the majority, ! fear. Th,
last time met him was In the Transvaal
and he WAS just starting on an expedition
up-country. Since then nothing has bee-
heard Of him, and that's pretty nearly two
years ago.
I'm very sorry 10 hear very sorry,
Poor Tom He was always an adventur-
Gus sort Of fellow.
He remained silent for some time, glanc-
at me GU. Of the corners Of his eyes. ]
was too much occupied, however, In think
Ing Of Halstead's sad fate to pay any par
ticular attention to him. Then | began to
wonder II he had anything further to say,
or IL the sole object OF his visit was to in
form me Of my friends unhappy end.
Well, Mr., | began, and suddenly re-
that he had not mentioned his
name as yet.
Bolder, heput In, Joseph Bolder, sir; or
b ,lder Joe, as they used to call me In
camp.
Well, Mr.. Bolder, do you propose to set
tie in England? went on, thinking that
Il such was bis intentions there might be
some little business to be gotten out Of
him.
That's about what tits, he answered.
want to get hold Of nice, quier place In
the country, not too far from town. Just
,mall house aud few acres Of land You
ion't happen to know anything Of the
Kind?
Not at the moment, but / can make In
luiries.
By the way, you've got good strong
'afe there, he said. Would you mind lock-
ng up this for met II contains some valu-
lbles, and don't want to be carrying 1t
bout with me all day lorg.
Why not deposit 1t at banks | asked.
Id Just as soon leave II with you II you've
10 objection, he said. You see, | will
70 calling here from time to time, and can
axe It away any day may want it.
Very we'll, said, thinking II better to
lumor him.
took the parcel, gave him receipt for
t, and locked 1t up In the bottom drawer
i my safe.
Before leaving he produced large bulky
Envelope, also covered with seals, which be
equested me to take charge Of, as he might
% out OF town for few days. deposited
in the safe with the brown paper parcel.
nd he took his departure.
The end Of ths week came, but not 80
dr. Joseph Bolder. Another week passed
till no sign Of him. thought this rather
TRANCE, and wrote to the address be had |
iven me. The letter was returned, mark |
d "Gone away"
II was we'll into the winter wher, one
ull, raw afternoon, waa seated in my Of
ce, drafting deed ofass'gnment, when
card quick, heavy step outside. wilkins
nocked at my door, poked his head into
he room and annourcsd:
Mr.. Bolder, sir.
Scarcely were the words out Of bis
louth when the man himself entered. He
as wrapped In long black cloak, and pull
the soft felt hat tff his head as he came
,rwaid to greet me.
have been ill-very III, he said hurried
!. You have been advertising for msi
Yer, repli,d, 1 wanted to restore your
roperiy.
Stop be clisd, as l was moving toward
le safe. Don't mind that now. Leave the
IIngs there for the present. want you
come with me at once. have q cab at
e door.
Where tcy / asked.
To my rooms. have charged my ac.
ess. Can you come straizhtawayf /
III mske 1t worth your while.
A few minutes later we were 10 the cab,
wiling along through the busy streets.
I'd now was more struck than ever by
e change In my companion, and especial.
BY his xiraordinaiy y behavior. He kept !
uttering something to hius.lf which |
uld not catch : 1metimes he leantd for /.
nd and peered at the passer-by, some
mes be shrank back Into his corner, as II
xious to avoid observation. I,
EN- not well, he mu.tersd pres emily.
II the cabman to atop q. the neaie II tay-
n; want some brandy.
We pulled up before q public house,
here my companion hastily aiighted. III