Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-16
Copyright. 1896, by George Barton.

fAHOnNIlElL4
I-T WAS lust before Christmas that
b Barnes had the adventure CON
AAA corning the bishops ring. Inc
.dR7T9oI Caledonia, a slow steamer popu-
SR lar with passengers who loVeo the
sea trip, had been locked and the Voyagers
were coming down the gangplank. one OF
them was the bishop, rudy checked ahc
benevoent-a confdlng man who hVed III
an atmosphere which breathed Christian
charity toward the weak and the wicked
A tall. slender, bright-eyed young man
walked with the bishop. lie was almost
obseuuious in his attentions Indeed, the
attitude OF the youth and the older man
suggested a sngularly close degree OF IN
timacy. They halted in the center Of the
pier to make their farewells. The Dlshop
put his hand on the young mans shoulder
in a fatherly way which was one OF his
characteristics, and at that moment
slanting ray Of sunshine struck the ruby
in his episcopal ring.
Barnes was standing a few yards away
and the flash of color attracted his atten-
ton The bishops ring was unique and
costly. The ruby was oval in shape and
mounted without facets, while the gold
band of the setting was delicately en-
crossed and contained the initials and the
coat Of arms OF the bishop. A customs
employee stepped up to hand report to
Barnes, and he promptly forgot about the
bishop and his ring. Presently the thing
was recalled to his mind by the voice OF
the prelate himself:
my dear chief" he said, in his exaui-
sitely modulated voice, II must thank you
for your kindness in assigning that very
agreeable young man to look after my
landing"
Barnes looked at the bishop blanbly.
Assigning landing" he murmured
I'm afraid I don't understand"
The bishop laughed pleasantly at the
chiefs apparent lapse of memory.
''Of course you noticed the young man
who came down the gangplank with me2"
Visions Of those bright eyes, penetrating
and opalescent, rose before the chief.
Yes, yes" he said hurriedly. ''What
about him?"
Nothing, except that he was the Gus
toms officer who was 50 very polite to
me-"
Customs ohicer?" queried Barnes.
why, yes" said the bishop with a trace
OF asperity in his voice. Wasn't he an
Inspector"
The chiefs wrath exploded.
Inspector the de-"
He halted before the word was finished.
He recognized the fitness OF things Pro
family was scarcely the thing before a pre-
my dear bishop you have been hood
winlted, The man is an impostor-probably
q thief"
BLESS mel" exclaimed the bishop Don't
Jump to such cruel conclusions"
AZ that moment the prelate happened to
glance down at his hands. He gave a gasp
OF pain. Barnes followed his glance inQuir-
ingly. The bishop spoke family;
MY ring: my episcopal ring; its gonsi"
And 30 has your agreeable friend" re-
torted the chief grimly.
The bishop wruRg his hands despairnEiy.
TITS my most precious possession; ia
give anything to get It back. Can't you
catch the fellow?"
Barnes paused irresoiute. Clancy came
up. ruled with his besetting sin-curiosity.
TITS scarcely customs business this lar
ceny Of your ring" the chief said argu-
mentatively. addressing the atmosphere
But" he said, answering himself the
fellow impersonated q customs oh1cer;
that's my business"
the ida inspired immediate action.
Clancy" he said. did you see a tall.
thin man. with eyes that make you feel
creepy? He Just left here We need him. -
Sure" replied Clancy, bTiskly The Eel
low jumped on a trolley car at the foot Of
the hill"
AOllol 1LuuLeQ Barnes,
They bolted from the wharf, leaving the
bishop looking after them in anazsmsnt
When the prelate recovered his presence OF
mind he started 70 hunt for his nieoe, who
had become separated from him during the
confusion Of landing.
TITS ten 10 one this interesting bunoo
steerer's gone 20 the New York Central
station" said Barnes to Clancy as thelV
trolley car speeded IN that direction.
There was something very familiar
about that fellow" resumed the chief
Il think 50. too" agreed Clancy.
There was silence for several hooks
Presently Clancy grabbed his superior by
the sleeve and almost shouted I'm his ear;
Il remember him now he's the man thai
Hmuggled the Swiss watches last year"
''Heyg'
Sure"
Il believe you're right, Clancy" assenteC
Barnes. scratching his head In an EFFORT L
refresh his memory. IF that's %, tbii
AFFAIR is bigger than We reckonsd"
As they entered the station the tau
bright eyed man was talking In animated
tones 70 a beautiful young girl who wor,
q picture hat and a ravishingly becominl
EOwn. A thickset man In a storm Goa
stood with them.
who's the girl2" whispered Barnes
His pair exclaimed Clancy promptly
'In bet they've worked many conndenc,
game together"
Ths girls attractive face was framed Il