Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-15

Written for the Deseret News and copy
rlghted 1906, by George Barton.
TT was just before Christmas that
Barnes had the adventure concern
ing the bishops ring. The Caledonia,
a slow steamer, popular with passen-
gers who loved the sea trip, had been
locked and the voyagers We're coming
down the gangplank one of them was
the bishop, rudy checked and benevo-
lent--a confidlng man who lived In an
atmosphere which breatbed Christian
charity toward the weak and the wick
ed. A tail, slender, bright-eyed young
man walked with the bishop. He was
almost obsequious in his attentions. In
deed, the attitude OF the youth and tho
older man suggested singularly close
degree Of intimacy. They halted In the
center of the pier to make their fare
wells. The bishop put his hand on the
young mans shoulder in n fatherly
way which was one Of his Characters
ties. and at that moment slanting ray
OF sunshine struck the ruby In his epis.
copal ring.
Barnes was standing n few yards.
away and the flash of color attracted
ais attention. 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
deicately engrOssed and contained the
initials and the coat OF arms Of the
bishop. A customs employe stepped up
to hand report to Barnes. and he
promptly forgot about the bishop and
his ring. Presently the ring was re-
called to his mind by the voice OF the
prelate himself:
my dear chief" he said, in his ex-
quisltely modulated voice, IL must
thank you for your kindness in assign
ing that very agreeable young man 10
look after my landing
Barnes looked at the bishop blankly.
MISUNDERSTANDING" he murmured.
Sim afraid / 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 me?'
Visions Of those bright eyes, penctrat-
Ing and opalescent. rose before the
chief.
Eyes, yes" he said hurriedly. What
about him?"
tl,sa.t 49, . .a
toms officer who was so very polite to
me-" "
Customs oflicer?" queried Barnes
"Why, yss." said the bishop with q
trace OF asperity in his voice. Wasn't
he an Inspector"
The chiefs wrath exploded.
inspector the de-"
He halted before the word was I'M
ished, He recognized the fitness Of
things. Profanity was scarcely the
thing before prelate. He became
suave but emphatic.
MY dear bishop. you have been
hoodwinked. The man Is an impostor-
probably thief"
Bless mel" exclaimed the bishop.
Don't lump 10 such cruel conclusions"
At that moment the prelate happened
TO glance down at his hands, He gave
a gasp of pain. Barnes followed hls
glance lnquirngly, The bishop spoke
family;
MY ring; my episcopal ring; it's
gone"
''And 80 has your agreeable friend
retorted the chief grimly
The bishop wrung his hands despair
ingly.
TITS my most precious possession; I'd
give anything to get II back. Can't you
catch the fellow"
Barnes paused, irresolute. Clancy
came up, filled With his besetting SIN
curiosity.
~.rs scarcely customs business, .nls
larceny OF your ring" the chief said
argumentativey, addressing tho atmos-
phere.
But" he said, answering himself
LIS fellow impersonated customs Of
hGer, that's my business"
The idea inspired immediate action.
CLANCY" he said, did you see a tall
thin man, with eyes that make YOU
feel creepy? He jast left here. We
need HIM"
-sure," replied Clancy brlskly. "The
Fellow jumped on trolley car az the
foot OF the hill"
Gomez. shouted Barnes.
They bolted from the wharf, leaving
the bishop looking after them In
ama2ement when the prelate recov-
cred his presence OF mind he started to
hunt for his niece, who had become
separated from him during the con-
fusion of landing.
TITS ten to one this interesting bunco
steerer's gone to the New York Central
station,P said Barnes 10 Clancy as
their trolley car speeded IN that direc-
ton.
There was something very familiar
about that fellow" resumed the chief.
II think so. too" agreed Clancy
There was silence for several blocks.
Presently Clancy grabbed his superior
By the sleeve and almost shouted In his
ear:
remember him now; he's the man
that smuggled the Swiss watches last
year"
"Heyl?"
"Surew
II believe you're right. Clancy" as
scented Barnes. scratching his head In