Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-11-05

would search out forgotten pleasures.
The building Of St. James Street
had made great advance sinoe last
he saw 1t, but he observed to his
satisfaction that the entrance to the
snbterranean passages were not ahso
lutely closed, and he did not doubt
that many Of the old night-hawlss
were still IN possession His aston
ishment. therefore, was considerable
when, upon dropping into the first
Of the passages, figure sprang UP
and clutched him by the troat while
a hand thrust a lantern into his face
and a pair Of black eyes regarded
him with amazed curiosity.
"a slap-up toff, so help me Jimmy.
And what may your Royal Higbness
be doing this way-what brings yoil
to this pretty parlor? Now, speak
up, my lad, or 1t will go queer with
you"
Alban knew in an instant-his long
experience taught hin--that he had
fallen into the hands Of the police,
and his first alarms were very real.
What right have you to question
me?"
"Oh, we'll show you right sharp
enough. Now, you be brisk--what's
your name and what are you doing
here?"
81 am the son of Mr.. Richard Cess
ner of Hampstead and used to know
this place. came downe to have
look at it before the building is finish
ed. If you doubt me let US go to
Mr.. Gesner's house together and he
will tell you who am"
1t was a proud thing to say and he
said 1t with pride. That thrill of
| satisfaction which attends a fine de-
claration of identity came to Alban
then as 1t has done to many great
man in the hour Of his vanity. The
son of Richard Gessner-yes, his pat.
ron would acknowledge him for that!
The police themselves admitted the
title by almost instant capitalization.
| well, sir, it's queer place to
come to, / must say, and not very
safe either for gentleman in your
position, Why didn't you ask one Of
us to bring you down? We'd have
done 1t right enough, though not to-
night perhaps
Then you're out on husiness?"
You couldn't have guessed better
sir. We're here with the nets and
there will be behring's to salt in the
morning. II you care to wait five
minutes you may look into the bundle
Here's two or three of them coming
along now and fine music they're
making, must say. Just step aside
a minute, sir, while we give hand.
That's wman's voice and she's not
been to the Tabernacle. I shouldn't
wonder if it was the flower girl that
hobnobs with the parson-oh, by no
means, oh, dear, no.
He raised his lantern and turned
the light of it full on the passage dis
| closing a spectacle which brought q
flush of warm blood to Adams cheek
and filed him with certain sense Of
shame he could not defend. For there
were three of his old friends, 40
others than Sarah and the Archbishop
of Bloomsbury with the boy Betty
the latter close in the custody Of the
! police who dragged him headlong,
regardless of the girls shrieks and
the ex clergymans protests upon their
cruelty For an instant Alban was
tempted to fee the place to deny his
old friends and to surrender to base
impulse Of his pride; but a better in
stinct saving MIN he interviewed bold
ly and Immediately declared himself
to the astonished company
'These people are friends Of mine
he said, to the complete bewilder-
ment of the constables, please to
tell me why you are charging them?
"Gawd Almight-if 1t amt Mr.
Kennedy!"- this from the woman.
Indeed" said the clergyman, with
a humility foreign to him. 81 am
very glad to see you, Alban. Our
friend "Betty" here is accused OF
theft. am convinced feel as
sured that the charge is misplaced
and that you will be able to help us
Will you not tell these men that you
know us and can answer for oul
honesty"
The lad Betty said nothing at all
His eyes we're very wide open, a
heavy hand clutched his ragged col
lar and the police stood about him
as though in possession of oonvic.
ed criminal.
"a young lad, sir, stole a GOLD
match. box from gentleman and ha:
got it somewhere about him now
Stand up. you young devil--none Of
your barney. Where's the box now
and what have you done with it?''
Il picked it up and give it to Cap
tain Forrest-so help me Gawd, it..
true. Arst him if didn't
The sergeant laughed openly at the
story
"He run two of our men from The
National Sporting right round Coveat
Garden and back, SIR" he said to AL
ban. 'The gentleman dropped thu
box and couldn't wait. But we'll SCI
about all that in the morning.
"Tf you mean Captain Forrest q
the Trafalgar Club, I have just lef
him. interposed Alban quickly
"this lad has been known to me fo
some years and am positively sure
he is not thief. Indeed | will an
swer for him anywhere-and If ht
,, did pick up the box, l can promis'
you that Captain Forrest will not pro
secute."
He turned to Betty and aske,
him an anxious question.
. SIS it true, Betty-did you pick III
. the box?"
=