Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-07

he took care not to show himself. The culprit
aid not remain below any more than long
enough to dispose of the tin box; and then
hastened upstairs again.
The volunteer inspector was rather surprised
at this movement; but it was possible that
-amb bad hiding place for his ilLgotten goods
in the store.
The clerk hustled about, so as to disarm
suspicion; and then went into the counting
room, from the windows of which he could
observe the movements of Lamb in all the
rear portion of the store without being seen
himself; Near the door OF the apartment IN
which Bush had placed himself was row of
closets, in which all the employees kept their
hats and overcoats
Bush looked very sharp when he saw one
Of the closets opened by Lamb. This APP
peared to be the hiding place he had selected,
probably so that, if any. goods were missed,
the clerks, rather than the porters would be
charged with the theft.
| One of these closets was appropriated to
each clerk, for Mr., Longwood was very
methodical man. The one opened was No.
| IS; but Bush could not remember to whom
| it belonged.
! Lamb took from the closet gray overcoat,
and held it up to the light, evidently to
| identify the owner of it. The observer was
deeply interested, for by this time it was plain
that Lamb had some deeper purpose than
merely to steal the goods
/ He distinctly saw Lamb drop the two nap
kin rings into the side pocket of the coat. AS
| he QlQ so, he lOOkeU 1urL1Vely ABOUT StOIc
| to see if any of the clerks were near He
saw no one, and then restored the oyercoat
| to its place in the closet, and shut the door.
Having accomplished his mission to his own
apparent satisfaction, Lamb sauntered leisure
ly to the stairs, and disappeared in the base
ment.
Bush went to No. 18, and satisfied himself
| that the two rings were in the pocket of the
coat, so that here could be no possible mis-.
| take There was a lock and key to each of
| tha doors but only half Of the clerks
! thought it worth while to lock them: But
| Bush supplied the omission so far as No. u
was concerned, and put the key into his
pocket. -, ,
Having accomplished his purpose with the
assistant porter, Bush returned to the safe,
! where Bryan busy removing the goods
to the showcases. To him it looked more
like of conspiracy than one OF simple
theft
II thought you were. to watch Lamb until
Mr. Brill comes," said Bryan, as his COM
panion Joined him.
And he was not little troubled at Bush
Lamb has disposed of the silver, and there
is no need of watching him any longer, re-
Piled Bush, cheerfully, for though he was
mystifed by the action of the assistant poor-
ter, he felt that he held the key OF the
situation.
"Where did he put them?" asked Bryan,
curiousy.
an one of the coat closets. Lamb is try
TO play ueep game OI SOlHe SoIt. w Hde
}up? There is Mr. Longwood coming into the
store at eight o'clock in the morning." said
Bush, as the head of the firm entered at the
sfWhere is Lambert?" asked Mr.. Longwood,
when he came within talking distance of the
clerks.
'Call him, if you please
Bush fastened to obey the order. In
moment he returned, followed by the assistant
porter. ,r
Longwood, and he dared not disobey, as he
would gladly have done But he seemed to
be very bashful, and looked, upon the floor
all the time as he approached his employer.
"Run up to the fremont House and call
carriage for What under the sun is the
matter with you?" demanded Mr.. Longwood.
''Two black eyes!"
Lamb looked as though he wished the floor
would open and let him drop through into the
basement below.
Ito be continued next Sunday.)