The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-07-04
CHAPTER XVI.


about him on either side, thinking 1t pos
sible that> the thief might have taken his
seat in one of them. There was very
little chance of this, however. Next he
passed into the smoking car, where, to
his Joy no less than his surprise, he found
the man of whom he was in search play
ing cards with three other passengers.
He looked up carelessly as Walter ap-
preached, but did not betray the slight
est confusion or sign of guilt. To let the
reader into a secret, he had actually taken
Walters pocketbook, but was too cunning
to keep it about him. He had taken out
the money, and thrown the pocketbook
itself from the car platform, taking an
opportunity when he thought himself un-
observed As the money consisted OF
bills, which could not be identified as Wal
ter's, he felt that he was in no danger
of detection. He thought that he could
afford to be Indifferent.
Ibid you get tired of waiting?" he
asked, addressing our hero.
MAY l speak to you momentT' ask
ed Walter.
Certainly"
Il mean alone"
'Then, gentlemen, must beg to be ex-
cused for five minutes" said the pick
pocket, struggling his shoulders, as if to
express good-natured annoyance. "Now,
my young friend, am at your service"
Walter proceeded to the other end Of
the car, which CHANGED to be unoccupled.
Now that the moment had come, he hard
ly knew how to introduce the subject.
Suppose that the person he addressed
were innocent, it would be rather an awk-
ward matter to charge him with the theft.
did you see anything of my pocket
book ?" he said, at length.
"Your pocketbook J" returned the pick
pocket arching his brows. why, have
you lost it?"
yes"
when did you discover its loss?"
Shortly after you left me-" said Wal
ter, significantly.
I'm very sorry indeed. l did not see
It. Have you searched on the foor?'
Eyes; but it isn't there"
That's awkward. Was your ticket in
the pocketbook?'
mo, had that in my vest pocket
That's fortunate. On my honor, I'm
sorry for you. haven't much money
with me, but I'll lend you dollar or two
with the greatest Of pleasure"
This offer quite bewildered Walter. l1e
felt confident that the other had stolen
his money, and now here he was Offering
to lend him some of it. He did not care
to make such a compromise, or to be
bought of SO cheap; SO, though quite PEN
uiless, he determined to reject the offer.
Il won't borrow" he said, coldly. II
was hoping you had seen my money
The pickpocket turned and went back
to his game, and Walter slowly left the
car. He had intended to ask him point
blank whether he had taken the money.
but couldn't summon the necessary cour-
age. He went back to his old seat,
WELL" said the old gentleman who
rat behind him, II suppose you did not
find your man?"
"Yes, did"
you didn't get your money!" he added.
In surprise.
'No, he was perfectly cool. Etill. I
think he took it. He offered to lend m.
q dollar or two. What would You adj
wise me to dot"
Speak to the conductor"
Just at that moment the conductor en-
tered the car. As he came up the aisle
Walter stopped him, and explained his
loss, and the suspicious he had formed.
You say the man is in the smoking
CARP said the conductor, who had list
sned attentively. Gould you point him
out 2"
Yes"
II am glad Of it. have received
warning By telegraph that one Of the New
York swell-mob is on the train, probably
intent on mischief, but no description
came with it, and had no clew to the
person. I have no doubt that the man
You speak Of il the party. II 20, h Il
familiarity known g slippery Dick !
DO you think you can ct back my
money I" asked Walter, anxiously.
II think there = . chance q 4. Gone