The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-06-03


diamond rings. but people, were able
to lose themselves with unexampled
facility
When re-entered our car. Belden
had vanished. glanced hastily to-
ward seat No. 5. The hat and grip
were still there.
"Your friends gone to find the con-
ductor." said the man in seat No. IL.
"At least l think So He asked me If !
remembered which way the conductor
went. He seemed rather excited"
At this moment the man in seat No.
rose hastily. In fact, he came up as
if propelled by a spring. He turned
toward US, leaning with one hand upon
the chair back. The other hand was
at his breast. His mouth hung open:
his eyes stared
MY pocketbookp' he gasped.
Instinctively thrust my hand inside
my waistcoat, where In pocket which
had always thought to be beyond the
reach Of thieves l had been accus-
timed to carry the bulk of my imme-
date funds. The pocket was empty.
The man In No. II looked from one
to the other of us, and he grinned- His
hands were in his trousers pockets.
MY moneys all right" said he. Il
didn't have much. but He paused
and then suddenly clapped his hand to
his tie. by lingo! My pins goner'
HE touched me for better than
thousand said No. s, and | saw him
moisten his dry lips with his tongue.
81 suppose there's no doubt ] be-
gan, and finished the sentence by
pointing to seat No. 5.
Nonsense" said No L. cit was the
girl She made the bluff of dropping
the ring, knowing what we'd do, and
while we were all butting our heads
against the furniture and she was
reaching over us, pointing out likely
places Oh, oh. OIL What set of
easy marks!'
but where's the manY' demanded.
"There are his things" retorted No
u He's still on the train. But
where's the grip
Miss Leigh was kind enough to per-
NIT sort Of Introduction between her
self and me- said l. II may perhaps
claim the right to defend her, since
there is no one else here who knows
her at all, and | would like it to be
understood that nothing further must
be said which touches her good name
and that what has been said must be
withdrawn"
No. II looked me In the eye He was
firm in his opinion and man of nerve.
! could see him hardening his heart
for reply that would create very
strained situation. Then suddenly his
expression changed to one Of astonish-
ment He was looking over my Shout
der. turned and saw Miss Leigh.
Behind her was Belden, and behind
him was Anderson. The conductor
brought up the rear.
Miss Leigh came straight to me.
1T was that manv' she cried. you
were right I've got my ring again"
And she held up her hand to show it.
after you left me went to the rear
platform Of the car" she continued
1.-THE train was stopping, and had
your words in mind. l thought that
man might get off, and he did. And
when saw that he had another hat
on-a soft one that must have been
folded In his pocket-then l knew for
sure. And ran after him, and just as
caught him Mr. Anderson caught him
too. He's in the baggage car now, and
Mr.. Anderson has all your things"
yes" said Anderson. with his pc
culiar drawl, when ! saw Tony Jack
Wallace quitting US like that and pull
ing out his folder hat knew some
thing was queer. so | just trailed
along. Nobody quicker than Tony Jack
to take advantage of little accident
like the lady dropping the diamond.
I'll bet he had it before it touched the
floor. See him do it? Why, that man
could take your shoes off your feet
and you wouldn't know It. Working
the trains is his speciality, and he al