Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-11-27
CHAPTER XVI.

Walter went through two ears, looking
about him on either side, thinking It pos
aible 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 APP
preached, but did not bstray the slight
est confusion or sign Of guilt. To let the
reader into a secret, he had actually taken
Walters pOckstbook, but WaS too cunning
70 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 waiting7" he
Oaked, addressing our hero.
MAY / speak to you q mOmentT' ask
Cd Walter.
Certainly"
II mean alone"
''Then, gentlemen. must beg to be ak
eused for ave minutes" said the pick
pocket, struggling his shoulders, a. II 10
express good-natured annoyance. "Now,
my young friend, l am at your service"
Walter proceeded to the other end Of
the car, which CHANGED to be uAoccupled.
Now that the moment had come, he hard
" knew how to introduce the subject.
Suppose that the person he addressed
were innocent, 1t would be rather an awk.
ward matter to charge him with the theft.
ibid you see anything of my pocket
book?" he said, at length.
"Your pocketbook r. returned the pick.
pocket, arching his brows. why, have
you lost itP"
YES"
"When did you discover its loss?"
shortly after you left me-" said Wal
YER, significantly.
"I'm very sorry indeed. 1 did not see
1t. Have you searched ON the hoor2"
Eyes; but 1t isn't there"
'That's awkward. Was your ticket in
the pOcketboOkr
mo, had that In my vest pocket"
THAT'S fortunate. On my honor, I'm
UOIEy IOE yOus maven uIOucI
with me, but I'll lend you dollar or two
with the greatest of pleasure"
This offer quite bewildered Walter. lie
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 off so cheap; so, though quite pen
uiless, he determined to reject the offer.
II won't borrow" he said, coldly. VI
was hoping you had seen my money"
The pickpocket turned and went back
20 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
sat behind him, 81 suppose you did not
6nd your man"
Eyes, 1 did"
"You didn't get your money!" he added.
In surprise.
mo, he was perfectly COOL Still, |
think he took 1t. He offered to lend m,
a dollar or two. What would you ad-
wise me to do?"
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
carr" said the conductor, who had list,
ened attentively. Gould you point hin
outf'
YES"
az am glad of 1t. I 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 1t, and l had no clew to the
person. 1 have no doubt that the mar
you speak of is the party. If SO, he il
Familiarity known as Slippery Dick ,"
"Do you think you can get back my
money!" asked Walter, anxiously.
II think there Is q chance of 1t. Cons