Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-08-21
rCHAPTER XVI,

Walter went through two cars, looking
about him on either side, thinking it 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.
did you get tired of waiting?" he
asked, addressing our hero.
May speak to you a momentf" ask
ed Walter.
Certainly"
81 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
oook?" he said, at length.
Your pocketbook - 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
1t. Have you searched on the floor?"
Yes; but it isn't there"
That's awkward Was your ticket in
the pocketbook?'
No, l had that in my vest pocket"
That's fortunate. On my honor, I'm
sorry for you. l haven't much money
with me, but I'll lend you dollar or two
with the greatest of pleasure"
This offer quite bewildered Walter. He
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 compromise, or to be
bought off so cheap; so, though quite pen
niless, he determined to reject the offer.
Il won't borrow" he said codly. II
was hoping you had seen my money"
lie 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
put couldn't sum- Ion the necessary cour-
age. lie went bssk to his old seat
WELL" said iAe old .ntleman who
sat behind him, Il suppo.t you did not
find your MANI"
"Yes did"
You didn't get your money!" he added
In surprise.
No, he was perfectly cool. Still,
think he took it. He offered to lend me
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
sosa and the suspicious he had formed.
You say the man Is in the smoking