Middletown transcript., 1909-07-31
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The dark man was so intently
watching someone through the
car window that he did not hear
me when | approached and pick
ed up the wrong bag. And the
car was dark and I did not notice
the mistake. The bags were so
much alike that it is possible
the dark man himself did not
discover the exchange until.
hours afterwards.
Was there anything in your
bag that would identity you? the
girl asked.
He reflected q moment.
Absolutely nothing.
/ thiEk that is fortune, said the
girl. /. they were robbers and
found out who had taken their
treasure they might be quite des-
perate enough to do anything.
He shook his head.
The express makes its tlrst
stop at Columbia, he said. If they
found out their loss By that time
they might return to the city
they have no reason for stopping
here.
It makes me feel uneasy, said
the girl. Put the money back.
He replaced the packages hur-
riedly. Suddenly he stopped
and held one up. A card had
been slipped through the band
that wrapped it.
Ezra pulled out the bitof paste
board and read the few penciled
words on IL aloud:
Be at Francis Garrisen's Office
lat 2 o'clock, Tuesday.
That was all.
Ezra turned the card over. It
was blank on the other side.
Francis Garrison is one Of the
leading lawyers of the city, said
Ezra. I have often heard his
name.
What is his reputationG
I fancy it must be very high.
The girl put her hand on Ezra's
arm.
You will see him tomorrow
morning, Ezra,
| Yes, he said. Francis CARR.
son may know nothing of the loss
of this money, but he will advise
me what to do.
The girl put her arm around
his neck and kissed his cheek.
| Spoken like my Ezra, she muir
INJURED, and kissed him again.
The young man stopped and
closed the bag.
There, he said, I'm glad the
stuff is hidden from sight.
And now, said the girl quick
lly, Ill take charge of this. | think
Lit will be safer with me. Be.
sides, I'm going to put a leather
dressing on it that will restore
the color and disguise 1t so that
wicked eyes will never recognize
lit. Good night and pleasant
dreams, Ezra dear-and come as
early as you like in the morning.
Ezra Cranley gave his name to
the trim young man at the door
of Francis Garrison's Office.
Mr.. Garrison has a client with
him, said the trim young man.
Ezra seated himself on the long
settee near the door, with the
precious bag between his feet.
The trim man regarded him with
some interest.
# you will write your business
on a card, he presently said, 1
will take it to Mr.. Garrison.
Ezra drew a card from his
pocket and wrote: Mr.. Ezra
Cranley desires to ask the advice
of Mr.. Francis Garrison concern.
ling the recent loss Of a consider.
able sum Of money.
The trim young man took the
card and entered the inner room.
Almost Immediately he returned.
Mr.. Garrison viii see you in q
few minutes, he said.
Presently he opened the door
and Ezra picked up his bag and
entered the inner room. He heard
the click Of a telephone receiver
falling into its hook, and the
gray haired man at the hoard
table near the window straight.
ened up. There was another man
whose back was turned and who
was staring down into the street
through the most distant win
dow.
The gray haired man had Ezra's
card in his hand.