The Washington times., 1909-05-08
CHAPTER II.
A STRICKEN TOWN.

A blCt ALt ionE EiBnI
was Jim awakened. and on
that occasion, after giving his
ticket 20 the conductor and hav-
ing ascrtained that he would arrive
at ChaEton about o'clock the next
morning. he almost Immediately slept
again. But his next waking brought a
knowledge which drove all drowsiness
from him.
In the dim light Of the early morning
he felt Immediately for the black bag
which had been tucked away in a cor
ner of his seat when he had lost con-
sciousness. 1t was not therei
Alert in a moment, he sat straight
and began a thorough search of the
floor in the immediate neighborhood,
but with no results The bag was gone.
and there was no question that it had
been stolen from him.
Quick TO act, Jim at once began q
careful examination of the other pas
sengers in the car, and seeing that there
were not many of them, he determined
TO make a closer investigation and If
necessary demand back his property.
Then another thought came to him.
: How could he demand back property
which he could only describe by its
outward appearance? OF the contents
of the bag be was IN complete ignor-
ancei
] with the decision TO let that matter
| take care of itself when he had found
the article, he rose and walked down
the aisle, stopping beside each sleeping
passenger.
a respectable-looking old man and
equally unlikely middle-aged woman
he passed as not appearing to be prob
able thieves, and, In fact. he had almost
reached the end of the car without no
ticing any suspicious person. when his
eyes fell upon man who certainly
looked the part.
OF dirty. swarthy complexion. black
disheveled hair hanging over his closed
eyes, the individual under inspection lay
curled UP In the front seat of the car.
apparently asleep. The small rings OF
gold in his ears at once proclaimed his
nationality. and his general appearance
was calculated to arouse suspicion in
one who had lost any article of value.
Jim took the seat across the aisle from
the fellow. and he. too, simulated sieep,
keeping his eyes half open. upon the
other. and thinking of the best way in
which to make his accusation.
While he watched. the man opessc his
eyes once. looked out OF the widow
then again slept In a moment his un-
consciousness seemed honestly deep. and
Jim felt that he would be able to make
any investigation he desired
He was still wondering what to dc
when there came a sudden whistle from
the engine, a slowing down OF the train
and then a halt The passengers In al
- ~
the dark man Strengthened up. Jim
however, remained still and awaited de
velopments.
One by one the younger passenger
rose from their seats and moved TO tn,
door. some even stepping to the groun,
outside, to ascertain the cause of tn,
delay. And, at last, the dark man ais
rose and was lost in a moment in th'
small group Of people near the plat
form.
Quick as a flash Jim was across tn,
aisle and rummaging among the un
known's dirty luggage. A soiled blan
ket IN which was rolled the traveller
other baggage he moved from it's posi-
ton in the seat, and then could scarcel,
believe his good fortune. as in the cor
Il ner by the window he discovered IN,
small black bag.
With a hurried glance in the direc
ton OF the dark man, Jim seized hi
treasure, and was again In the sea
across the aisle by the time the thie
had returned to his place. Now i'm
closed HIS eyes actually and considere,
the situation, but a few moments
thought convinced him that II would b
best 70 make no disturbance for fea
that the bag might eventually be takel
from him, and his honest desire TO re
turn It TO its real owner be frustrated
And -, casually. he arose and re
turned to his former seat, noticing a
, he walked down the aisle that the for
eigner eyed him keenly. The sight di
not disturb him. however, as he knew
that the thief would make no outer,
, II he himself remained silent.
But he did take the precaution. one
he had reached his former position, &
open the bag and ascertain. 20 the bes
) II his inadequate knowledge. whethe
! the contents were intact
{ Yes. there was the telegram-and h
, now looked at the address, conscien