El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-11-03

4 a
"a been given to indecision. He
u was undecided now, as he sat
on the DUAL National at Lucerne and
| looked across the blue waters OF the
| lake to the Jagged crest of Pfatus.
Should he direct his steps home to
! England, where April is always
doubtful quantity. ore down by the ST.
Gothard to Italy, where spring was
already a full realization?
Leonard resolved to do what no per-
son of decisive mind ever does-to toss
for it. The coin dropped to earth, and
rolled-whither?
Excuse me sir, but have you lost
something's" The question came from
middle aged mantle only other oc-
cupant oof the seat-who had been
quietly regarding Leonard's move
| ments.
IF it's money you lost we may as
well look for it,
The man. who was fairly stout, went
right down upon his knees. and felt
in the narrow space between the
woodwork of the seat and the ground.
In moment he rose triumphant, the
coin held between his forefnger and
thumb.
Handing it to Leonard he started
Leonard thanked him. He felt vexed,
uncomfortable, reproved For man
of character, and of obviously some
Importance to have gone down on
Bonded knees in his service-and such
a ridiculous service-was almost hu-
initiating.
May 1 ask what knotty point you
were deciding?"
Leonard explained
The stranger smiled, but it was not
a sarcastic smile. He looked thought
full He was obviously studying Leon
ard, summing up his characteristics.
81 take it, them" he observed. that
really a straw would decide for you
which way the wind blew?"
TT would"
would you decide to go back TO
England if. by SO doing you might
perform a small service for me?"
Like a shot"
Again the stranger smiled. He liked
the youthfulness of Leonards reply.
The train is not due at Charing Cross
till 1896 in the afternoon. You Will be
tired then. Ny errand can wait till
the following morning. If you will
promise to execute it the first thing"
"Gladlyi"
The stranger felt in his pocket and
produced a small parcel.
take this in your hand. It's quite
light, isn't it? 1t will slip easily into
the coat pocket you are now wearing.
I shall be very much obliged If you
will take it to London for me and
deliver it in person, not later than the
day after tomorrow. at the address
shown on the label-Mr. Johnson, s
Durham street, Strand.
81 shall be very pleased TO fulfil this
little commission for you"
The amazing man got up.
No word was spoken. but the hand
clasp was a pledge of mutual conf
dence.
When the last stage of the journey
was over, and Leonard found himself
in a bedroom at the Charing Cross
hotel, he heaved a sigh of relief. He
would go to bed early tonight He
had slept badly during the long run
from Bale to Boulogne. and he was
sure that anxiety over that precious
parcel was the cause
But now he was on English soil in
the heart Of London, and the terror of
customs, and of all other train brig
ands, was happily a thing of the past.
Determined to be relieved as soon as
possible of his responsibility Leonard
started along the Strand directly after
breakfast next morning. and event
uauy paused outside No. s Durham
street.
1t was a jewelers. shop. Now Leen-
ard had been hoping against hope that
it might not be a jeweler- Leonard
crossed to the counter.
Il believe this is Mr.. Johnson's?"
Yes sir
Us he-er-in?"
NO, sir. He lives down in the coun-
try, and isn't home very early in the
day. I expect him in in about another
20 minutes. Will you come back, sir?"
Thank you, 1 don't think 1 need, if
you will kindly give him this package
re comes in. Good morning."
Good morning, sir"'
Leonard was soon odt of the shop,
easily, his ordeal was over.
He was free of his parcel and of re-
sponsibilty attaching thereto, He
tripped lightly back to Charing Cross I
hotel
Leonard's home was in the Midlands |
Now that his commission IN London
had been successfully fulfilled there
was no reason why he should not go !
straight down and see his people.
That afternoon and evening passed |
very agreeably. His mother and sis !
ters made much of him, and listened |
with profound interest to the recital of /
his adventures in Switzerland.
In the morning, when the entranced /
circle was forced to dissolve over it's /
household duties, Leonard sauntered {
forth to the sta ton bookstall to get a |
London newspaper. Not that he ex-
oected anything of Importance to have !
happened. To buy a daily paper was /
merely a matter of habit with him in |
this country. Abroad he sometimes
never looked at a paper for weeks to-
yether. That had certainly been the
,ase of late.
He opened the paper listlessly and
started What was this facing him in
eaded type?
THE GREAT JEWEL ROBBERY.
RECOVERY or
STOLEN DIAMOND NECKLACE
INTERVIEW WITH MR.. JOHNSON.
THE JEWELER.
Our readers will remember the dar-
ng robbery which took place about a |
month ago at Mr. Johnson's. the well
Known jeweler. of Durham street,
strand. On the first day of his sale,
when the shop was more or less