Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-05-12

doubtless, the diamonds were already
in the boys travelling bag, for they
would hardly be transferred from hand
to hand in the station. Such being the
case. an ordinary boy would have
shown some consciousness of his er-
rand: he would have been absurdly
careful of the bag; would have affect
ed a shrewd and cautions demeanor to
impress his employer and crafty his
own romantic vanity.
Not so. Billy Boldface; be was quite
at his ease. a match for Mr.. Hazard
in the proud indifference of his de-
meanor.
Its going to be a good game" said
he.
And Sanderson was not alone In his
admiration of Billy. Mr.. Hazard was
clearly delighted with him. He bought
him a ticket for Chicago and lower
berth in a sleeper.
A trifing exercise of professional
skill enabled Sanderson to secure the
upper berth in the same section with
the boy, and thus an easy acquain-
tance was assured. for they must sit
together during the balance of the
afternoon and evening. In fact, Billy
showed no backwardness in entering
upon a conversation with this chance
companion of a journey, and. though
he lied with sweet serenity about his
errand, he seemed otherwise as frank
as heart could wish. 1t appeared that
his name was really william. and this
coincidence impressed the supersti-
tfous Sanderson as an excellent omen.
$50 you're going to Chicago to visit
your aunt?" said Sanderson. well.
well, I'll gamble the old lady will be
proud of you You certainly do look
fine in that new uniform"
81 wouldn't wear It." said Billy.
meeting the others eye as sQuarely
as anybody could meet the eve of San
derson, "if 1t wasn't the only decent
suit I've got"
at looks businesslike." said San
derson. ITS a nice rig Where does
your aunt live?" he asked And Billy
gave an address on Michigan avenue
without the delay of q fraction of a
second.
"Fine location" said Sanderson.
smothering smile.
Yes, indeed" responded Billy. And
he proceeded to describe the house
with great particularly both without
and within.
After they passed Albany Sander
son invited Billy to dinner. and they
had CHEEKY meal.
After dinner they sat together in
the sleeper, and Billy confessed that
he was looking forward with unusual
pleasure TO his nights repose.
81 was up till after this morning"
he said. land on the job again at s.
We're short of boys. and I've been do
ing a double trick. I'm near dead for
Sleep"
Sanderson perceived that this was
the simple truth. and he was not dis
pleased. 1t was certainty that Billy
would fall into sleep from which
nothing short of a collision could
wake him. The diamonds were as
good as won. Probably the trick could
be turned before the train reached
Buffalo. and Sanderson could leave 1t
at that point with the material for
his long dreamed of trip abroad in his
pocket.
well. Billy, my boy" he said. "if
you're in bed I'll go and have a smoke.
You'll be sound asleep when l come
back. and I'll take good care not to
disturb you. but we'll have bite OF
breakfast together tomorrow morning
before you go up to your aunt's."
81 amt going to her house right
away" said Billy. "I'm going to a ho-
tel first"
what hotelY
"The Hotel Donovan"
"I'll go there too." said Sanderson.
When Sanderson returned from the
smoking compartment Billy was sound
asleep.
81 can't believe that this is so easy"
he said to himself. Seems too good
to be true"
He examined the boys clothing with
a practiced hand No diamonds there
of course not! Under his head? No.
Anywhere about the bed clothes? No.
Must be in his grip? Yes, here's my
little sparkler Careless, careless! l
shouldn't have thought it of you, Billy.
Hello-empty! Nothing but the jewel
case, eh? Well. this is little more
like Billy. as | sized him up in the be-
ginning.
Sanderson was now upon his mettle,
and he went to work in earnest. 1t
was all in vain.
He then tried an expedient which
had sometimes given good results in
similar difficulties. He turned the
sleeping boy upon his back and ap-
piled a slight pressure with his thumb
just below the breast bone. Billy
speedily passed from the bright land
of dreams to the grim wilderness Of
nightmares, but Sanderson knew how
to regulate the amount of this torture
Presently he got Billy talking.
Huh" muttered Billy. Thinks he
can do me. eh? Well. we'll. well!
Nothing to it. nothing to it. Safe as
q church."
Sanderson experimental as long as
he dared and got no results except
variations of the expressions already
recorded. Billy would occasionally
mutter the word diamonds" and once
he said. mfr. Hazard" but as to the
concealment of the brooch he gave no
Information except in such phrases as
They're all right" "Codldn't find 'em
In a million years" Give 'em to him
if he gets EN-" and the like
So SanderSon finally had to desst
and own himself beaten for the time.
Hn was still confident hpwavar thot