The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1912-10-03


"Oh, Of couse you're quite right
Jack admitted. You behaved very
sensibly."
"Ah, WE'LL" said MI Markwick con-
tentedly, you were always a bit of
fool It's no use. Dimsdale; II you
don't get on the top the chances are
you'll stay at the bottom"
Anyhow" exclaimed Jack. Il was
sorely tempted to stick to that watch.
Il wish to goodness you would tell
me how you got hold of it," said An
drew Markwick. Il never knew any
thing more bewildering. hadn't look
ed at the thing until yesterday for
nineteen or twenty years
Not looked at it," cried Jack.
Il shouldn't have seen 1t then II
my wife hadn't insisted | should run
risk of having my pocket picked.
Surely enough my wife was right.
did get my pocket picked. and no"
you whom ! haven't seen all these
years coolly brink 1t back to me. That
beats everything"
The fact is" said Jack. I've been
a good many things in my time. I've
spent four or five years on cattle
ranch In Texas, I've hawked vege
tables in the streets OF Sydney, I've
tried to sell illustrated Bibles on com
mission all over England, and now
Good gracious! you've not faller
so low"
las to pinch your watch. MOI
quite. At present" said Jack, Il hap
pen to be a journalist of sorts. You
remember the Trensham robbery last
year,"
"Trensham is friend of mine" an
swered Mr.. Markwick with an air Of
pride.
Well" Jack explained, 81 was doing
odd jobs for the Daily Magnifier, anc
I tried to play the amateur detective
| knew l should score II got 10 the
bottom of the Trensham affair, but oil
course there was no such luck. How
ever" added Jack, in the course Oh
my Investigations l made one or two
rather interesting acquaintances-Jem
DdNluSOn INC iCoN"
who is Jem Davidson" asked Mr..
Markwick
The man who went through your
pockets"
How did you find that out?" de
manded Mr.. Markwick.
81 saw him in the act" said JACK
"Jem is a member Of a pretty 10"
down gang of thieves. l had at one
time and another stood him good
many drinks. We grew quite chummy
/ have told you have known you by
] sight about town for a good many
years. Sometimes felt l would give
anything for a good jaw over old times
but Well, you see, Markwick,
didn't feel certain should meet with
any reciprocity"
mo one can say l ever turned my
back on friend" was the answer.
Anyhow" Jack continued with
smile, Il happened to be on the loot
out for copy in the crowd on Thurs
day morning when / spotted you 1us'
in front of Jem Davidson. l saw some
of his pals wedge you in while he wen
through your pockets. Jem Is sup
posed to be a skilful craftsman.
knew he would pick you clean. H'
wasn't likely to leave your watch be
hind-Muriels watch. ! imagined
you as being immensely cut up at you
loss. could guess what that would
mean whether you were married o.
not. No man who had ever known
Muriel Castelet could ever quite for
get her. So tackled Jem Davidson.
Jack explained. I'm the end We com
pounded a felony. After swearing N
! had not got your watch till he wal
blue in the face he let me have 1t 10
a couple Of pounds"
Good heavens" exclaimed MI
Markwick with an expression OF righ'
eous Indignation, twice as much as
was worth
There was silence for a few seconds
Jack drew In a deep breath as he stoo'
' gazing at Andrew Markwick. Then n
slowly buttoned his shiny blue sers
Jacket.
Now you know the whole story,
he said in a different tone. Il should
mt have troubled you II you hadn'
caught me on your doorstep"
STILL, l can't allow you to be tn
loser" answered Mr. Markwick. takin
out his purse. Two pounds meal
more to you than they do to me-
odd" said Jack, picking up tn
watch from the writing table by whicl
he was standing, what a few bits o
old metal do mean to a man.
We'll, here you are" cried MI
Markwick, holding out his right han
with two sovereigns on its palm.
ooh, none of that, Markwick." e,
claimed Jack.
81 insist that you allow me to rein
burse YOU" said Mr.. Markwick Will
Jack still held the silver watch.
you think 1t was dear at tn
price?" he suggested.
"Dear." was the answer. 1T wa
one robbery on the top OF another.
Then suppose We make comprs
mise" suggested Jack.
"a COMPROMISED"
yes: suppose you keep your none
and ease your conscience by lettin
me have the watch"