The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-19

oh, OF couse you're quite right"
Jack admitted. You behaved vesy
sensibly."
"Ah. WE'LL" said Mr. Markwick con
tentedly. you were always bit oe .
fool. It's no use. Dimsdsle: 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. I 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 l should run
a risk Of having my pocket picked.
Surely enough my wife Was right. !
did get my pocket picked. and now
you whom | haven't seen all these
years coolly brink it back to me. That
beats everything"
The fact is." said Jack, i've been
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 fallen
SO low"
AS to pinch your watch. Not
quite. At present" said Jack. Il hap
pen to be a journalist Of sorts. You
remember the Trensham robbery last
year,"
"Trensham is a friend of mine." an.
swered Mr.. Markwick with an air Of
pride.
We'll" Jack explained. Il was doing
odd jobs for the Daily Magniner. and
| tried TO play the amateur detective
| knew | should score II got to the
bottom of tho Trensham affair but OF
course there was no such luck. How
ever" added Jack. I'm the course OF
my Investigations | made one or two
rather interesting acQuaintances-Jem
Davidson amongst the rest"
WHO is Jem Davidson?" asked Mr.
Markwick
The man who vent through your
pockets"
How did YOU find that OUT" de-
manded Mr. Markwick.
Il saw him in the act" said Jack
Jem Is member Of pretty low
down gang OF thieves. | had at one
time and another stood him a good
many drinks. We grew quite chummy
| have told you I have known you BY
sight about town for . good many
years. Sometimes felt would give
anything for a good Jaw over old times.
but Well. you SO. Mafkwlck. I
didn't feel certain should meet with
any reciprocity"
mo one can say ever turned my
back on q friend" was the answer.
Anyhow" Jack continued with .
smile. Il happened to b ON the look
out for copy In the crowd o. Thurs
day morning when spotted you just
In front Of Jem Davidson. I saw some
Of bis pals wedge you 10 while hs went
through your pockets. Jem u sup
posed to b . skilful craftsman. l
knew be would pick you clean. He
wasn't likely to leave your watch be.
hind Muriel's watch. imagined
you - being immensely cut up q your
loss. could guess what that would
mean whether you were married Or
not. No man who had ever known
Muriel Castslet could ever quite for
get her So I tackled Jem Davidson.
Jack explained. In the end We com
pounded a felony After swearing ne
had not got your watch till no was
blue In the face he let me have It Tor
couple OF pounds"
Good heavens" exclaimed MT.
Markwick with an expression Of right
eous Indignation. twice - much - II
was worth"
There was silence for few seconds.
Jack drew in . deep breath % he stood
CASING at Andrew Markwick. Then he
slowly buttoned his shiny blue serge
jacket.
Now you know the whole story.
he said in . different tone. Il should
MT have troubled you II you hadn't
caught me on your doorstep"
Still. can't allow you to be the
loser" answered Mr.. Markwick. taking
out his purse. Two pounds mean
more to you than they do to me"
odd" said Jack. picking up the
watch from the writing table by which
he was standing. what q few bits OF
old metal do mean to q man"
Well. here you are" cried MI
Narkwick. hoSding out his right hand
with two sovereigns on Its palm.
.Oh. none OF that. Markwick." e1
claimed Jack
IL insist that YOU allow me to REIN
Nurse you. said Mr.. Markwick while
lack still held the silver watch.
You think II was dear at the
price'" he suggested.