Morris tribune., 1912-11-08
Che summer. and that's the vacation


come over run out and see me. I'll be
very glad to show you the colleges
"' Thanks. 1t would be interesting
10 be shown through them by one of
the dons'
81 had listened to a few minutes of
conversation between them, when two
ladies came along and stopped before
them, one of the ladies introducing the
6ther to the Oxford professor, the spare
man bowling himself away. remained
to listen to what the professor had to
say, and confess his conversation was
charming. He had just run over to
have a look at America and had found
it so interesting that he had overstayed
his leave. He should be lecturing at
his college instead Of attending social
functions beyond the Atlantic. He was
booked to sail the next day.
"What it was that connected the pro-
fessor in my mind with a burglar l
can't imagine TRIES do at times turn
our thoughts, and have fancied since
that it might have been Handy Andy's
clever verse, and more especially his
having quoted an English poet who is
seldom read except by scholars. New
ertheless the connection once made
took root Immediately. True, 1t was
very remote, and I had no idea that
there was anything in it, but con-
tinued to keep the professor within
touch.
Zone thing about him that caught
my professional eye was that he seem
ed to be uneasy and did not appear
inclined to linger long with any one
person or persons. He was helped in
this by being favored with a number
OF introductions. After a brief con-
versation which all strove to turn upon
his university he would make some ex-
cuse to pass on. Finally, taking out a
handsome gold watch and glancing at
the time, he said he must be going.
az followed him upstairs and into
the mems dressing room. Taking up
an Overcoat, he drew cigarette case
from pocket, but instead Of putting
on the coat lighted cigarette, took a
few puffs, then threw it into an ash
receiver.
"There were several men in the
dressing room besides me and the pro-
fessor, and l took care to busy myself,
pretending to hunt for my own coat
and hat, not letting him see that was
watching him. AS soon as he had
ceased to smoke he went downstairs.
I followed him and saw him pass
through several rooms till he reached
the one where the gifts were displayed.
"He went about among large num-
Der Of persons, looking at the valu-
ables, occasionally taking up some one
Of them for a nearer view. I noticed
that those he took up were Of small
bulk. Presently he carried a brooch
set with diamonds to a lamp on table
set in a corner of the room and with
his back to the others present held it
up to the light. After a close inspec-
ton he turned. In his hand was a
plain gold bracelet, but no brooch. Re
turning to the table from which he
had taken the brooch, he laid the brace
let on the table. By this l inferred
that he had dropped the former in his
sleeve.
whether he was an Oxford professor
or Handy Andy 1 did not know, but
one thing 1 knew-he was thief.
"you may think that to take the
man in was very simple matter. On
the contrary, the situation for nue. was
delicate. L had come into the house
without an invitation and was not
known. Suppose 1 arrested the man.
l would make disturbance, he might
get rid Of his plumber, and in case he
was what he purported to be where
would l be? Besides, had but little
time. Wedding receptions are usually
short lived, and my quarry might go
away at any moment. The problem of
taking him in with stolen property on
him was as difficult as his discovery.
81 kept my eye on him and saw him
leave the room, and | was confident
he had with him his souvenir of the
occasion. l followed him and, accost
ing him, said:
Professor, should like to ask you
a few questions about Oxford. 1 have
| a son who desires to take a course
there
"He looked at me like one who
scents danger.
81 overheard you awhile ago talk
| ing about Oxford. That is how 1
know who you are added.
"I should be happy to give you any
Information about the university, She
said, and especially about my college,
Brasenose, but unfortunately am
just going
$50 am L. replied. Wen go to-
gether.'
"He seemed to prefer going in my
company to remaining and evidently
did not suspect me. We went up
stairs for our hats and coats, then out
on to the street. I began my ques
tons about the University of Oxford
and continued them till we passed
| policeman. Then, throwing open my
coat and displaying a badge and call