Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-24

us tonight. for surely it was his pa
 pers that his gesture referred to-
 "Of-course, 1t was and the wall or
 mantle must be connected with the
 mystery replied his wife. She al-
 so added, Tt is a comfort to know
 that the injunction. which our law
 yer will place upon Mir. Buckmans
 proceedings in the morning, will pre-
 vent him and others from purchasing
 our house and it's furnishings.
 The next morning dawned bright and
 clear. MT. Gleason and his wife felt
 much uneasiness because of the non
 appearance of their lawyer. The ap-
 pointed time for the auction was near
 at hand; when a telephone message
 was received informing them of the
 sudden and serious illness of their
 lawyer. MT. Gleason rushed out to
 borrow money from the bank, but so
 much time was consumed in obtain
 ing it, that the sale had closed before
 he returned. The house was purchased by MT.
 Buckman for a sum to offset the
 sum required for the mortgage. Books, pictures, the mandolin and other things were sold separately. When MT Gleason saw the people going away he stood as if stunned for
 g. moment: then quickly rallied when
 he perceived that the cherished man. dclir had been sold. The wCil-known musician, who held the mandolin, knew that 1t was a fine old Gibscn, so refused all offers for the instrument. After his offers had been rejected the former owner be- come desperate and stepped forward | musician, who had perceived the lqAk of determination on his antagonists face, flung the instrument long dis tance from him. When the mandolin struck the rock the persons who were looking in that direction, saw the top or neck open and a bundle of papers fall on the ground.
 A policeman, who was nearby, took possession of both mandolin and pa papers.
 When he examined the instrument | he discovered a secret catch where the | top and curved bottom met. This proved l that the secret spring must have come | in contact with the rock on which 1t | fell and opened the top part. The neck of the mandolin was hollow and
 grandpa had used it for a hiding place | for private papers, bonds, certificates, etc
 Policeman Bedford opened a paper and partially looked at it, then hur- | ried to the autioneers stand, mount ed the platform and blew his whistle to attract the attention of the assem- | bled company. In a clear and loud voice ho commanded the purchasers
 of the morning to restore all articles, which they had purchased, to their I turned the mandolin and all the pa
 pers 1t contained with hearty con- gratulations.
 | Mir. Buckman was one of the many
 who witnessed the opening of the | mandolin. He surmised at once the contents of the papers, and hastened to a friend who provided him with a disguise. He then boarded a train en route for Canada, and was many
 miles away when Policeman Bed ford had time to phone to the chief of police for a warrant for his ar
 rest.
 Mr. Buckman's disguise was so | good that the conductors and officials on the trains and at the different sta tions failed to recognize him. | MT. and Mrs. Gleason considered It a waste of time and money to pursue him. so the fugitive will remain at liberty as long as he remains out of the United States.
 1 The contents of the mandolin repre- sented small fortune which was de- posited in a safe in the bank togeth- CT with the mortgage receipt and deed, | after they had been recorded by the registrar of deeds.
 The mandolin was returned to its | place over the mantle and grandpa's
 room was taken for the living room. | Occasionally the musician, from whom MT. Gleason attempted to wrest his musical instrument, visits them and his master hand brings forth | sweet strains of melodious music from 1.-the dear old mandolin.
 l DIANA