Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1909-10-23 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER IV.  "The murderer is still .at Largs," continued Mrs Brown. "I never slept a wink all last night fo-e thinking about him. I got up ever so often and looked under the bed. It really isn't safe for a widow woman. to sleep by herself in a detached cottage when such dangerous characters are r.aam. ing about. If that man's not captured to-clay, I'll sit up all night to-night." Here Mrs Brown p-aused for breath, and Miss Green took the opportunity of asking if Mr Bragge had been able to give any description of his assailant. "Ohl yes, he knows the man quite well, at least by sight. He livcs in one of these old houses in Muddy Green that belong to Lord Westacres, and were condemned by the Sanitary Inspector quite a long time ago. All the others are still standing empty, and no one has C7.CT seen the inside of this strange man's cottage. Nobody knows his name, or where he cames from, or what he is doing here. It's my opinion he's a peafessiona.l pickpocket, and has taken pdssession of this house without being legally authorised to do so." At this point Mrs Brown glanced towards her hostess with an air of decided triumph. Feeling she had disclosed exceptionally startling facts, in an exceptionally impressive manner, she waited for the applause and encore which she believed was her due.  Miss Green maintained a discreet silence and a calm demeanour. Mrs Brown was hurt, but not offended, and continued to air more opinions and disclose more facts_ "Ele might even be an escaped convict. I saw something in the papers two months ago about a hunt for one at Dartmoor. end I didn't think he's been re-captured yet. If I was a scholar like you. Miss Green, I'd write a full aocount of ads tragedy to the 'Morning News.' Everybody would talk about you then." Miss Green had no ambition to earn this distinction. Being too polite to say this, she said nab. ing. Mrs Brown took her silenoe for aosent. and eagerness to commence the blood-curdling report at once.  "I'll help you to write it.," she remarked. "That is, I'll sit beside you while you write and tell you what, to put." Miss Gieen grew pale at the bare suggestion.. It was ono of her minor ch.aracteristics that she could novrar write even a trivial note while anyone watched her. She must refuse this ma.gnanimons offar. While she was trying to dish up her refusul in gentle language, Mrs Brown volunteered more information and more advice.  "Oh! and I forgot to tell you, Miss Green. there's a reward of £lOO offered for anyone that captures this man, or gives information that 'code to his capture. Mrs Bragge is going to pay this out et , her own pocket; she bas plenty of money, you know. I would put that in. your report, it would Please Mrs Bnagge." Then for the first time since her a-rrival the enter• taming visitor glanced at Joseph. "I am really surp6sed that Joseph has told you nothing about all this." "Joseph never repeat§ stories," explained Mies Green promptly; glad to change the subject. "You could trust him with any secret. He is a boy ot few words. But he isn't dull, although he's quiet, Mrs Brown. And he's kiixl-hearted too, and very 'nave." "Yrs. I know he's a wonderful boy altogether. I wouldn't be surprised if he chases this runaway criminal into a corner, and presents you with the £lOO. That would be a nice Christmas box. What do you say, Joseph?" Jck-,eph said nothing, but he thought a good deal. "I darcsay he knows more about it than we do, and has carefully 'studied the placards describini; the wanted man," declared Mrs Brown, eyeing Josept.. suspiciously. "They're dispLayed all over the place. On house ends, and tree trunks, a,nd in evcrY eho p window. He's, short and slender, with slight limp, wearing a ne,vy blue Norfolk suit,