Year: 1873




He held up his finger in token of silence.


The knock was three times repeated in
peculiar manner, when my host got up
and cautiously opened the door.


A man stood outside with his hat pulled
over his eyes.


"Excuse me moment" said my COM
panion, stepping out and closing the door.


heard low and earnest voices in the
passage, but only distinguished the words,
"Tra5n for Boston at tea--San Francisco
train at half past elevon."


Soon there was sound of departing
footsteps, and the door Of the room open
ed, and the proprietor entered.


"I've no time to explain further now,"
he said. "Meet me at the depot in time
for the ten o'clock train to Boston,"


"But l have no money" answered.


"I'll see to that, he replied. 10


There was little time to lose, and / lose
to go. a.4H


"Would you mind carrying this satch-
ell % said he. al have short stop to
make by the way, besides having valise
to look after"


l received from his hand the article in
question, which was small and light.


In the waiting room Of the depot my
attention was drawn to the clicking of a
telegraphic instrument


had once been an operator, and had
learned to read messages by the ear. 1t is
said eaves-droppers rarely hear good of
themselves, and the present case, though
listening was involuntary, proved no ex-
ception.


Judge of my amazement when l heard
clicked off in language to me as plain as
speech, full description of my person
and everything pertaining to me, down to
the satchel in my hand--in which latter,
it was said, would be found portion of
the bonds stolen from the Bank !!
did not stay to hear what followed,
which was doubtless an order for my i'm
mediate arrest


The truth at once flashed upon me. l
had been made the dupe Of the real cul-
prit, who had sought to cover his own re-
treat by ruse, of which was to be the
victim.


I walked rapidly, avoiding public thor
oughfares, and had gone considerable
distance before venturing to stop police
man, and inquire the way to the Chief
Detectives office.


Following the direction, lost no time
in presenting myself to that functionary.


81 think have discovered the robber
of the--Bank," said ], as coolly as I
could.


eth be money in your pocket and a
feather in your cap if you have" said he,
cycling me curiously, "It's very queer,
though" he added, looking from me to a
paper before him.


proceeded to give minute narrative
of what had occurred since my falling in
with the pretended ex-detective, express
ing the opinion that the latter would be
found taking the halfpast eleven train for
San Francisco.


"The telegram for your arrest" said
the Chief, twas sent by myself, on infor-
nation coming from an unknown source,
but which did not feel at liberty to ne
glect. Your coming directly here speaks
in your favor. But let us see what is in
the satchel."


1t was speedily opened and in it was
found package of missing bonds, de-
scription of which was in the possession of
the authorities. In giving them up my
late acquaintance had sacrificed but little,
as they had been so advertised that there
would have been danger in disposing OF
them, while putting them into my posses.
sion was cunning device to divert suspic-
ion from himself TO me.


A carriage was called, and, in company
with the Chief and two subordinates, was
taken TO the-----depot, which we reach
ed few minutes before the departure OF
the train.


Snugly esconced in sleeping car, a
whole section of which he had taken foi
himself we discovered the object Of our
search, in whom the officers recognized
an old acquaintance. In his possession
was found all the stolen money and So
curities, except those he had placed in my
handg. t


was formally detained till next morn
ing, when Mrs. Rigwoodie and several Of
her boarders--the former being kind
enough not to mention my little delin.
quency toward hersclf-gaye SO good an