10
JVtc Unknown Heirs, or The Contested Inheritance.
h
and soon won the esteem of nil. But
while the two brothers were enjoying so
much prosperity, nn unforeseen culuiHity
hefel them.
They had been in Meredith nearly three
months, when one afternoon, a young
man, or rather boy, for he was plainly yet
In his teens, entered the ollioo of Mr.
Sykes where Stephen was employed. The
latter was not present at the time, and the
stranger, after cautiously observing this,
approached the superintendent.
The new coiner was quite well dressed,
and although his countenance was of an
unprepossessing cast, yet few would feel
warranted in drawing unfavorable sur
mises from his appearance.
After mutual salutations, the stranger
gave thosuperintcndont a letter of Intro
duction from a Mr. Garnctt,of the neigh
boring town of Moultonborough. The
letter stated the bearer, Daniel Johnson,
to be an exemplary young man in his cm
ploy ; thai a robbery hud been perpetrated
upon himself, and that Mr. Sykes "could
probably assist in bringing the thieves to
justice; also, other mutters which, owing
to a lack of timo on his part, ho would
leave the bearer to disclose.
"This is all right," remarked Mr. Sykes,
as he concluded his perusal of the letter.
"Please bo seated, sir."
Johnson accepted the invitation, and the
superintendent resumed :
"Mr. Garnott is an old and confidential
friend of mine. You will pkase state
your business, as I am quite busy this af
ternoon." The stranger drew his chair nearer, and
conversed in a low tone.
"A regard for your interest," said he,
"impelled both Mr. Garnett and myself to
inform yru of this matter, since you have
in your employ a questionable character,
and can also assist in bringing the robbors
to justice On Wednesday last, a boy of
about seventeen and by name Richard
Bennct canvassed Moultonborough for a
history of the late war. IIo stopped over
night with us, having boon overtaken by
the darkness.
"To judge by his looksflfo was the last
one to entertain suspicions of. But the
next day, Mr. Garnett found that a valua
ble watch and about sixty dollars in
money had been stolen from his desk
And this was not all, for a little later in
the day, Mr. Garnett found this paper in
the room that the fellow had occupied."
As he spoke, Johnson gave the Superin
tendent a small paper, folded into a very
small compass. It was written in pencil
and read as follows:
Dear Joe: I have by this time nearly
canvassed Meredith, Moultonborough and
Centre Ilaibor. T know the lay of the
land perfectly. I have found two good
hiding places near the road from Meredith
to Squam Lake. I have borrowed a num
ber of articles; meanwhile, I hope you
have done us well. Wo can begin at our
little business in fine style by the mid
dle of April. Our cellar is a good place
for operating in. Keep whist. From
your old chum, Dick."
"Tills letter seems to have an obscured
meanlug," said Mr. Sykes. "But from its
purport I infer that the Dick mentioned
belongs to a co-partnership of thieves of
some other town, ontl that he is about to
start an illicit business hero. The articles
mentioned as ' borrowed ' are, perhaps, to
defray expenses."
"A few petty thefts have been commit
ted in Centre Harbor during the last few
days," added Johnson.
"Arc there any other circumstances that
indicate Richard Bonnet as tlio thief?"
queried the Superintendent.
"There were no persons in the house
vhilc he aviis thero except the members of
the household, nor was there the least dis
turbance. Mr. Garnett is very careful.
He keeps a good watch-dog," said John
son. " It seems impossible when I considor
the character of the boys heretofore,"
said Mr. Sykes. "I will compare tljis
writing with a specimen of Richard's,
which I havo here."
The Superintendent rummaged his
drawers until ho found tho desired article
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