Part 4 (1/2)
”No' that bad!” said Sw.a.n.kie, with a chuckle.
A silver fork and a pair of sugar-tongs bearing old Mrs Stewart's initials were accordingly selected for this purpose, and placed in the little garden in the front of Widow Brand's cottage.
Here they were found in the morning by Captain Ogilvy, who examined them for at least half-an-hour in a state of the utmost perplexity. While he was thus engaged one of the detectives of the town happened to pa.s.s, apparently in some haste.
”Hallo! s.h.i.+pmate,” shouted the captain.
”Well?” responded the detective.
”Did ye ever see silver forks an' sugar-tongs growin' in a garden before?”
”Eh?” exclaimed the other, entering the garden hastily; ”let me see.
Oho! this may throw some light on the matter. Did you find them here?”
”Ay, on this very spot.”
”Hum. Ruby went away last night, I believe?”
”He did.”
”Some time after midnight?” enquired the detective.
”Likely enough,” said the captain, ”but my chronometer ain't quite so reg'lar since we left the sea; it might ha' bin more,--mayhap less.”
”Just so. You saw him off?”
”Ay; but you seem more than or'nar inquisitive to-day--”
”Did he carry a bundle?” interrupted the detective.
”Ay, no doubt.”
”A large one?”
”Ay, a goodish big 'un.”
”Do you know what was in it?” enquired the detective, with a knowing look.
”I do, for I packed it,” replied the captain; ”his kit was in it.”
”Nothing more?”
”Nothin' as I knows of.”
”Well, I'll take these with me just now,” said the officer, placing the fork and sugar-tongs in his pocket. ”I'm afraid, old man, that your nephew has been up to mischief before he went away. A burglary was committed in the town last night, and this is some of the plate. You'll hear more about it before long, I dare say. Good day to ye.”
So saying, the detective walked quickly away, and left the captain in the centre of the garden staring vacantly before him in speechless amazement.