Johnny Ludlow, Second Series

been over to Timberdale Court, to the christening of Robert and Jane Ashton's baby: a year had gone by since their marriage. The mater went to represent Mrs. Con

got back. The Squire was at Pershore for the day. It was on

chool," she said, as she stepped down. "It may not be l

r had arisen about them. Orders had been given for large plaits in f

ndecision, as she remembered her fine clothes: a silver-grey gown that

go as you are, good mother. A

t then-if the shirts get made wrong

me of strike that I have told of before, when Eliza Hoar died of it. The strike was in

are finished with the large plaits. I ought to have seen about it earlier; but I did not think they would begin th

sleep, however, when we got in: and Mr. Coney thought she had better not be disturbed, even for the news

hnny! wh

in the red light of the setting sun,

spered, noticing

g, my good woman?" a

had set out from her home, three miles off, to walk to Worcester, word having been sent her that her daughter, who was in service there, had met with

n: you should not walk

lings or half-a-crown. My daughter sent word I was to take the train and she

ip, you say. Wha

l dialect. Which name I interpreted into Nut

some hesitation in her voice, though. "If I were assured

estly, turning her face full to the glow of the sun. "It's more than I coul

me for it, refusing to believe that the mistress gave any such order, and saying she was not going to warm ale for par

ade two of your shirts, and the plaits a

unmake them," retor

ame down without her bonnet, and had changed her best gown for the one she mostly wore at home: it had two shades in it,

, helping himself to some thin bread-and-butter. "Wh

shirt, which has large plaits, you know, before you said you would prefer-- Oh, we hardly w

d Tod. "I can't see which si

as soon as you spoke, Joseph," went on the mater, as Thomas settled the lamp on the ta

it as soon as we got in. For one thing, he had meant to go t

ake the two,"

are very nicely done; the stitching's beau

ay like odd things. A pig

he asked, not catch

doubt you do like it. You are

then I saw what Tod meant: an earring was absent. The lamp-light shone on the flashing

one of your ear

er, when she was a child, in some old lady's will, and constituted her chief possession in jewellery worth boastin

liked so well. The pink topaz was in a long drop, the slender rim of gold that encircled it being set with diamonds. Mrs. Todhetley sa

bonnet. She shook out her grey dress, hoping it had fallen amidst the folds. Hannah searched the stairs, candle in hand; the two children were mad

had them both in my ears when we we

kling when she got out of the carri

aid he remarked the earrings while Mrs. Todhetley was talking to him, and thought how beautiful they were. That is, he had remarked one of them; he was sure of that

her tart way, meeting us by the bay-tree, as we went stooping up the path again: "b

manded Tod, stra

now what them tramps are worth. They'd pull rings out of ears with their own finger

meant for me and the mater. "To think we could be taken in by such a tale as that!

of tramps, calling it astounding folly. Ordering Thomas to bring a lantern, he went stooping his old back down the path

sir," cried Thomas. "A little thing like an e

ed the Squire. "That tra

said. "I don't think she was a tramp at all

s' again!" said the Squire, in la

to buy folks by their faces, Johnn

down, also thinking it right to assert what was my conviction.

h continued more or less till bed-time, for every other

ing in her meek eyes: "as for the old associations connected with it. I never had

Timmens had not noticed the earrings at all, but several of the girls said they had. Strange to say, though, most of them

here," spoke up a nice, clean

d Miss Timmens, in her quick way.

answer; and the child blushed like a peony

u sure

ich o' the two shined the most. 'Twas when the lady was s

look like?" ask

here the young speake

"What d'you stop for? I ask you what the earrings lo

, and had shining things round th

ns to me: "and she's a very correct child in ge

e news. They were

ve taken better notice!" cried Tod. "Why, when I saw

house," I rejoined. "The children did not particularly observe the two, but the

o secure it. Those tramps lay their hands on anything; nothing comes amiss to them; they are as bad as gipsies. I dare say this was a gipsy-dark as s

at Worcester and at the police-station. The Squire asked for Se

been stolen by a gipsy-tramp. I tried to say that it might have been

portunity to put in a word edgeways. "We must get the earring back; it is of value, a

reed the sergeant. "Can you

silk handkerchief, for he had put himself into a heat, in spite of the frosty atmos

," wrote the sergeant, taking down what I said. "Black poke bonnet, clean cap border, old red woolle

no clue to her name?" cried

thought she said Nutt." And I went on to relate the tale the woman

d he, when I finished. "Just the thi

alted at the gate, expect

ps watching her opportunity to get into the house. The earring fell in he

f she's in Worcester, Cripp," pu

ster, Squire Todhetley, as I am to be at this present minute in Brummagem," he familiarly added.

look for her, then?" ask

'll try and track her. And-

nt for the newspapers, Cri

we will let the advertisement alone for a day or two," he presently said. "Someti

ell, I supp

tisement to the papers at once. But if it has been stolen by this

ring as sure as this is an umbrella in Johnny Ludlow's hand. Had

s papers," concluded Sergeant Cripp. And telling us to

et with his hands in his po

he said at length. "I lay awake last night in bed, making up t

se he do

p one street, and down

thing to do here to-d

up. The mother said we were to

in Sidbury! Couldn't we as well get

ry druggist who hold

our best leg foremost, for I want to c

ong the pavement but old Coney, in a rough white great-coat and

d then the Squire told him of our visit to the place

. "Not advertise the earring!-why, it i

thought," sa

ave been dropped out of the ear in the road, and picked up by

exclaimed the pater. "I can see as

ink, and began to draw out an advertisement between them. "Lost! An earring of great value, pink topaz and

all three of the newspapers. And look here, lad-you can run for the pills at the sam

s to be made to Mr. Sergeant Cripp, or to Squire Todhetley of Crabb Cot. And, leaving it at the offices of the Herald, Journal

?" was the Squire's firs

ent Luke Macintosh over to the little hamlet, Islip; who reported w

he pater. "That woman was a thievi

advertisement was in it as large as life, and the pater read it out to us. Friday and Saturday

early, after morning service-when Thomas came in and said a stranger had called, and was asking if he could see Mrs. To

the Squire. "A stranger! Te

omas, coming back again. "He come

t be about the earri

he first word he put to me was an inqu

, well-dressed man, with a black moustache and blue silk necktie. I think the Squire was a little ta

Todhetley's earring?" began the pa

er, cool and calm as a cucumber, "but the loss of an hour is sometimes most critic

the earring?" he reiterated. "I understood my servant to mention Se

with a taking smile. "A private officer," he added,

g down himself, while I stood back by the window.

inating smile, as he unbuttoned his top-coat. "We t

ho has it?" cried t

d the detective, after a slight pause. "For that reason I have come ove

and to you too," said the Squire, his

as to relate to me, in a few concise words, the prec

ory, and I helped him. Mr.

gave me; but it was only second-hand, you see, and I preferred to he

he earring?" re

ter. At least he may be called a gentleman. He is a professional man: a law

nto his house?" pursued the Sq

e of yesterday; had been making it in private, and did not wish it talked of. A travelling pedlar-that was the description we received-had come in contact with him and offered him an article for sale, which he, after some haggling, purchased. By dint of questioning, w

ed the Squire, in excitement. "The travelling ped

uietly. "It was a man. Her husband, p

And how can we ge

require extreme delicacy and caution in the handling. First of all, we must assure ourselves beyond doubt that the earring is

him," cried

ession of the earring, we found it to be coral set with pearls, or opal set with emeralds, instead of a pink topaz

?" asked the pater. "I k

o some very dirty actions in his profession," interrupted Mr. Eccles, speaki

are you g

w, I am here to request Mrs. Todhetley to allow me to see the fellow-earring. Cripp has organized a plan by which he belie

ow where she keeps her things, and might look in her places for ever without finding it. Meanwhile, Mr. Eccles, can I offer yo

off by the first train after morning service, and so lost his dinner. Taking my hat, I dashed op

see a real live detective?

ing her sad face, but Lucy Bird-Lucy Ashton that used to be. It always gave me a turn when I saw h

ale Court with Robert and Jane. To-day she had been dining with the Coneys-who were always kind to her

settling all the cases of rheumatism in the parish by the time they took over it. While I waited, I told Mrs. Bird about the earring and th

dful to look at, Johnny? Very

tleman. Tall and slender, and well-dressed: gold studs and a blue

cription surprised her. The mater seemed inclined to question my word

she whispered. "Things may gr

tably pressing him to take more, whenever his knife and fork gave signs of flagging. Tod stood looking on, his back against th

here examining the earring; first in the box, then out of it. He turned it abou

trust this earring to us for a day or two? It will b

the Squire, before any one could

ight of the other earring. Should it be Cripp, my having seen this one will be nearly usel

of his errand to her and Lucy Bird. "I know it will be safe in your hands and Sergean

apped the box in paper, and put it into his inner breast-pocket, "don't yo

She is already as good as taken, and her confederate also. There's not a doubt

t, and bowed himself out, the Squir

n," commented Tod. "At least, according to what have

he manners of society," added the mater. "I

rd in more trouble

But she is never out of it. I wish Robert Ashton could i

nds and looking as delighted as old Punch. He assumed that the earr

alled a gentleman-detective: he told me he had been to college. I'm sure

he praises were being rung of Mr. Eccles. I'm not sure

You heard him say that she was as good as taken: they must have traced the earring

her with a twenty-

d Tod. "This will be a

some bills, her nose red with the cold: and I was boxing Hugh's ears, for he was in one of his frightfully

there's that tr

the mater, t

d caught half the thieves in Christendom. "She turned into the yard as bold as brass; so I just slipped t

ty," cried Mrs. Todhetley, after a bewildered pause. "We

had. I'll go to her

oor-the old red shawl, and the black bonnet, and the white muslin cap border, all the same as before. Before I got quite up, the kitchen-door was c

to her eyes; "my tongue would fail if I tried it. 'Tis not many as would have trusted a stranger; and, that, a poor body li

saw her face and heard her voice and words. If this woman w

lly, looking daggers as she heard it,

s heard that she's suspected, and brings back t

except by a nod-and she took the woman into the little store-room

name was," she asked, "wh

'n, m

nt over to Islip, and no one there knew anything about

must have mistook somehow. I live in the little cottage, ma'am, by the dung-heap. I've lived

ays by the na

o other, ma'am.

there was the honest wrinkled old face looking up at us openly. But, on the oth

hter, and in what part of Worcester

t felt all the way, thinking what the matter could be-I found that she had fell from the parlour window that she'd got outside to clean, and broke her arm and scarred her fa

plunging into the matter, but not without hesitation. "I think I must h

. I should have gave

ted wrathful Molly; who had come in to get some eggs, un

e, or our silence and looks, I don't know; but the w

to lift itself from the horror-stricken face. "Did you think I could do so ill a turn, and after all the kindness

d; "I said so all along. It might

she reiterated, the tears raining down

ved myself guilty than that poor woman. Mrs. Todhetley thought with me. She offered her some wa

f the earring than I

e she does

unbearable. I wonder y

. Todhetley. "Only think of her cooking! an

what had occurred, saying that the mother and I were two muffs, fit to go about the world in a

ey, in her mild way. "She brought that back. It does not stand to reason that she

he had got rid of the earring, she'd show up here to throw suspicion off herself. And she couldn't

rit in the world, began to veer round again li

ost washed out of it, and the edges in tatters. I know a tramp when I sees one: and the wo

stream. It was getting dusk when Cole called in, on his way from the Coneys. The Squire laid the gr

asked Cole. "Nutten?-of Islip? Ar

. We interpreted

would say it. I'll lay a gu

hoed the Squire. "S

Cole. "I have a great respect for old Mrs. Norton

at she lived in the cottage

nice dung-heap it is; the d

know this woman-that she's not a tram

r pass my window this morning: she seemed to be comin

ressed?" asked

bonnet black. I've never seen her dressed o

aughter in servi

so. It's Susan. Oh, it is the sam

nging word back from Islip that she was not known t

utt. I questioned him about it this afternoon, sir, and he

or Mrs. Norton was Mrs. Norton, and had been suspected wrongly.) For, failing the tramp vi

ved the Squire. "Now that he has the case well in

ened by the sight of your earring again." And Cole went out, telling us we were going to have a

ut I have been so flustered this morning by that parso

show, made after Tod's fancy-but with the young parson. Upon arriving and unfolding the said shirt, Miss Timmens found that she had brought the wrong shirt-one of th

mper, 'and a little dancing as well, and let 'em go out on the green daily and step their figures to a fife and tambourine!' 'There's nothing like education,' he goes on, staring hard at me, as if he hardly knew whether to take my words for jest or earnest; 'and it is well to unite, as far as we can, the ornamental with the useful, it makes life pleasanter. It is quite right to teach girls to hem dusters and darn stockings, but I think some fancy-work should be added to it: embroidery and the like.' 'Oh, you great baby!' I thought to myself, and did but just stop my tongue from saying it. 'Will embroidery and music and drawing help these girls to scour floors, and cook dinners, and w

n face quite fiery with anger. Mrs. Todhetley shook her head; she did not approve o

's over; and if it suits we'll get on with the rest," c

or her bread at menial offices when she has had fine notions instilled into her. Grammar, and geography, and history, and botany, and music, and singing, and fancy-work!-what good will they be of to her in making beds and cleaning saucepans? The upshot will be that they won

e sun, and were quite uninjured. Mrs. Todhetley remembered then, though it had slipped her memory before, that in coming indoors after the interview with the woman at the gate,

s fast as his legs would carry him, and thence to Worcester by train. What an unfortunate mistake it would

as he went bursting into the police-station and to the pr

d the sergeant, facing round from a lette

quire tol

stolen at

ble old body indeed, nothing of the tramp about her. You-you have not gone any lengths yet with

a minute, as if n

nal man at all in the matter," said

know. The gentleman you suspect

I have not susp

urned the Squire, somewhat nettled. "Eccles made a con

. "I really do not know wh

o me on Sunday afternoon: a well-dressed, gentlema

ow any Detec

orted the Squire, in wrath. "He came straight to me from yo

said the sergeant. "It

'll be for telling me next the sun never

ame of Eccles, and I have not sent any one to you. As a proof that I could not have done it, I may tell you, sir, that I

st he revolved probabilities, an

you had found the earring, and your doubts of the honesty of the man who had bought it-the l

skly. "Brought away the oth

d. What else did

not returned

course not. You h

" cried Cripp, quietly. "Dodged out of it, sir. The man who went over to you m

" debated the unfortunate pater, sitting o

th a suppressed laugh. "I might tell you I had a duke f

will be if that other earring's gone! Don't you think some one i

tley," said the sergeant, opening the door; "but I c

was not known at the station,

by way of consolation. "The swell-mob would not have known there was a val

lboy, after leaving stringent orders with Cripp and his m

like a detective as I'm li

tfully mortifying

drank down the ale! I wonder he did not co

aughing, sir! Do you thin

" said bold Tod. "It

the world, got up in good clothes and a moustache; and heartily promising the absent

s. Todhetley lost