The Cardiff Times

A utan advertises to restore old paintings. Wonder how many he has stolen. A Kentuckian who had a claim against a rail- road in that state for 40Cdol. for damages in a smash-up, was recently visited by one of the com- pany s lawyers, who inquired What sort of in- did you sustain ? Narvous injury, 3ir." To wnat extent ? "To sich an extent that my o.d shot-gun now wobbles about so much that no longer ago than yesterday I hbot at a rabbit Il and knocked over the best coon-dog in all Ken- tuck. I've rj on my claim to 700dols., and I'm to push is until somebody. hollers for mercy." wait St. News.

FROZEN HEARTS: A Tale of Coronation Day Fifty Years Ago. By J. C. Manning (Carl Morganwg). Author of "Gwendoline," "Saul and other Poems," The Philanthropist," "Ye Ballade of Ladye Marguerite," The Coastguard," and other Worki. CHAPTER XV.—TH* GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER. On Monday morning, at half-past niae o'clock, George Woodleigh presented himself at the Cloisterbury Bank for the purpose of entering upon his new appointment. He bad heard of the dead body having been found at the Old Mill Weir the day before, and had gone round to Mill Cottage in the evening to see Grandfather Framp- ton, with the view of obtaining correct informa- tion on the subject, the wildest rumours having gained currency, both in Bathtown and Cloister- bury, in reference to the tragic eveut. He arrived at the Mill shortly after Vidooq had taken his departure, and found both Grandfather Frampton and poor old Dolly in groat trouble over the events of the day. His first impulse was to make the miller acquainted with the contents of the printed handbill which referred to the milia- ing man—for, from the description which tGrand- father Frampton gave him ot the dead body, there seemed little reason to doubt that it was the corpde cf the man to whom the plaoard referred. On second thoughts, however, he felt that nothing could be gained by adding to the bewilderment of the two occupants of the cottage, both of whom he rightly assumed were ignorant of the relations that unfortunately subsisted between Alice and the impostor, and he left the cottage without referring to the handbill in any way. When George presented himself at the Bank, therefore, on the following morning, it was with a heavy heart, and with some foreboding as to bow far the absent Alice might be compromised by recent events, and how far they might affeot his own prospects arising out of his intimate associa- tion with the girl. His first thought was one of satisfaction that a serious stumbling-block between himself and his love had been removed. This fact, under o liferent circumstances, would have been a source 0: unmitigated pleasure, as bringing him nearer and nearer to the shrine of his passionate adoration. It was now chastened by the fear of what might grow out of it injurious to the object of his fanciest love. On entering the bank parlour, ho was told by the messenger that Mr Goodman had not yet arrived, but that the manager, Mr Chaffing, was in the Bank, and would be glad to see him. Follow- ing the messenger, he was ushered into the presence of the manager, who sat at a desk open- ing and reading the usual correspondence of the day. Mr Chatfins was a tall, dark, stern, middle- aged, forbidding-looking man. He woro specta- cles, and had a habit of scowling over the glasses in a sinister fashion at anyena with whom he entered into conversation. His eyes were dark, piercing, and supernaturally btight-and as the light from their unfathomable depths filtered through the black, overhanging eyebrows, they bad the appearance of portions of a glassy lake seen through foliage that fringed the margin of the shadowy water. A long, bony face, heavy, protruding chin, a wide, upper lip deeply over- lapping a set of large, white, prominent teeth, a small, pinched-up nose looking as though it had been added to the face as an afterthought, hair cut all over close to the head, and face cleanly and closely shaven, showing the dark outline of the roots of the beard and whiskers through a sallow skin that had a strong resemblance to a layer of painter's putty. "Well, sir." came out with a jerk from the direction of the parchment face, which went on scrutinising the correspondence without turning towards the object addressed. So you have come to put us all right at the Bank, have you." George had entered by a side door, and stood with his hat in his hand, in doubt whether the remark was addressed to him or to somebody else. Not seeing anybody else in the room he concluded that the observation was meant for himself, and faltered out some sort of reply to the trying sug- gestion, which he fancied might possibly have been meant in a jocular spirit. Nine thirty-five, Tracey." This was another exclamation that came out from the direction of the parchment face, and was intended to indicate that one of the bank clerks who had just entered the room was five minutes behind time. And still the parchment face went on scrutinising the correspondence. Nine thirty-seven, Elliott." This was the record as another clerk entered, and so on through the whole gamut of clerks, numbering four or five, who severally took their stand against a desk ranged on each side of a long, low tunnel of a room, across the upper end of which a counter was placed, over which the money-changing went oa during business hours— from ten to four. A sky-light in the roof was She only means of enlightenment, the front being still dark with closed doors and shuttered windows. Dust and grime prevailed everywhere. The roof was dense with cobwebs, and the walls looked as though they had shed many tears in their time, which had rolled down their cheeks to the ground in unrestricted flow, and left their dirty marks as a record of the fact. The counter was a greasy deal baard, worn bright by constant friction, and fixed on a piece of ricketty panel-work that had once been stained mahogany, but had long since given up appearing in anything but ita true colour of dirty brown. Everything had a dingy, dismal appearance, as though intended to operate as a protest against the assumption that there was anything but the most abject poverty prevailing everywhere— a miserable poor sort of look, such as a pauper would give when asking alms in the last straight of dire necessity. Want somebody to put us right, I think. Seem to do pretty well as they like—here." This was another jerky effort trom the parchment face, which continued its perusal of the correspondence, making no sign as to the recognition of anything in the plate but the letters, they were opened one by one, and carefully placed under certain weights for purposes of classification. "Skulk!" This was a word that brought the old messenger from a hole in the wall. Mr Goodman not come yet ? Not yet, Sir." And the apparition dropped again into the obscurity of the hole in the walJ, as though it felt that that was the safest place. The dark eyes gleamed out from over the glasses and from under the shaggy eyebrows, towards an old-fashioned case clock that bung against the wall, and the parchment face seemed to be preparing to trumpet forth the record— Nine forty-five, John Goodman "—wften the hole in the wall again became animated^ and a quaint old head gave a curious side jerk, and instantly disappeared as though in terror at what it had done. This was the signal indicating the arrival of Mr John Goodman—the head and front, the top and bottom, the outside and the inside, the every- thing—of the great bouse of Goodman, the Golden Grasshopper, of Cloisterbury," the big metallic heart of the shire, whose pulsations vibrated through every vein of the county— bringing life or death to everybody and to every- thing, just as it happened to make up its mind to beat or to stand still. Thtw parchment face disappeared through another hole in the wall, and everything was as silent as the grave, the only indication of life being the measured beat of the ancient clock, and an occasional footfall on the pavement outside. All this time George Woodleigh had stood un- noticed where he had placed himself on first enter- ing the bank. He felt keenly the abrupt way in which he had been received, and the ssupercilious manner in which his presence had been ignored. The dismal interior struck a chill to his heart. It was so different from what he had pictured to himself—the bright dreams of fancy that he had built up on the outside rumours that gave to the Golden Grasshopper unlimited wealth and bound- less power. He found it impossible to realise dirt, and grime, and cobwebs, and tear-stained walls as the natural outgrowth of gold and silver in abundance, and his very soul sickened with a sense of utter disappointment that his brilliant dream should have oeen so soon and so effectually falsified beyond hope of amendment. The clerks had evidently had ttitlr work arranged fot them previous to their arrival. Each stood like a mute statue at the desk, taking no note of anything but the books before them. But every look and every movement of George was closely scrutinised by all of them. This was done I bymeans of an artful arrangement of small mirrors on each desk. by which an uninterrupted view of the whole interior was obtained from all points. The parchment face flattered itself that it had brought this arrangement of mirrors to perfection. And so it bad. The glassy eyes were even then scowling over the spectacles from the little parlour at the back through a -uare tole in the wall craf- tily mirrored so as to command the situation at a glance. Therewerebits oflooking-glassstuckevery- where, and not a move could be made, nor a look given, in any part of the bank, that was not imme- diately made apparent to anyone who chose to avail himself of the artful mechanism. Thus, when George Woodleigh fancied himself ignored by the parchment facj, the glassy eyes were look- ing him through and through and while his heart sank at the studious way in which all the clerka turned their fcices from him, they were really watching him, though apparently intent upun their work. Just as the ancient clock on'th9 tearful wall beeiaa to strike ten. a stream of light was let into the upper end of the dismal tunnel by the re- moval of two small shutters from two small windows, bo-h of which were heavily grated, giving to the interior the appearance of a prison cell. There was a rumbling of bolts and bar, the central doors flew open just as the clock recorded the last stroke of ten-and the Golden Grass- hopper was open to the world for business. The first customer that entered was Bingo th« beadle. He must have been waiting outside for the doors to open, for the moment they flew back upon their rurty hinges he bustled in-clad in all the glory of official life. George Woodleigh he shouted, as he ap- proached the greasy counter, and began to search a small bundle of papers he held in his hand, tied round with a piece of red tape. Drawing one of the papers from the bundle, be held it up in his hand, and peered into the gloomy interior as though in quest of someone to whom the might deliver it, Ob, here you are," said he, on getting sight of George, who stood on the other side of the counter, his face reddening on hearing his name called out, and gradually becoming pallid as he realished the unexpected situation. Crowner's inquest at the mill at two o'clock, Mr Woodleigh," said the beadle, handing to George a coroner's summons to attend as a witness. Nice morning—good morning." And the old man bustled away, len-vinv George with the sum- mons in his hand, and with the thought upper- most in his mind that it would be a luxury if the ground were to open at his feet and swallow him up. While this was going on, the clerks had brought all their mirrors into requisition. Not a move bad been lost upon them, although they had apparently not taken the slightest notice of any- thing—not even turning their beads or leeming to take the remotest interest in the matter. This was a great comtort to George, who thought the incident might possibly have escaped their notice altogether, but his heart grew sick within him when he opened the summons and realised the purport of it, set forth, as it was, in the chilling phraseology of official diction that gave to the incident the semblance of an event of fearful import. Woodleigh wanted This was another summons that came from the hole in the wall through which George had first entered the dis- mal tunnel of cobwebs and tears. The young man started at the snddenness of the invitation. His nerves were altogether unstrung. He had no heart for anything. It seemed an age since he entered the bank, although he had been there little more than half an hour. Conflicting emo- tions had completely unmanned him and when, having followed the ancient messenger, he found himself in the little parlour face to face with the scowHng eyes of glass and the great Golden Grasshopper himself, he trembled like a guilty thing, and hisface was as whiteand as woe-begone aa though he were about to be arraigned before his judges for the commission of some dreadful untold crime. "You are wanted at an inquest at two o'clock to-day, I understand, Woodleigh," said the Golden Grasshopper. The head of the house of Goodman had acquired this title from the fact that over the front door of the bank a large gilded grasshopper was suspended, in imitation of the historical sign adopted by Sir Thomas Gresham, the King's Exchanger in the time of Henry VIII., and the founder of the Royal Exchange. George explained in a faint and trembling voice that he had unexpectedly received a summons to attend, but he was at a loss to understand why ha should have ben summoned. "Ah exclaimed the parchment face. "What has he to do with the murder?" And the glassy eyes glared over the spectacles at him, as though they were pinning a helpless butterfly in a case and gloating over its misery. When George encountered that malignant glance he remembered the words of Alice, and be felt that his selection for the bank appointment had made him one deadly enemy at least, if not more. The enmity of the nephew he had already surmised. That of tHe uncle he now knew. Last seen in the company of the murdered man, I hear," suggested the Golden Grasshopper, looking inquiringly at George, whose knees trembled and bis whole frame shook with ex- citement. "That is untrue," replied George with husky voice, and laying hold of the back of a chair to steady himself. A feeling of indignation was fast taking the place of every other emotion. The coroner will be the best judge of that," said the manager, rising, and again concentrating his glittering glance upon the young man, who returned the look with one of defiance. "You can spare him to-day, Mr Cbaffins, I presume?" said the Golden Grasshopper, ad- dressing the manager, who was about to retire. I'll endeavour to do so," replied the manager, in a tone ot scornful sarcasm, as he moved towards the door. "Then you can be absent to-day, Woodleigh," said the Golden Grasshopper. "Be at the bank at half-past nine in the morning." If he is not by that time under lock and key in bridewell," muttered the sardonic manager to himself, as he emerged from the hole in the wall and took his seat in the grimy temple of gold and silver-of shadowy cobwebs, of tearful walls, and of many tell-tale mirrors. George Woodleigh's heart was too full for speech. He faltered out his thanks for the con- cession that had been accorded in his behalf, but made a poor exhibition of himself in the attempt. Then, bowing his way out of the room, he found himself standing alone in the struet, sick to the very foundation of his over-sensitive nature, cruelly crushed in spirit, and as nearly broken- hearted as it was possible for him to be. (To be continued.)

NO BLACK. He stood on the corner of Woodward-avenue and Congress-street, and seemed to look far, far away. Black yer butes?" queried a shiner who came across the street. No answer. I- Orter to be blacked," continued the boy. Feller may have on ever so nice duds, but if his butes don't shine be don't look like a gent." The man looked a mile further away. It won't be but five cents, you know, and a nickel won't burst your bank account. It's won- derful how much shine you can get for a little money. What do you say ?" The man's eyes seamed to be following a furni- ture waggon as it rolled down the street, but he was silent. D,,)Il" want to press the matter, you know, but if you could give me an answer inside of an hour I'd be very much obliged. I like to see a maa think deeply -before deciding an important matter." The man came back to this world long enough to spit over his shoulder and move aside for a man with a ladder, and thon he took flight again. Perhaps you'd like to have me meet you here &t this hour to-morrow?" suggested the boy. It would be no trouble at all, I assure you, as I expect to be around every day in the week for some years to come. What's your idea ? The man placed his hand on the lamp-post, and looked fixedly at the third-storey windows opposite. 11 oli, well," observed the boy, "we wont quarrel over a trifle. Yo go your way and I'll go mine. If you can stand it to go around town with such boots, I can stand it to have you. No hard feelings, however, you know I We are simply estranged from this hour, just estranged. We pass by, but we don't speak. Tra-la And as he went down the avenue to mingle with the maddening crowd, the stranger walked up it as if searching for some quiet nook where he could sit and converse with his soul.

A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING. Boar d of Health Officer: at Mrs U'Giniiis, I told you last month that the keeping of that pig up here was a nuisance, and it would have to be abated." Mrs M'Ginniss: "An' sure Oi've abayed yer instructions. Oi've bin a-batin' the poor baste wid a club iver since th' occasion of yer last visit."

When a man gets to be a leader of working men he is able to quit work. Philadelphia North American. One ot the wheelmen of Biddeford, Me., is a gravestone maker. They say that he loans his bicycle to beginners, aa a matter of business.— Sfirinfrieli Unm, 1

EXPERIENCES OF A DETECTIVE. By James McGovan. NO. 15.-THE SWELL MOBSMAN'S DIA. MOND RING. I could scarcely believe my own eyes when Ned Aarons, the swell mobsman, dressed in his best, walked into the office, and bowed to me in his most aristocratic style, and said— "I want to have a word with you, Mr McGovan, as soon as you are free." The first flash of thought was-What could he want with me? The time was about two o'clock on a bright, sunshiny day in summer, so I could not believe that he had come there to betray any companion in crime, or be would have chosen a time when be was less likely to be seen and recognised. Besides, Aarons bad some Jewish blood in his veins, and did not let himself mingle much with the herd. He trusted few, and, there- fore, was less likely to have anyone to betray. Yet the air of the man, the superb haughtiness and affected gentility, did not indicate that he had.come to deliver himself up. He daintily removed one glove from his white hands, and as a great favour offered me the paw to shake, an honour which I affected not to observe. I am surprised to see you here," I at length remarked. "You haven't come to-to give your- self up ?" SIB, DO YOU WISH TO INSULT ME ? "Insult you? Ob, no," and I grinned at the idea of insulting a man who had already spent half of his life in prison, till I remembered Ned's great professional vanity, and then understood that the question was an insult, not to his charac- ter, but to his talent. "1 come as an ordinary, respec u'Ll citizen to make a complaint," he continued loitiiy. "I am entitled to justice, surely, in spite of any little slips I may have made." "Certainly. I assure you that there is no one to whom I should have greater pleasure in dealing out strict justice than to you." He writhed a little, for he was by no means dull in intellect, but it was not to his interest to resent the remark, so he passed it over. I have come about my diamond ring," he calmly continued. You have noticed my dia- mond ring, I suppose?" I wished at the moment that I could have dealt a blow to his vanity by saying 1, No," but I could not, for I bad repeatedly noticed the flash of that ring. It was the culmination of his vanity and his nationality. No Jew who could afford it ever went without a diamond. It is the weakness of the race, and the more volgar the parson the bigger the gems, though diamonds on Jews, as on showmen, only bring their ugly points more strongly into relief. I reluctantly admitted that I bad noticed the diamond ring, and added with truth that, I had sometimes wondered bow he came by it. Aarons passed over the remark as a tribute to his genius, and added with virtuous severity— "Well, that lovely ring—which I wouldn't have sold for £ 50—— has been stolen from ms." "Stolen from you?" I said pointedly. "How was it done ?" That's more than I can tell," he answered, looking rather crestfallen. I don't think I am an easy man to work, yet one day about a week ago that ring was taken off my finger so neatly that I never felt it going, and to this minute I have not the faintest idea who took it." I stared at him, and the look must have been none of the pleasanteat. I thought I saw it all. He had disposed of the ring, and now came to us with a cock-and-bull story of having been robbed. It may have dropped off your finger." I shortly returned. "Perhaps, for my fingers are rather taper," and he caressed the fingers admiringly with a woman's weakness, "but it's not likely. I am certain the ring was taken from me, and that's what cuts me." Yes, a theft is excessively annoying when you don't happen to be the stealer," I sympathetically observed. Well, you can give me a description of the ring, and if we bear of anything resembling it we'll keep you in mind." "Stop, stop! not so fast, "interposed the grand gentleman before me, not disposed to be shaken off so quickly. "I didn't come hereto tell you only that the ring had been taken from me, but where you'll find it." Oh indeed I cried, with suddenly quick- ened interest; "that will simplify matters amaz- ingly and yet you said you did not know who took the ring ?" 4- No more I do, for the jeweller won't tell that, of course he won't, knowing he'll be had up for buying stolen property. I made him a fair offer. 1 said to him, You give me my rin;{, and I'll say no more about it,' but he wouldn't, so I came to get you to smarten him up a bit." You're quite sure it's your ring?" "Sure? I'll swear to it anywhere." Oh, I daresay—you're quite fit for that." "And pick it out of a sackful anywhere." That's better. Well, who's the jeweller?" He named the man, a respectable dealer in one of the best thoroughfares. There must be a mistake on your side," I gravely observed. Gaulton would not buy stolen goods. He is very particular what he buys and whom he buys it from. I have taken many a man through him, and I hope to take more," and I looked meditatively across at the pretty figure before me. "Well, here's bow it is," Aarons continued. "I saw the ring in his window to-day, and had a good look at it from tho outside. Then I went in and asked to see it. He didn' seem to care much about it, but, after putting his man between me and the door, he brought it out of the window and put it into my band. I knew it the moment I looked inside, for there were some letters scratched out-the initials of someone, I s'pose, that the ring had belonged to before I got it-and I knew it by them marks. Says I to him, pretty smart, "This ring's been stolen, and I'm the one it was stole from.' You should have see'd how he grabbed it back and put it away. He didn't want me to look at it too much, 'cos for why ?-it was my ring, and stolen property would be sure to get him into trouble," "Did he say how or where he got it ?" Wouldn't say a blessed word about it, swore at me like old boots, and said he'd bring in the perleece." Says I, Two can play at that game, so you may expect Mr McGovan down here in ten minutes; and, if you want to keep out of trouble, you'd better put that ring where he won't find it.' Well? He said he'd put it back in the winder as he wasn't afraid of no mortal man, and he did and, by Jove, it's sticking there now." I said that the jeweller's action did not augur well for Aarons' case, and as the swell mobsman had no more to tell, I took down a description of the ring, and dismissed him. He wished to go with me back to the jeweller's, but I declined the pleasure, as I wished to get the jeweller's account of the transaction, without allowing Ned an opportunity of fitting his statements into the facts. An hour or two later I went down to Gaulton's, and was lucky enough to find the jeweller himself in the shop. I had a look at the window before entering, and saw several diamond rings, mounted with large single stones, and all pretty near the description of Aarons'. "I've been expecting you," said the jeweller, frankly, as I entere". and that's why I didn't go home to dinner." "It's about a diamond ring," I said, with a smile. He nodded, and, going to the window, brought thence a very fine single stone ring, which he placed in my bands. It did look as like the one I bad seen Aarons wear as one diamond ring can be like another. "A man named Aarons has lodged a complaint with us that this ring, which you are now offering for sale, is his property, and has been stolen from him." Yes, and he's more like a thief himself," warmly returned Gaulton. "He is a thief," I quietly returned, "but even a thief may be robbed, and may call upon us to get back his property. If you can satisfactorily account for possession of the ring, I should say he will have a poor chance of getting it back, but I don't think he would come near us unless he felt very sure of his case. Still, there is no saying- these fellows have impudence for anything." I can account for the ring to you, in strict confidence, of course," said Gaulton, without any hesitation. "Do you know Todd, the clothier?" and he added the name of a fine street in the New Town. "Yes, did you buy it from Mm 1" "I did and paid him 235 for it, He brought the ring in to mo to ask if it was really a diamond. I said it was, and offered him twenty pounds for the ring more to convince him than with any idea of buying it. He said he .did not mean to sell tba ring, and that it was one his wife had got as a present. However, he came back next day, and said that as it was a gent's ring,and he would never wear it, he was ready to sell it; so that's the whole affair. I don't think Todd is a man likely either to steal a ring or tell a lie about one, and JS55 is neither here nor there with him." I agreed with the jeweller as to Todd', charac- ter, but then what about Todd's wife ? A present might mean anything by a Woman's way of reasoning. She might have picked the ring up off the street and given it to herself as a present, or she might playfully have taken the ring off someone's finger, and coolly announced that sho would keep it. I thought I should like to see her husband, who had been the actual seller. I went along to the west-end, and found the shop easily, but was told that Todd bad gone home, and would not be back that day. The house was at Stockbridge, and I did not feel in- clined to walk so far that afternoon, but the eipht of the Stockbridge 'bus passing the corner of the street made me change my mind. I hailed the 'bus, got a seat outside, and was soon down at the clothier's fine house. The clothier was in a comfortable, good-natured frame of mind, but became grave enough when I gave him tiiy name, and uttered the words Diamond ring." IS THERE ANYTHING WSOND WITH THE BING ? 1 "Is there anything wiong with it?" he said seriously, "If so, my wife can explain it all," and he laid a hand on the bell, but I interposed. G. Perhaps that is not necessary," I politely answered." "You said to Gaulton that your wife got the ring in a present? Well, I did say that, but it was half in juke, for I might as well say that she found it, yet there would be less truth in that than in the other statement. The truth is, I don't know whether you could call it a present or a find, or either, but you shall decide. My wife was taking out her purse one night to get her watch-key to wind her watch before going to bed when she found that ring in her pocket. She had no idea how long it had been there, or how it had got there, or who had put it there. 'Look what I've found in my pocket,' she said, and I looked at it, and thought that it was a valuable diamond ring. Then she remembered being in the 'bus a day or two before and feeling a push as if someone bad been trying to pick her pocket. She did not look round, as the 'bus was full, and she was standing, but she clapped her hand on her pocket outside, and made sure that berpurse was still theie. My idea, is that someone had been trying to pick her pocket, wearing that ring, and that in the sudden whisk out the ring had been drawn off and left behind. She agreed with me,and we now had great doubts as to the diamond being a real one, for who ever beard of a thief having a real diamond ?" I have often. It is as easy for a man to steal a real diamond as a false one." True I did not think of that. Well, I took the ring to Gaulton, who is a great friend of mine, to get his opinion on it, and he offered to buy it. I didn't quite like the idea of wearing such a ring myself, and besides, it would not look well on my little finger, and as I thought the loser was well served, why, I agreed." Here was an unexpected revelation. I bad no doubt of the absolute truthfulness of the account, which fitted in so exactly with the favourite occu- pation of Ned Aarons, but my difficulty was to decide how to act under the circumstances. Was I to charge these respectable people with unlawful possession and selling, while a known pickpocket and swell mobsman jjosed virtuously before the world as the prosecutor ? There would be justice standing on its head with a vengeance. And yet 1 could see no other courre. I had no doubt that if the statement of Mrs Todd were made known at Aarons' he would readily admit that he had been in the Stockbridge 'bus on that very day, and had never since seen the ring, though, as to trying her pocket—that, of course, was quite out of the qustion-he would not descend to such an act for worlds or, if he admitted tae possibility of the act, he would certainly deny the possibility of so bungling as to reveal his intentions to the victim. Mrs Todd was called in, and she confirmed the statements of her husband, both readily agreeing to refund the money to Gaulton should be be called upon to deliver up the ring to the owner. Nothing could have been more fair and satisfac- tory, and I ought to have left the place highly pleased with the result of my visit, but I did not. The feeling all came of a prejudice I had against Aarons. He was too clever for me in many ways, but in this case had been exceptionally lucky. Mrs Todd had not looked round when her pocket had been tried, and so could not be expected to THEN SHE REMEMBERED BEING IN THE "BUS." identify the iran. The only evidence I bad against Aarons, then. was the ring itseif-found in a lady's pocket. It was just possible, however, that a ring might drop off a man's finger, fall among the folds of a lady's dress, and so drop into her pocket. It was a queer case, with queer evidence, but I had little hope of obtaining a con- viction, and it seemed almost certain that Aarons would get back the ring and walk off laughing at us all. The words of Mr Todd, Who ever heard of a thief having a real diamond ? had prompted me with a strange thought, and I decided that it could do no harm to allow Aarons to want his ring a short time while I followed up the suggestion, merely forbidding Gaulton to sell the ring or dispose it for sale. I went to Howie, the publican, and through him tried to discover what towns and cities Aarons bad lately favoured with his presence. The list was a long one, and spread over a period of three years, and a message to each of the places brought the information of the kind I desired, But, curiously—as it struck me—in the list Glasgow did not appear, though I had reason to believe that Aarons bad spent many ye&rs in that city. For three years he had persistently shunned that excellent and wide field for his | talent, though it lay so convenient to our own city. What was the cause of this prejudice? I got a list of articles reported lost or stolen in Glasgow during the period immediately precad- ing those three years, and found in that list the < following entry;—"Gent's diamond ring, single stone; valued at £ 65; marked inside with letters —'E.W. To this entry was added the singu- lar note, "Believed to have been stolen." The j name and address of the owner were easily got, and a note from me brought the gentleman through to Edinburgh. I had not asked him to we, but merely to descnbe the exact spot on the ring at which his initials E. W." were engraved, and in his reply he not only did so, but announced his intention of coming through to see me, as the ring he had lost was of more value to him than j fifty rings of the same price. From a litho- graphed beading to the notepaper I learned that Mr Waller was partner in an influential firrr of i shipbrokers, and I expected to see an old man, When the caid was placed in my hanj, I looked up in the face of the giver with an odd smile. He was n,)t above thirty, handsome, quipk and incisive in his manner, and apparently one who had seen many shades of life. He evidently expected to find the ring in my possession, and showed his disappointment. I There is a dispute about a ring of the kind," I cautiously observed, but unluckily the initials have been scratched out. Is there no possibility of you identifying your ring by any other means?" Certainly. I should know the diamond alone without the ring at ali. There is a slight flaw in the stone at the side." I asked him to describe the flaw, for Gaulton had already pointed out one to me when showing me the found ring, and the answers seemed in every way satisfactory. How did you lose the ring?" I next asked, and then the handsome face became black as thunder. Lose it ? I didn't lose it I could not lose it," he passionately exclaimed, "for it fitted that finger so tightly that I could never get it off but by soaping my finger. It was stolen from me by dastardly rogue of a Jew—a showman or an actor or something—who used to play billiards with me. His name was Aaron Edwards. I had a great blow a short time before in the death of the lady who gave me the ring. We were to" have been married, but she fell into a decline, and when she knew that she was to be taken she had that ring made and my iLitials engraved inside. But the letters were to mean more than my name; she said they should stand for 'Ever Watchful'— meaning though she was taken from me she would be ever near me, watching and guarding me from every evil and all danger. This may seem very foolish to you, but it was life to me. I got to look upon that ring as a kind ot talisman— a sacred JEgis, protecting me as wall as remind- ing me of her. Well, I got introduced to that dastardly Jew, and from the first he envied me possession of that ring. 1 don't know why he should have set his heart on that more than any other perhaps because I said I should never part with it whiie th9re was a breath in my body, or, perhaps, simple greed. At any race, he tried to get me to stake it in various ways at billiards, but I never could be persuaded to risk it. At length he got me one night into a den in the Gallowgate, where he drugged the drink, and next day I awoke with my ring gone." Why did you not inform the police?" Mr Waller drew himself up to his full height and said proudly— "Do I look like a man who would need the police to fight his battles? No, no there's some strength in these fists, and I assure you I know how to use them. I guessed at once who had taken the ring, and I went off to the rascally Jew, and found him with it on his finger. Ho ooolly said that I had lost it to him at cards the night before, and offered to bring witnesses to prove his statement." And what did you do ?" Do? I simply let fly at him. I pounded his face into a jelly—I shut up his two eyes for a week, and then kicked him all over the room till he howled for mercy, confessed it was all false, tore the ring from his finger, and placed it on my hand. There were three of his confederates look- ing on, but they never ventured to lift a hand or put in a word all the time. I was excited at the moment, and felt strong enough to have polished off the whole gang." And you lost the ring after thus recovering it?" Yes, the Jew never forgave me, I think and though I never spoke to him or played with him again, he got scmeone to drug me a week or two after, for I was found lying in the street quite insensible and taken to the Police Office as drunk and incapable. The ring was gone, and I have never seen it since. The knuckle of my finger was grazed where they had torn it off. I went to I the Jew again, but he had no ring. I had him arrested, butlt did no good: the ring was securely hidden, I suppose, and when he was liberated he had only to get the ring and slip away out of the hidden, I suppose, and when he was liberated he had only to get the ring and slip away out of the town with it. I have ueverseen him since." I looked across at the excited narrator with such animation and pleasure in my face that he wonderingly stopped and said- You have got the ring ? I'm sure you have- I can read it in your eyes." I have not; but I think you are likely to re- cover it," I hastened to assure him. No the cause of my elation is not what you think. Would you know this Jew again?" "Know him? You put him before me, with a dozen men beside him, and try me I took him down to Gaulton's, and had the ring brought out of the safe, mixed with three more resembling it and placed before him. He picked out the right one, and bent over it for a moment with his hand trembling and his eyes gogglino, Then he raised in to his lips and kissed it, and the tear which started from his eye at the moment appeared brighter than the gem in his hand. I took the ring with me, and we returned to the Central. During our absence Aarons had been there asking angrily for me, and kicking up a great row over the slowness of the police, and the idiotic stupidity of me in particular. If I did not show a little more smartness he'd make me suffer. Being terrified by this threat I hastened to show a little more smartness. I sent down a message to Howie's public-house to the effect that I was satisfied that the ring shown in Gaulton's window was really that which had belonged to him, but that, as there were some forms to be gone through before it could be restored, I should be pleased to see him at the office for a little. If he had knowr: all the "forms" he would have hesitated to accept the kind invitation, but it is the same with us all. We walk to our greatest joys and direst disasters with our eyes firmly closed. When Aarons arrived here he found me alone, with the diamond ring in his hand. "Take a good look at it," I said, holding out, but not relinquishing the gem. "You are quite sure now that it is your diamond ring ?" "Quite," he impressively returned. "I'd swear to it out of ten thousand." Well, do you know, Aarons," I said, becoming confidential, this ring was found by a lady-a lady who had been travelling in the Stockbridge 'bus —found in her pocket. Could you possibly have been travelling in that 'bus when you Jost it?" "I was he responded, with great animation. "I remember it distinctly; yes, and it had dropped off my finger and down among her dress, and so got into her pocket. To tbiDjt of that, now b "Perhaps your hand might, by the merest mistake, have got into her pocket, and so had the ring rubbed off it, eh ?" Aarons' face was a picture of cunning and de- light as he answered — "A very good joke, Mr M Govan very good— but I suppose there s no answer wanted to that?" I replied that there was not, but that, before he could get the ring, it would tie necessary for him to answer a few quest-ioaa. Where had he got it? Did he have the receipt font? Aarons had a deal to Say "I reply. He bad bought the ring years ago from a man in Enland whose name he forgot, The man was a travelling jeweller, and he did not know where that worthy travelling jeweller was now to be found. I said I thought I Could find him, and touched a bell on the table. Aarons ace s 10wed the most lively curiosity L Mr his jaw fell. Iri;an ^'ou the ring from," said tha new comei, auvancnig rapidly, and before I could AARONS WENT OVER LIKE A NINEPIN." rise and interpose be had dealt Aarons a terrific blow between the eyes. So powerful was that great ram that Aarons went over like a nine-pin, and when we picked him up lie was nearly senseless, with both eyes closing rapidly. When he had been revived a little with a dash of cold v.'ater, and propped iu a chiir,be attempted no denial and no defence, except that lie was not quite if the ring shown was that which he had lost alcor all. Unfortunately he had already declared that he could swear t,) it out of ten thousand, -o the doubt was quickly dismissed. He was off to the cells without making a. single corny],>ir,u as to my want of smartness, and he shürl" af'.er got two years' retirement in which to recover from his surprise.

^L!L" [ Giamorgan Antiquities. | By Henry G. Butterworth. j XXVIII.—COITT CASTLE.—PART I. Com Lorillynges, Now, hende in baule, and ye wolite here Of eldirs that b, f,lre. as were. That, lyffeda in nrattiuiie (honour) 1 wille yow telle of a knight, That both* stalworthu was ami wygbte, And ivorthiiy umlir trtuie (The Romance off Syr Ysambracej. We read in Virgil's glowing verse that what, wanderer—^ENEAS—with his baud of froigs heroes, the remnant of erst mighty Ilium, landed on the coast of Latium—their promised land. the haven of their rest—and commenced to lty -dovvo the lines of a city that should be to them a 0811 Troy, the hero sent an embassy bearing tbO boughs of Minerva, and carrying rich gifts TO ancient Latinus, the King of the country. The strangers were with much pomp ushered into the presence of the monarch, "who sat in big ancestral palace, surrounded by the cedar statue f of tue demi-gods and heroes of his line," There, too, were spoils of bygone wars Hung on the portals—ca.pt)*>> cars, Strong city gates with massive bars, Aiid battle-axes keen. And piumy cones from helmets shorn. And beaks from vanquished vessels torn. And darts and bucklers sheeu. Religious portents bad long disturbed his courti and warned him that a stranger would come TO claim his only daughter's hand, and the succession to his ancient throue. Making a virtue of uec«*' sity, the old king received his visitors WITB splendid ceremonies, and harkened to their declaration. hecognising the fulfilment of tb. auguries, he exclaimed, Let fftieas come-be II welcome. If this be the bridegroom sent b1 heaven, he shall be more welcome still." The peace is made when 1 behold him here. Much in the same way, according to the old story of Sir Edward Mansel, did the Norm»» soldier of fortune gain possession of Morgan »*> Meurig's castle of Coity, and win his dauJCbteri hand. When Fitz-Hamon apportioned the ispoil aong eleven of his knights, and endowed then* with lands for their service, leaving the twelfth- a young knight—unnoticed, then be, P&yO# iurberyilie asked Sir Robert where was his share« to which Sir Robert replied, Here are men, ANA here are arms, go get it where you cat).' SD Payne Turbervilie, with the men, went to Coity» and sent to Morgan, the Welsh lord, a messenger to ask if he would yield up the castle. Upon this Morgan brought out his daughter Sara W the hand, and passing through the army with his F word in his right baud, came to Payne Turber- vilie, ana told him, "if he would marry bid daughter, and so come like an honest mau into bis castle, he would yield the piace to him quickly, and if not,' said be, Let not the blood of our men bel lost, but let this sword aud arm of mine, those of yours, decide who shall call his own.' Upon this, Payne Turbeville drew blS sword and took it by the blade in his left hand, and gave it to Morgan, and with his right baud embraced the daugnter; aud after settling ever/ maEter to the liking of both sides, he went witu her to church and married her, and so came to tile lordship by true rignt of possession, and being SO counselie(i by Morgan, kept in his castle TWO thousand of the best of his Welsh soldiers." lheold story further runs, that having tiiug peaceably gained possession of the lands and castle hitherto held by the hereditary lord of Coity-Morgan ab Meurig, who was of the family I of iestyn ab Gwigan— independent of Fitz- Hamon, Payne Turberville objected to pay the nobie that was due to the chiei lord every YE ir to Sir Robert, but chose to pay it to Caradoc ab Jestyn, as the person he owned as chief lord of Glamorgan. This caused hot disputes, out Pain, with the help of bis wife's brother, got the better, till in some years after that it was settled I that all the lords should held of the seignory, which was made up of the whole number of LORDS in junction together." It was not long before Sir Payne, heading a formidable insurrection of the Welsh, led the insurgents to Cardiff, where tut besieged Fitz-Hamon in his own castle, who, it IS said, .0 in order to avert the storm, restored to the people their ancient rights and customs," a con- cession which probably was either soon revoked, or again abrogated when the Norman had firmly gained a hold on the country. Coity, or Coetty Castle, "the wood-house, being surrounded by woodland, the ruins of which are the most extensive in South Weies, with the exception of the great castle of Caerphiiiy, is said to have been built by Sir Payne Turbervilie, and Mr Clark assigns the oldest part to the time of Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the aon.in-law of Fitzllamon, and was intended simply toguard the private domains of its lord. Leland. who visited it in the reign of King Henry VIII., says 66 The castel of Coety standith ou a playn grounde mile by northest from Penbont (Bridgend), » good market town standing on Ogor. Coete castelle is also half a mile trom the west ripe of Wenny, and a mile from the west ripe of Ogor. This castelle is maintained, and some say that it longgid ons to Payne, caulhd for his ruffelitig there 'Diable. t Whether Sir Payne really gained this Satanic appellaiiou there is nothing to show, but it is recorded that "on opening a grave in the chancel ot Coity Church, for the interment of a late rector, Dr. Richards, a vault was discovered containing toe bodies of Sir Payne Turbervilie and his lady, and from the inscription it appeared that the kuight was to remain in purgatory forty days," irom this it is manifest that ifthatitlawas merited, he did not meet with his deserts. The Turbervilles were a Norman family. The original Tuberviile was rewarded with the manor of B re Regis, near Biaudford, in Dorset, said by Dr Stukeiey to have been the Ibernium of the Romans. Several monuments to the memory of the Turberville family may be seen in the parish church. It is probable that Sir Payne, the possessor of Coity, belonged to this family, perhaps a son of the old knight who fought under the bastard at Senlac. He certainly classes with the most powerful half of Fitz-Hamon's twelve followers, and the family of which he was the founder, "always showed," says Mr Clark, Welsh sympathies, and continued to hold a very high rank in the county until the fifteenth century, when the main line failed, as the cadet lines have since also failed, so that there remains now but the echo of this very considerable name." The Iolo MSS. record "that Pain Turbervilie was succeeded at Coity by eleven generations of his descendants, ending in the male line with Sir Richard Turbervilie, who, leaving no legitimate son, settled his property upon his nephew, Sir Lawrence Berkrolles." But more of this anon. The name or Turberville crops up in Mr Clark's excellent work The Laud of Morgan," from t time to time. 11 They held member lordsiiip^, with power of life and death and other Marcher privileges. Pagan de Turberville was among the witnesses to t'le fuuladation charter of Neach Abbey, about 1129, and another Payne Turoet- ville figures as a ieader among the military re- tainers on "ESTATES of thedoccased eari. William of Gloucester, and 110 Gilbert de Turberviiie, appeared before King Henry III., by the pay- ment of a horse for his fine on relief for his land," ana a year or two later he paid 25 marks.. nd AGAIN much later the lauds of Giioert de Turber- viJle, "at South Moiton and Marshnelo, nad been seized, and given to Herbert Jfltz- Matthew." In 1224, the men of Gla- morgan were referred to a Henry oe lurberville for the terms on which they might he admitted to the king's peace." And the same year the king extended his favour to several noblemen, among whom is mentioned Gilbert de Turbervilie. This is the year that followed A rebellion of the barons against the foreign court favourites of this miserable king (who, by the oye, was the first King of England that lived long enough to see bis Jubilee day). In 1242, "a dispute arose between Howel ap Meredith, Rnys ap Griffith, and Gilbert de Turbervilie TOUCHING an infraction of the truce in Miskin and iSeug- henydd." Matthew Paris speaks ot a Henrv DE Trubieville who was sent by King Henry 111. to assist the German emperor against the Icaliau j provinces, and who assisted at the siege of Mil M, and being a good soldier and great favour te of Richard Earl of Cornwall, met with many nooles at Northampton, and joined the Crusade, wliico, led by Earl Richard,redeemed Jerusalem A.D. 114-0. Florence of Worcester and Matthew of West- minster, both tell the following story of Thomas Turbervilie as soldier, who, under King Edward I., was taken prisoner by. the French at the siege of Ryaus. In order to gam his iiberty and tavour with his captors, he shewed them how by treachery they migut gain possession of England. And they rejoiced, and promised to give him an estate and no inconsiderable sum of money" He left his two nons as hostages, aud with a large sum of money proceeded to the court of Edward. This worthy plan was to briba the Prince of Wales (Madoc I presume) to renew the war, so tiiat when t king marched his armies into W».#; England might be left undefended, and at tha meicy of the Scots aud French. The king was at Canterbury when the spy reached his court, and told him he had escaped from France, and knew all the weak points in that country. And he lay,' says the chronicler, "hid like » twisting serpent, earring in bia box a honied drug with wilich hi-3 victims might be soothed, and made obedient to his conjurations." Having thus wormed himself into conridence, he despatched a 61 m'^nce with all the information he could glean The l8Uei. was 8topDed, and the lI^hwfm^ivT5 ^0Und witil thongs, he was led befoie Ldward in his tent, and, being accused, did not deny his crime. Scant mercy was shown a. traitor in those times. Turberviilu- as thrown down on a bull's hide, and lashed to the tails of six s rong horses, six riders sprang into their saddles, and the wretch was dragged over the rough stones of London, surrounded by four executioners iu masks, clad in trousers and pelisses, and bearing clubs. iduckedaud insulted by the rabble, beitteu with sticks, and pelted with filth, the miserable wretch was dragged to the foot of the gibbet. Ihe horses sprang apart, and the quivering wretch was torn asunder. His mangled remains were then hung on the gibbet as food for crows, jing denied Christian burial. The old monk .hl burst forth into song over the incident :— The cruel Thomas furberTille Disturbo-tr peace with wicked will; He was a irk but now tue K ng .Has. madt! on ashes, a vile thiuo. He joined .mseif to Satan's crtm^ Tuishai't country to undo; 'liil scve d upon an oxe's hide tie foun end of all his pride. To vex :<■••• uiury h delighted. Which n<. s treason has requited, i By justice i he was oVrburne, Allft rbfhteou: 'y by horses torn. OO David's foe Achitoph«;, j'erisheel an>l met his niea i in hell j And Thomas, vmo for br bes aid sell EngUnd. is undou; as wel {Tu <Kco iiwucd next tvca.) t