The Cardiff Times

EXPERIENCES OF A DETECTIVE. a BY JAMES Wi'GOVAN, Author of Brc aght to Bay," Hunted Down," "Strange Ciues," "Traced and Tracked," Solved Mysteries," &c. No. XXV.—A Boy's PORTRAIT. Mugg had just received something from an old gentleman at the corner of Hunter-square, when I laid a hand on his shoulder, and looking over saw a sixpence shining in his dirty palm. He ould not have been over nine, and was stunted fiven at that, and he was not so ragged as mani- festly ill-treated. He had only oae eyebrow, for where the second should have been there was only ? big bruise, with the clotted blood still covering and on the other parts of Mugg's head and body were several eyebrows of the same kind. He Was, indeed, a most miserable object, and his father, Terry M'Grath, was well known to me a housebreaker, with two convictions against bun, so my grasp was rather rough. "You were begging," I sharply observed, sorry that the old gentleman had disappeared in the Srowd. "No," said Mugg, stolidly. "Why, there's the money in your hand," I tapped out. "Didn't you beg it off that old Eentleman ? "No," answered Mugg, in the same emotion- Jess fashion. He was called Little Mugg" because his father's name was usually pronounced Muggrath, and the housebreaker was a big fellow, which Little Mugg promised never to be. He got so many knocks on the head from the same Nifian, indeed, that it was a wonder any grow Was left in him at all. "How did you get the money, then? I asked, thinking to corner him. "He just gave it me," said Mugg. "I never •aw him till then." He showed no inclination to struggle or get *Way, and appeared utterly indifferent as to what happened to him. <1 might have let him away, but just then I saw bis father come round the corner and approach, and I thought; he could not be so close at hand by •jccidenfc and decided to take Mugg with me. WGrath was a big black-haired rascal, with a great deal more ferocity than brain, and he de- manded fiercely what I wanted with the boy, and then shouted out what was probably the truth, that Little Mugg never needed to beg, and never did it. The boy's condition was certainly pitiable enough to call forth sympathy without the utter- a'ice of a word, but I was irritated by M'Grath's Words and manner, and persisted in conducting the boy to the Central, his father following and Entering the reception-room along with us. By ? curious link of fate a lady had got there before us complaining of having lost her purse, O,Ild I was called upon to attend to her before Considering th6 case of Little Mugg. With this lady was a boy of seven or eight, a fair, Prettily dressed creature, with curls hanging down his shoulders, whom I scarcely noticed in Jjhe hurry of my entrance. It was different with "lugg. His dull stolid gaze became suddenly changed to a sparkle of interest; he forgot about IS dirt and bruises, and his position there as a Prisoner nay, he even forgot about his brutal father seated, cap in hand, at the other end of •he room, and stared at the child of wealth much he might have stared at an angel dropped out heaven and just as a king's child when left to natural instincts will play with mud pies with 'be greatest glee, so this fair boy in rich velvet *&d silk drew close to Mugg without a thought of 'he vast gulf between them. The hand of God Kently wiped off all that man had plastered on bein, and nature reigned supreme. Who hurt your brow;" said he of the fair turning Mugg's head round in his hands to the light shine on the place where an eyebrow should have been. Whiat 1 It was dad—he'll hear you," whis- Pered Mugg, with a furtive look towards M'Grath Which conveyed his meaning perfectly. What a shame Is it very sore ?" was the Sympathetic response. Not now," answered Mugg with a gulp. He had never heard such kind words and tender J°oes before, and to his surprise they made him eel inclined to cry, when a kick or a blow would not have drawn a tear. He also meant to con- the idea that the touch of the boy's white had banished every pang from his brow, as the words wouldn't come, his eyes had to J*}} instead. The other put a hand into his Jjoeket and brought out some lovely jujubes, the of which Mugg had never cast eyes .on, and Messed them into his hand. Mugg, in obedience 0 a command from the donor, munched them for foment, and then said— l( What's your name ?" Raymond Kinloch—the servants call me Ray, I like it better," said the small aristocrat. *niet you call me Ray. What's your name ?" bin j sa,id the housebreaker's son, with a in what a splendid name!" cried Ray the most lively admiration and envy. I wish Was called Mugg, but I never get things I like, they say it's not good for ire. And then you t leave to have nice short hair. You've no idea horrid it is to be like a girl, and have jf°pie looking after you on the street, and to for hours in the drawing-room while a man "Ints your portrait. Did you ever have that to "No, never," answered Mugg, in hearty sym- st&ndV' k'ck you to make you jy,' Oh, no," and Ray smiled out so brightly that th ^sbed he would smile again, just to see 6 heavenly shine that came from it. Nobody strikes me." « What don't they bang your head against Wall ?" cried Mugg, incredulousJv. « No." ,t Nor throw you down the stair ?" tti and Ray smiled so that Mugg thought sun had come out. it Then," said Mugg, impressively, "I'd stand Stand what ?" J I'd stand having my portrait painted. If you „t get the kicks and bangs you're not so bad Ab, but think of the longhair," observed Ray, ^ell, it's hard to bear, I know," said Mugg in jv^'al sympathy; but there's wuss things, ,e your dad never go on the beer ?" „ Where is that ?" t^^et drunk, I mean," said Mugg in swift I haven't got any dad-he's dead," was the et reply. >Ah, you're well off," said Mugg with an ex- fenced air. I wish I was you." beW8' t*ien '^rs Kinloch turned and saw her lifid son m close conclave with a dirty gutter- snd gave a start and something like a tiny j Raymond, you horrid creature How dare •' she cried in pointed allusion to his dirty panion. hi: Why, what's the matter, ma ? This is only ugg," exclaimed Ray in surprise. I've just jyt to know him, and he's a real nice boy, and Don't you, Mugg t" tlgg bobbed his head in swift and hearty jJ^t, and to prove it took Ray's white hand h 8l(*e both of his dirty ones, and Mrs Kinloch ^rly fainted. Take—take him away, detective," she faintly "^fped, addressing me. Is he a thief?" 1 I think not," I dubiously answered, reluc* >, ?t!y motioning Mugg back from his new friend. comes out of a bad nest, that's all." ^Irs Raymond hastened to wipe her boy's hands ith a scented handkerchief to remove the con- ization of Mugg's touch, and to sort up his 8L s, and dust his superfine clothes, and while 0~e was thus engaged we concluded to let Mngg J* for that time and told him to go. His father jj^tched at him without thanks, and was leading away hastily, when Ray, having been ^Justed by his mamma, sidled up to him as he wistfully backwards and slipped a sixpence lt*?hi8 hand. It's nothing," he said, as Mugg hesitated to JT it. I can get as many sixpences as I like j0And here, Mugghe suddenly added, jeering his voice to a whisper, and putting his I Ps close to the other's dirty ear, Get ilway that horrid man-run away, if you can't iugg shook his head sadly to intimate that °h a plan would not work, and just then M'Grath hif • a grab at the two sixpences in his hand, and rried out at his swiftest to make for the nearest {^"bc-house. Mugg paid little attention to the of the money, but he contrived to strain his i backwards for a last glimpse of Ray's beam. face and fair curls and when he was at last Lynched out of sight his smudged face was nning to be ribbed by the tears coursing from A minute or two later Mrs Kinloch, ftV in8 concluded her business with me, conducted back to the cab in waiting, and the boy flferly peered about in every direction to have a j.^Pse of Mugg, but the gutterling and his father both disappeared. Then he was sharply Jolked by his mamma and lifted into the cab, a I closed the door and saw them driven off, Peoting to see no more of that boy at least. A or two later, however, I was surprised to see ^y walk into the reception room at the Central OrnP&nied by a servant maid, and greet me V> #reat dignity. He even offered me his hand dow an<* thrn sat down—or rather dropped jvk on the nearest form, evidently quite "xrSted with the long walk. T'Urae sa^ I'd never be able to walk so far, WktL(re it, and I'm not a bit tired," he said, nS quite diwtv about the feet and lees, and hardly able to speak, and she thought it was not right to come without first getting leave from mamma, but she didn't know what a nice gentle- man you are, or she wouldn't have said that. Now, do you know what I've come here for 1" and he crossed one dusty leg over the other to ease the weariness of his tired limbs. I want Mugg. I know he's not a nice-looking boy, and he's got a dirty face, but that's nothing. I get twice as dirty myself when nobody's looking, and don t think anything of it; indeed, I like better to bo dirty than clean, so you mustn't think Mugg is bad because he's dirty. Will you tell him I want to see him, please 1" "He would come, sir, and I don:t know wtai the mistresit will say to me when I go back," said the maid in explanation. He's so very deter- mined when he takoi anything into his head." Yes, they knew it's no use going against me," Kiid the small tyrant with a sunny smile, "for I know a boy down in Viewforth-placo who's got fever, and if they bother me I'll just go down and catch the fever off him, and then they'd have A terrible job with me, and"—and he nearly chuckled himself into a. fit—"and they'd have to cut oil my hair." I goggled down on the young reprobate for some moments in silence, and then said— "Mugg isn't here, and the fact is I don't know where he is or where he lives, as I've never seen him since he was here." Oh and tears of disappointment gathered in his big blue eye; "and I've walked all the way from Greenhill Gardens to see him. I'm tired now—yes, I'm tired just with not seeing Mugg Cook told me that you knew everything, nd I believed her. Will you never see Mugg again ? Oh, yes it's very likely I shall see him again." I answered, taking pity on the earnest, innocent face. You will! Well, I'm glad he cried, clasp- ing his hands in delight. "Well, when you see him will you tell him to come out to Greenhill Gardens to see me ? I'll be looking out for him, a.nd come out and play with him on the Links." I made no answer for a full minute, and Ray began to divine that there was something in the way. I'm afraid I can't do that," I said at last. Don't you know that it's no good for you to see Mugg or Mugg to see you ? His way and your way are different. and it's better that they should never come together." I don't believe it!" he impetuously returned. "It's just mamma's notion because I like Mugg. I think I'll have to go and catch the fever after all." "No, no; you mustn't go, for if you did you might give it to Mugg, and he would bo sure to die," I said touching him on the most sensitivo epot. Ob, I didn't think of that," he responded with aga.ap. "Well, when you see Mugg you might give him this," and he produced a bright new shilling, and tell him it's from me. 1 asked it to get a cricket ball, solid mdiarubber, but I don't want one if I am not to have Mugg to play with. Will you ? Certainly," and I took the shilling, and felt inclined to lift the gentlemanly donor up into my arms for a good hug. But don't give it him it his father is there," said Ray impressively. Only if nobody's look- ing, you 3ee? Why so?" I curiously asked. "Because"—and Ray button-holed me and lowered his voice to a confidential whisper— "because his father would try to get it, and knock his head against the wall. Did you see his eyebrow ? I nodded. Well, that was his father. Now if you saw him hit Mugg, couldn't you hit him on the head and kill him for it ?" Oh, no, that wouldn't be allowed," I answered very decidedly. "Oh !—well—" and he looked rather staggered, "do you know this ?—but you won't tell any one ?" "Certainly not." Well, I'm going to hit him over the head and kill him if I see him do that to Mugg. You think because they make me wear my hair long that I'm a girl, but I tell you I'm not afraid of anything and the small body stretched up to grand proportions, while the flash of his eye would have made even Terry M'Grath quail. "Now, mind that's a secret," he added, and then lie offered me his hand to shake, and said to the maid, Now you can take me home in the 'bus mamma will be glad to pay for it, for she'll think I'm lost," and he chuckled delightedly over the thought of his mother's terror and tears, and then marched out with the maid. I failed to see Mugg, and had forgotten all about the shilling in my keeping, when one morning I caught sight of the housebreaker's son loitering about in front, of the Central. I happened to be late, however, and passed in and thought no more of him till the Police Court was nearly over, when I re- membered of the shilling and went out, when, sure enough, Mugg was still there, loitering about and pretending to see nobody. Hullo, you! What are you loitering aboui here for?" I roughly exclaimed, "Going to beg from somebody ? "No!" said Mugg, and there was a. spice of indignation in the tone. "What do you want, then?—Your father?" "Oh, no," and Mugg looked round in terror at the dread word. You won't take me up if I tell you ?" "No." "Well, it's the boy with the girl's hair I'm looking for. Sure, he was kind to me, sir. and I'd Jike to see him-again, if you'd let me," and Mugg turned up a pair of dark eyes positively tearful as he spoke. You can't see him, for he's not here, and he's a lady's son, and his mother would never allow him to speak to you," I slowly answered, after a pause; but I may tell you that he was here one day lately, and he left this for you," and I placed the shilling in his hand. Mugg scarcely noticed the coin in his bewilder- ment and ecstasy. Did he really ask for me, sir ?" he tremulously asked, fcnd remember seeing me and saying the kind word to me ?" He did-he asked for Mugg, and wanted to see you; but then it's not good for either of you to meet, so you'd better give up thinking of him." Did he say Mugg ? Did he remember my name gurgled the bruised and beaten atomy, fairly overflowing with happiness. He did, and he walked a long way, and waa quite tired out when he came." And he'll maybe come back some other day ?" joyously added Mugg, breaking through all my splendid arrangements for his good, and before I could say another word the dirty face disappeared down the close. I saw him frequently after that, but he took care to be at such a distance from the Central that I could not object to his loitering. He was evidently sharply on the outlook for Ray, but the fair boy never appeared. Then there was an interval in which Mugg also remained invisible, and then I was surprised one afternoon to see Ray brought in by a policeman. He had not the least appearance of a prisoner or a criminal, however, but smiled all over as if in gleeful triumph. Mamma wouldn't let me come back, so I went and lost myself, and had the policeman to bring me here," he explained, after offrmgme his band to shake. Some boys are frightened for policeman, but I wasn't a bit frightened, and we had jolly fun all the way—liaan t we and the policeman said "Yes," and touched his hat to the small aristocrat in confirmation. I" I went to see Mugg," he added, in the old persistent tone I've got another shilling, and a ball and some buttons and a top for him. If he'd come out to our house—round at the end, where mmnma. wouldn't see him—I could give him half of my dinner, I never can eat the quarter of it." Don't you know that it's very wrong to go against your mamma's wishes ?" I said, in awful tones. "Yes, in everything but Mugg," he said lightly. You know mammas can't know anything about boys or they wouldn't treat them so. Loolc at my hair," he added as a clinching argument; and then if she wanted me to be good she should have a brother for me to play with. I have nobody—not even a sister. It's not fair. Now Mugg would make a nice brother, and I could take him into the scullery and wash him, and get cook to put some stuff on his eyebrow to make it better. Mugg is a real nice boy, and he wears splendid clothes for playing with," and he looked down on his own grandeur with deepest regret. I explained how it was impossible, as I could not find Mugg, and finally, after failing to con- vince him, sent him home in tho 'bus, under escort. For some time after this visit Idid not see Mugg, and I rather think he and his father must have been away from the town. One day in September, however, I met M'Garth in the Canongate with Mugg following like an obedient spaniel at his heels. Neither spoke to me, but Mugg eyed me wistfully, and in that glance I read as plainly as ever, I want Ray—I want the boy with the girl's hair." Just then I was thinking of another mat- I ter, for a number of houses about Moraingside and Greenhall Gardens had either been broken into or tried, and I was asking myself if falling eye and hurried slink past could be taken as a confession that he had been connected with the cases. As I stood looking ajter them I saw M'Grath say something to the boy, who immedi- ately looked back and saw me, and told his father. That simple act decided me, and I resolved to set a watch upon M'Grath that very night. It chanced, however, that though I learned exactly the locality of his lodging, he had chosen that night to get out by a, back window into the next close, and so joined a companion and made his way out to Greenhill Gardens, while I was still cooling my heels in front of his lodging. For a reason they took Mugg with them, and that was that the only unshuttered window in the house I they had spotted had plate-glass panes. They wished to enter by that dining-room, but fearing the clatter of broken plate-glass they had decided to insert Mugg by the scullery window, and get him to slip through the lobby and unfasten the f. sash of the dining-room window, and so admit Y them. Mugg had performed the same office before, and bad no idea whether it was right or wrong. He simply knew that he had to do it, or be half killed, and that if he made the slightest noise he would be killed outright. When they reached the house it was nearly one o'clock, and, as it is a district of fine villas, not was stirring except the double patrol of policemen, whom they had just seen safely out of sight along the Nunnery-road. The blinds of the dining-room were not down, and the moon was shining full into the room, so it was easy for M'Grath to ex- plain the position to Mugg before taking him round to the scullery at the back. The scullery window was so flimsily fastened that a slight pressure of M'Grath s thumb burst it inwards on its hinge, and then Mugg was hoisted up and helped to wriggla in feet foremost with perfect success. Being barefooted, he made no noise in passing through the kitchen and the lobby, and the moonlight guided him so unerringly to the dining-room that M'Grath and his pal bad scarcely got to the outside of the window when they saw Mugg enter by the door. In the ordinary course os things Mugg out to have gone straight to the window to undo the fastenings. but his peculiar training had made him fearful, and when.insil half-way be sdanoed haokwarda in the direction of the door, and then his eye caught something which mado him start and stand still, with his hear almost ceasing to beat. What had frozen him there was a. picture on the wall—a portrait of a boy with long fair curls standing grandly in front of a, crimson curtain, holding a. whip in one hand and an apple in the other. The painting wa.s, doubtless, a. grand one, and the accessories the best that the great artist could insert, but all that was as nothing to Mugg compared with the heavenly face that was beaming down on him framed in those girlish curls. It's Ray he screamed, in a thrilling, joyous burst, which drew a torrent of curses from the men outside. It's Ray that I've been looking for so long He must be in this house oh, I must find him Blast your body and bones shouted M'Grath in his deadliest tones through the glass. Stop that noise, or I'll jump through and murder you!" But a. kind of frenzy seemed to have seized the boy, and for the first time he remained unawed by that terrible voice. Ray Ray he screamed at his loudest. I want Ray and he advanced to the dining-room door to make himself better heard, and then M'Grath lost all control of himself, and smashed in the pane of glass bodily, cutting his face with some of the fragments, but eager only to get his murderous bawds on the boy who was thus upsetting all their arrangements. He got into the room and half-way across it, but just then a warn- ing whistle from his companion and the sound of heavy footsteps outside made him turn back, and m a moment more he had darted out, and was struggling desperately in the clutches of two policemen, who had to maul him almost into insensibility before they could secure him. Mean- time Mugg had run up the richly-carpeted stair shouting out that thrilling call, till at one door there was a response and a scramble, and a dart forth of a slender boy in a white night gown, who joyfully exclaimed— It's Mugg. It's Mugg at last. I knew you would come to see me," and then they hugged each other to their hearts' content, and Ray so insisted upon Mugg being left with him instead of being taken to the police station as a robber that his mamma had to consent, otherwise Ray would have gone straight for a deadly attack of scarlet fever, to be bad a street or two off. With the information supplied by Mugg I was able to recover a deal of property already stolen as well as the companion of M'Grath, whom I took next day on board the Burntisland steamer. t I mean to kill that kid when I get out again, was M'Grath's remark after he got his sentence of ten years, but by that time Mugg was no longer a boy, but a strong young man, who, after five years' training in an industrial school, showed such a genius for mechanics and machinery that he was then on the road to fortune. His father, too, had changed somewhat in the interval, and when he saw his son utterly refused to take any assistance from his hands or come near him, or bo seen in his company. "You're a gentleman, now," he said, 1 and if you wor seen wi' me the taint of me would drag you down. Maybe, if I'd some one to say a kind word to me the same, I might have been different too, but it's too late now." So they parted, and Mugg nevxr saw him or heard of him again. But among his friends there is one far dearer—dearer almost than his own wife, and chief partner lD the firm of which he is the active manager, and that is a fair-haired gentleman called Raymond Kinloch.