CAUGHT BY STRATEGY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 3, 13 January 1903, Page 2

CAUGHT BY STRATEGY.

A splendid steamer was pursuing its way over the wide waters of the ■Volga in the direction of tin? Caspian Sea. It was late in the evening when a young man stepped up to ’the captain and requested him to put down at the next village they might come to.

The stranger was set ashore and the steamer continued its journey. All at once another traveller came running to the captain, and cried out—

“My travelling bag ! Where is it My bag with twelve thousand francs ! ”

The captain had his suspicions. He told the man to be calm and not to mention' the affair to a living soul on board. Owing to the great width of the river at this point lew if any, of the ship’s company noticed that the steamer described a circle and shaped its course up stream. It did not, however, escape observation, that a flag of different colours was hoisted, and a sheet ot tarpaulin thrown over the bulwarks to conceal the name of the vessel. Presently a shrill whistle announced that they were nearing a station on the river. It was the same at which the young man had landed. A boat pushed off from the shore, and a man came on deck with a bag in his hand. He turned out to be the very passenger who had left the steamer not long before, and who thinking himself safe on board another steamer, now fell into the hands of his former captain and the owner of the stolen property. At first he could hardly believe his eyes, but all his doubts were dispersed when the steamer reversed its course and landed him at a “ station ” whore ho was likely to have a protracted stay.—" New Penny Magazine.”