Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-08-12

g.. IHO Y h0DA ]
its sanded floor and wooden benches, its great
| fret and immense kettle? One side Of the
room is divided into boxes In the corner of the
farthest box from the door, where l was invisible,
except to person standing by the fireplace, took
my seat and sitting there waiting for my steak, l
heard number of men enter the room. They made
much more clatter and noise than the quiet legal
men who formed the rest of the company, who
talked mysteriously in half whispers as though
within the sacred precincts Of the Court of Chan
Gerry. The voices of the new corners rose in loud
and CHEEKY tones above all the noises OF the chop
house. Iguessed that the two loudest takers were
military men, probably just returned from India
and the Mutiny War just ended. The third, who
spoke with a milder drawl Judged to be Templar.
The two heroes were asking about lots OF friends,
but didn't pay any attention to their converse
Ion till heard the name of Potts. Then, indeed,
I listened with bated breath, every nerve on the
stretch.
"'Where's Billy Potts now? | hear he came
to grief.
ooh Bily's down in Wales, hard up, as usual
[ have just heard from him. Such fun The
Jews found him out He was at Clan-something,
a nice little secluded Welsh town. A ca. So. was
issued, and poor Billy was nobbed, and the buns
took him to an hotel. You know what mini
ble-'
"Here the waiter slammed down my dishes and
tankard with a tremendous clatter, drowning the
mellihuous voice of the Templar [ ground my
teeth in despair 'hap-door was the only word |
could catch, and the next moment q loud guftaw
from the military told me the story was ended.
"'Capital! capital! and he in the same house
still?'
eyes; but he'll slip away as soon as the coast
is clear.
"'Devilish good Jove.! Bily's a match for
Moses or TaAy.
II had heard enough. l had the clue. re-
membered that there was trap-door in the room
at the Prince Lewellyn, opening probably into
loft 1t was too high for any ordinary man to reach
without assistance but Of course, Potts was in the
highest favor with all the assies at the hotel.
Nothing would be easier than to open the trap
from above and let down rope or ladder, and he
might be there still! looked at the clock; it was
2:3O. had barely time to catch the express
from Paddington, but it might be done. LEFT my
steak and stout untasted-unpaid for, had not the
vigilant head waiter intercepted me. flung down
half crown and without waiting for change bolt
ed into Fleet street. A hanson was passing; l
jumped in, telling the driver he should have a
sovereign if he got me in time for the train. For
tune favored me- fortune, do | say? Let me
humby and gratefully thank kind Providence for
saving me and mine from ruin. As reached Pad
dngon Station the clock was on the stroke ofthree.
One of the big doors had been slammed to, and
the porter was closing the second. With howl
that frightened the stolid porter, threw myself
against the closing door, dashed through the
ticket Office on to the platform. The guard had
just blown his whistle; the train was gliding gently
away. Policemen and porters barred my way in
vain. Life or death!' Ihoarsely roared grasping
passing handle, I flung myself into 6rst-cass
carriage. The cabman, unpaid, was running along
the platform after his receding fare. threw him
sovereign, which he caught and his face assum-
ed beatifc expression as Paddington Station
passed from my gaze.
''By one o clock in the morning l had reached
Llanywm. The moon was shining brightly, and
Llanywm was in quiet repose. | stopped the car
Just outside the town, and walked to the police sta
ton. reused inspector Williams, and asked him
to send two constables to watch the Prince Lewel-
lyn and also to wake the two baiifs and set them
on guard. walked to the Prince Llewelyn, and
took my stand on the doorstep till my reinforce
ments should arrive. I had hardly reached the
top of the flight of steps when [ saw light over
the fan light, and heard the door cham-rattle.
Presently the door opened cautiously, and emerged
into the moonlight ht-Captain Potts.
"He had closed the door before he saw me, and
we stood together on the topmost step Of the high
stone flight, glaring at each other. A fight seemed
imminent We were well matched. was the tai
Ter and heavier, but Potts was more nimble on his
pins. At running however, could beat him hol-
low, and Potts knew it; and knew, therefore, that
flight would be useless unless he could previously
disable me. But he was man Of presence OF
mind, and preferred to negotiate before fighting.
"'Look here, he said, rapidly; I'm in an aw.
full hole We've always been good friends and
don't see that it can harm you to keep your eyes
shut for a minute while get away
IT had taken him by the arm as he spoke, and
held him with grip 50 firm that he didn't need
an answer. He drew himself together for dash
at me, but waited for an instant as | spoke;
"Potts, I said, your escape would be my ruin
and will not let you 60 till I'm dead
"Potts looked at me amazed
"'What are the odds to you, if get out OF the
clutches of lot of Jew swindlers?'
"'Simply should have to pay yoar debts and
be sold out stick and branch.
"'On your honor is it SOP
"'On my honor, it is. y
"'Robcrts, had no idea of this LII cave IN.
Don't hold me so tight. Igivc you my word l Il not
bolt.
"'I took his word, and we walked up and down
the street for half an hour, talking over his affairs
Presently the car arrived, and the balllts' and l
saw him safely started for the county JAIL
Next day resigned my Office.
after that acted as Potts solicitor, and had
the pleasure of offering Moses & Mosheim six
pence in the pound, which they accepted and re-
leased Potts. don't think they lost by him eth
er; they had plucked him pretty we'll before Hes
coming down this week for the fishing: ifyou're
here, you'll be glad to know him, tor you don't Of
ten come across better fellow or better fisher
man than Captain Potts
An IMPROBABLE SToRY.-Hcre is California