Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-10-09

formed the rest of the company.
Tie voices of the newcomers rose in
loud and CHEEKY tones above the noise of
the chop-house. guessed that the two
loudest takers were military men. proba-
bly, Just returned from India, and the mu-
tiny was ended. The two heroes were
asking about lots of friends, but didn't
paw any attention to their conversation till
| heard the name of Potts Then, indeed
l listened with bated breath, every nerve
on the stretch.
where's Billy Potts, now? heard he
came to grief"
ooh! Billy's down in Wales, hard up,
as usual | have just heard from him,
Such fun! The Jews found him out. He
was at Clansomethlng, a nice little Welsh
town. A Ca. sa. was issued, and poor
Billy was nabbed, and the buns took him
to hotel You know what nimble-n
Here the waiter slammed down nv
dishes and tankard with a tremendous
clatter, drowning the mellihuous voice of
the templar. | ground my teeth in de-
spair; 'trap-door" was the only word I
could catch, and the next moment a loud
gutfaw from the military told me the story
was ended.
Captain Captain and he's in the same
house still?"
Eyes; but he'll slip away as soon as the
coast is clear"
Very good, by Jov,. Billy's match
for Moses or Taty."
l had heard enough. | had the clew.
remembered that there was a trap -door in
the room Of the Prince Llewellyn, open
ing, probably into loft. 1t was too high
Tor any ordinary man to reach without
assistance; but, of course, Potts was in
the highest favor with all the lassies at
the hotel. Nothing would be easier than
to open the trap from above and let down
a rope or ladder; and he might be there still F.!
L looked at the clock; it was 9 80. |
had barely time to catch the O'Clock
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, bolted down Fleet street. A
hanson was passing, jumped in, telling
the driver he should have a sovereign if
he got me in time tor the train Fortune
favored me; fortune, did | say? Let me
humbly and gratefully thank kind
Providence for saving me and mine from
ruin. AS we reached Paddington station,
the clock was on the stroke of three
One of the big doors had been slammed
to, and the porter was closing the
second, With howl that frightened
the stolid porter, l threw myself against
the closing door [ dashed through the
ticket office on to the platform. The guard
had blown his whistle, and the train was
gliding gently away. Policemen and port.
ers barred my way in vain. Life or
deathn' | hoarsely roared, grasping pass
ing handle, | flung myselfinto first-class
carriage. The cabman, unpaid, was run
ming along the platform after his receding
fare. | threw him a sovereign, which he
caught, and his face assumed a beatifc
expression as Paddington station passed
from my gaze.
BY one O'Clock in the morning | had
reached Llanwyn. The moon was shining
brightly, and Llanwyn was in quiet re
pose. | stopped the car just outside the
town, and walked to the police station. |
reused Inspector Williams, and asked him
to send two cOnstables to watch the Prince
Llcwellyn, and also to wake the two bal
lifts and set them on guard. | walked to
the Prince Llewellyn, and took my stand
on the doorstep till my reintorcements
should arrive
haG hardly reached the top of the
flight of steps when | saw a light over the
tanlight and heard the door-chain rattle
Presently the door was opened cautiously,
and there emerged into the moonlight
Capt 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
one another. A fight seemed imminent :;
we were well matched. | was the taller
and heavier, but Potts was more nimble
on his pins At running, however,
could beat him all hollow, and Potts
knew it, and knew, therefore, that fight
would be useless unless he could pre-
viously disable me- But he was a man
of presence of mind, and preferred to ne
gotiate before the fighting.
Look here" he said, rapidly, I'm ia
an awful hole. We've always been good
friends, and | don't see that t can harm
you to keep your eyes shut or a minute
while | get away"
| had taken him by the arm as he spoke,
and held him with a grip so firm that he
did not need an answer He drew him
self together for dash at me, but waited
for an answer as | spoke.
'Pottsn l said, ''your escape would be
my ruin; and I'll not let you 90 till I'm
dead
Potts looked at me amazed.
"What are the odds to you if | get out
of the clutches of a lot of Jew swindlers?n
Simply, l shall have to pay your debts,
and be sold out stick ana branch"
"On your honor, is it 500"
con my honor, it is"
Roberts, | had no idea Of this. I'll
cave in. Don't hold me 50 tight. l give
you nay word I'll not bolt"
] 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 bailiffs and saw him safely
started for the county Jail.
Next day | resigned my office.
After that l acted as Potts solicitor,
and had the pleasure, of offering Moses
and Mosheim sixpence on the pound,
which they accepted and released Potts
| don't think they lost by him, either;
they had plucked him pretty well, before
He's coming this week for the fishing; if
you're here you'll be glad to know him,
for you don't often come across better
fellow than Capt. Potts.-Belgraoia.
Clearing. House Certificates.