The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-03
Written for the WoRkiNGNAS's ADVOCATE.
BIRDS OF PREY
OR
FOR LOVE AND GOLD
Er WELDON D.. COBB, JR.
CHAPTER Nv.
A PRISONER.

rhe tire, new " made friends, the mine
manager. Percy, Cecil Esmond, or Ray
moud and Edgar Werner, did not long re-
main Ia ignorance III the intention of each
ether
Edwin Percy was eager to return to the
mines, which had been deserted, either
there or to 70 to the vest coast Of Aus
traia, where he affirmed gold was to be
found IN large quantities.
Werner vas for following Cecil. Their
fortunes had 50 far been mingled together
ana he Vas anxious tu IuIn him III his
future career.
Cecil. ur Raymond, as his companions
called him, was Ia for adventure and gold
Oblectless IN a manner. he desired to see
some Of the wonders OF this newly de
yeluped country, and he wa ready to
start on a tour "a soon As possible.
80 it Was determined that they~start on
a prospecting tour for the western Austria
Ian coast the following day, there being
no business to detain any of them IN Sgd
ney All the necessary accutrements for
a protracted jaunt through a dangerous
and Wild tract Of country were obtained
by them, and they were resolved to soon
set out upon their Journey to the western
coast
1t was late in the afternoon Of the even
ing upon which the Shooting Star was to
Set sail on her return voyage to England,
that Cecil Esmond had left his two friends
at the hotel for the purpose of making a
few small purchases on the street. He
had not proceeded - when he was ac-
costed by a member of the Shooting Star,
one John Baker by name. He had never
liked the man, but he returned his saiuta-
ton Willy, and At the earnest solicitation
of the man entered a saloon and partook
80 :. glass Of wine The man was seem
Ingly, somewhat intoxicated, and as Cecil
was about To depart, prufessed a desire q
impart some secret Information to hlm.
| They repaired To room partItloned of
| from the main saloon, and the sailor per
suaded his companion to partake Of an
other glass OF vine.
Cecil had scarcely drank it ere he began
to experience all unaccUuntable sense OF
drowslness, and the last he remembered
was listening to the sailors lncoherent
talk, and gradually subslding into a state
Of total insensIblhty
/ AS soon as he had reached this condi
]
disappeared III went to the main sa
| loon, and beckoning to a man who hac
sat partially oDscured behind a newspaper
AGAIN repaired to the private room Will
| hIs confederate, who was none other thar
Birney, the police spy.
| " lie has gone under, has he III qulreC
Blrney
Yes
Z" How long will the effects Of the druI
last r.
- For several hours.
" Where IS the box Il
The sailor pointed to a long box IN on,
corner of the room. With the aid of IN
companion he placed the body Of the III
| sensible Esmond in the box, and thel
nailed the cover On.
=" tie cannot smother there, he said
- have bored several holes III top Of the
box to give him air.
go and call an expressman, said Blr
ney.
A few moments later, the box and it
contents were on board the express wagon
and with as much care as was possible, tn,
box was landed at the wharf and thenc'
upon the deck Of the Star.
" All ~ said Captain Scott to the polio
spy, whose vocation he did not know
4 one new passenger Your baggage,
presume and he pointed to the box.
g Yes. Can have IT removed to tn
cabin n
I" Certainly
The box was soon removed to the cabil
from the deck, the sailors remarking it
hvhtness of weight. Then the detectlv
gave a Sigh Of satisfaction, and felt tina
20 far his plan was successful.
At nightfall the Shooting Star weighed
anchor and stood oat from the harbor oI
| her return voyage to England.
The vessel was sailing swiftly on befor
| A brisk wind and calm sea, when al
hands On deck were startled by the ap
pearance upon the deck of two men, boil
/ Of whom were engaged IN. violent con
Hict. One Of them was Cecil Esmond, tn
other, Birney, the police spy. In feV
moments that portion Of the deck wher
the two contestants were, was thronge'
with the officers and the crew Of the Shoot
ing Star. An explanation was soon al
foIded.
1t seemed that the detective had opene'
the box and found his prisoner restored :
consciousness. The prisoner was at one
informed that he was ON his way to Eng
land " answer as a defaulter. He ha
resisted all his captor's endeavors to plac
the handouts upon him, and had rushe
upon the deck of the vessel.
What is the meaning of all this !" d
manded Captain Scott, as he hastened I
the spot. What, you, Mr.. Raymond !
/ Yes, Captain. am once more . pas
senger on your vessel victim to TIN
mans plots. What he wants Of me l d
not know. All | know is, that throug