The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-07-19

snatched the letter from my hands,
crumpled it up, and flung It out Of the
window, bidding me begone for an impu-
dent rascal. The train moved off amid
salvo of cheers from Whites admirers,
and picked up the letter, somewhat
crestfallen and disconnected. My friend,
the tout, sided up to me again. "Cutup
rather rough with you, did Sam, sir: Set
beggar on horseback. you know. Was
II money you wanted of him"
As forlorn hope, 1 showed the man
the letter, and asked him If he could make
any guess as to the writer, adding that it
might be e5 or 9lO in his pocket If he
could find out.
The mans face frightened, and his
whole aspect changed. II don't know
the handwriting myself, but give me
three hours and I'll lind out all about it.
| We made an appointment to meet at my
Office, and, punctual to his time, the man
appeared. He had found ott that Sam
White was in the habit of meeting some
old fellow, not connected with the turf,
on secret business at the Three Pigeons, o
public house in one of the lowest quarters
Of the town, frequented by thieves and
other disagreeable characters. The land
lord of the inn, one Grinrod, retired
prize lighter, was . fierce and dangerous
fellow, and my friendly tout confessed
that a misunderstanding about disputed
bet had made him afraid to venture near
the place, and he could gather no further
information.
The whole day passed away, and moth
ing more could be done. Kste looked
despairingly at me as l told her what had
passed. Capt. White had gone out of our
ken, and out of English jurisdiction alto.
gether; his correspondent was still a mys.
FERROUS nothing. The clue that had been
so marvelously revealed to US had all come
to naught. 1t was enough to make us de-
spair.
CHAPTER III.-THE THREE PIGEONS.
There was dinner party at my uncle's
| that night-a very grand one. ! never
saw Uncle Henry more gay or, to all ap-
pcarance, in better spirits, and yet three
days at the outside would see him q
ruined man. Among the guests was
Major Smith, the chief Constable of the
town, bachelor and bon oioant, who was
still rather ladies' man, and not averse
to making himself agreeable to Kate. He
took her down to dinner, and kept .
watchful eye upon them A great erergne
of flowers was between US, but in the lulls
and pauses in the general clatter could
hear what they were saying. -Hewas very
fond of talking about the great people that
he knew, and had been indulging in long
flourish about his dear old friend end
cOmrade, Lord -, when Kate brought
him down to the common level by the
question:
"Pray, Maj. Smith, do you know q
Capt. Sam Whittier"
"Whiter' cried the Major, rather
nettled at being cut short. "White! of
what regimenty'
"Oh, don't know that, but he lately
lived ut NOwland's Row."
The Majors eyes at once assumed the
keen twinkle of the Chief of Police.
Have you been plunging into the bet
ting ring, Miss Brown? Sam White is a
too, of being secret fence"
That was all I could hear, for the tide
of conversation rose once more, and
I UIDWUCU I'LL lUUlVluU1l VOICES.
( did not enjoy my dinner that evening.
felt that we were on the edge of preci.
pice. 1t seemed, indeed, likely enough
that Maj. Smith might soon have the task
OF hauling us off to prison, on charge Of
fraudulent concealment of property.
After the guests were gone, Kate and
had long and serious consultation to-
gether. II the next day passed over our
heads without bringing something to
light, farewell ohopc altogether. 1t was
hardly likely, indeed, that the unknown
criminal would keep the appointment he
had made, as he had received no reply to
his letter. Still, there was the chance
that he would.
Would it be possible to get somebody to
represent Sam White, and keep the ap-
pointment ON his behalf? That was out
of the question. White was too we'll
known. Then, although we assumed that
the Three Pigeons was the "old place"
mentioned in the dead letter, yet were
Just as likely to be wrong altogether.
Then Rates face lighted up, and saw
that she had an idea. "You say that the
bride of Capt. White was good deal like
me. Well, why should I not make be-
lieve to be Mrs. Sam White, and 90 to
keep the appointment on his behalf?" l
had great many objections to urge to
such plan, but one by one Kate over.
ruled them. But I persuaded her to
make this addition to her scheme, that
should accompany her in the guise of her
husbands clerk, or secretary. Finally,
we made an appointment to meet at ten
O'Clock the following morning, and 60 to
the Three Pigeons.
AS we pushed open the swing doors of
the Three Pigeons, a strong watt of min
gled odors-beer and spirits, favored with
tobacco, and slight suspicion OF wet
sawdust-drOve against us; babel of
quarrelsOme. Kate shrank back and got
behind ne; for moment she was not pre-
pared for such an ordeal as this. A crowd
of people were clustered about q sloppy,
pewter-covered counter, wrangling,
laughing, snarling, swearing. The most
alarming thing was that, at the sight of
us, the noise suddenly ceased, and all
eyes were directed toward us. The land
lord, huge, brutal looking man, was
baling out supplies of liquor, vigorously
exacting the price before delivery, helped
by two slatternly- looking women. He
glared at us with hot, blood shot eyes,
and seeing that we hesitated at approach
ing the drinking counter, fiercely de.
manded our business. Kate marched up
to him with we'll simulated boldness.
am Mrs. Capt. White" she whispered.
At once the mans cOuntenance changed
and assumed more friendly aspect, and
he led the way to an up-stair room.
But what do you want ?" he said to me
laying his hand on my breast in threat
ening manner, as was about TO follow
Kate. "You've naught to do with thu
Captain?''
i Kate at once explained that was tn.
Captains new secretary or agent. He
husband was obliged to keep out of tn
way, owing to police persecution; but h
} had an important appointment here, ant
had sent her and his new secretary to trans
act the business. In confirmation of thi
|, she handed him the dead letter.
Grinrod spelt it over with a cautious bu
comprehending face.
"Aye, it's all right, no doubt" he said
81 charge q sovereign for the room, yo'
know" Kate babe me to nav this at once