The Morning herald., 1877-08-09

Webber left the superintendent's office.
CHAPTER Xxx.
TEMPTING DEATH.
The next morning following the inter-
view with the inspector, about seven,
Webber was ascending the staircase OF the
house - q common lodging-house - the
street.door of which was always swinging |
open, in which the police had been In
formed Langley would pass the night.
Reaching the top of the miserable house,
Webber knocked smartly at the door be-
fore him. Il
"Who's there" cried strong. rough
voice
"A police-ofacer. who has come 10 arrest
you."
"That's likely tale, that is" replied the
nowerful voice. If you was a officer, |
YOU wouldn't say 90. But you do, so you're
no officer, not you. Is it Tom!"
"Yes. it's Tom; open the door,"
"Weil. don't care about turning out OF
| he'd: but, for friend, one must get bit
chilly. I'll open the door"
Hardly were the bolts Of the strong door
drawn, when Webber dashed forward. and
before his opponent could turn, he had
reached the bedside, and seized revolver
| which lay to hand upon chair.
Then turning to the convict, he said, "A
step more, and it will be you last"
"A Thousand deaths, If it isn't an officer"
cried the convict.
II said so, did I not" asked Webber.
"You've got my pistol, it's true," CRIED
Langley, exasperated; but my fist is my
own still, and l recommend you not to
feel it," -.
come near me: and you know better than
to do that" %~>...
And his right hand still holding the
pistol on level with his eyes, as though
he was taking aim at q target, Webber
eated himself quietly upon the warm bed
that Langley had only just Quilted.
The convict dared not take step for
ward. So they looked at each other-tne
ne ready to leap, the other ready to tire.
Webber was first to speak.
$50 YOU have decided not to swallow
! I'm sorry for it, for ! should Like To
l
die in an original manner"
"Well, mate, )" replied the convict; Il &c
sav that you know'd you was handy, when
Won had pluck enough to come after ms
without help"
Here his eyes glistened as he locked
about tho room, seas ching Tor somethne
with which to attack the officer:
"Haw said Webbel; I Ialways did say tna'
people thought more of you than you de'
served, What are you looking about for
vour slippers, perhapsi Well, there they
Q are. :" he continued, throwing an old pair o!
shoes towards the convict. II am nota bat
sort Of fellow, Langley, if you know me
' and though I mean to arrest you, 1T doesn
follow that should let you catch cold"
t "Thankeew replied Langley, whose ha
bitual GOODNESS was now returning "A maj
q allus feels more at home in shoe-leathe
}. than out of it; and, besides, a man cal
y FIGHT better, which is warning for you.
8 "Will YOU dress altogether Yes. Here
Y catch YOUR things. Ha! collar, waistcoa'
It coat. &c., &c., sc. Don't be afraid-her
u they are-catch"
o "Well, if you're agreeable, I'm agreeable,
replied the convict, amazed at the omcer
70 ciyility, and catching the articles OF attd
$ as they were thrown to him.
"Without being curious, Langley" COZ
d tinued the police officer, "what do yo
think about doing when you are dressea'
l. "Pve not quite made up my mind. II
turning it over, and I'm not yet sure
u ANYTHING. Pm pretty certain that II
r. were not for your pistol, that shonl
p, have YOUR life. But the pistol is IN u
wav."
r "Do you want it7" ,
r. "Want iti Yes; but I shan't get It,"
"Do you think want It'll Come, nov
in If cave it up toyou what would be done
in "Pd slip bullet into you in moment
"Verv well: then take aim at your cas-
d, for here is the pistolw
e. And thereupon, Webber walked dire
to Langley, handed him the pistol, turn
N his back upon the convict. walked oac
e. took his seat once more upon the ped' a'
at murmured, "I'm waiting"
W - "Why, you're no police officer!'
"If not, what am II Look here; Isl
IN this proof positive' Here is pair
b.. hapdcutfs. Should have handouts in n
pocket if wasn't police-otficer1 All
H. to tell YOU the truth, brought nothl
ne with me but these to arrest you with.
ly have not even brought my truncheon."
b. "You're plucky customer"
II think you said that before, my go
Langley" replied the detective, MAXI
an himself more comfortable on the bed.
ke "And so you're thinking Ishall really
you put those things on meT
ID. "As you like" replied the detecti'
ny "either YOU kill me or put on the har