The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-17

bad tf3Feicd, out 4 WAS ShS VI Son
~versation. | left him. and. still hav-
ing some time to spare, went 10 see a
friend in the Temple
When. ct tie expiration OF some
thirty or forty minutes, | emerged
into Fleet street, almost the hFsI
person on whom my gaze fell was my
late antagonist ct billiards.
/ thought there was something
more than q mere coincidence in this
second meeting since we stood TO-
gether CT the Bankers. lie was in G
cigar shop opposite
Meta hundred yards from the
Temple gate stood q man whom
recognized with O very welcome feel
ing. It was George Vixen, the de-
t%ectiye.
lie was fashionably dressed, anc
locked an aristocrat Of the first wa
ter l went Up, aad gresiing him as
I should an cid familiar friend, held
oat my hand and said:
Come and drink Q glass Of wine
with me: 1 have something TO say.
He shock hands 10 the NEST nstur-
II wav possible. / took his arm, and
sc entered the public bar Of an ada
cent hotel.
told him my suspicion, told hin
OF the sum in my possession, snc
Of the journey ! hal TO perform by
rail
I saw hat. watching through the
glass Of the door. be was taking
d meutsl photograph Of the two gen
tlcmen.
aThev mean b~as,acss said Nixca,
Quietly. "but / shall be- with you.
we mus, part a. he door. or they
win zee that We have scented the
zane.
aAsd you." said. how W'l you
.ac
I bah travel 20 Liverpool by tbe
aicht express
ne leh ne had no fear now
knowing him 90 Re Q clever and de-
tcrmi8ed fellow.
Taxing a casual glance across The
read. ! saw my nan with bis com
paui'n. 10 wss quite evident shat
they were tracking me, though I lost
sight q them before reaching 81
Paul's
1 str1led along the church yard,
wandering nearly 20 Ellington, .hen
went through the city again before
made for the station my GcquaiDt
ance Of the b~illiard-room did otcome
IL sight though ! kept well OF The
alert.
took my ticket, lingering almost
10 the moment Of starting before
entered the carriage. but my nal
did not appear. Two men were IL
the compartment with me. I could
not see the face Of one, and the Other
was q stranger.
The bell rang. The guard bad JUS
time TO put q b~ewildered old gentle
man in by my side, and we were
going.
I could hardly repress an exclama
ton. There was no mistaking tha'
frank, genial countenance, nor th'
lurking devil in those eyes, who's
softness was 50 sinister.
He had me then at last. Vixen hat
broken his promise, and ! was left Z
travel that perilous journey alone
with the man who bad followed M
so skillfully, another who might hav'
been his confederate, and an old gen
Itleman who, after g%rumbling out bi
indignation against railway servant
and locomotive travelling in general
was fast asleep in the corner.
That the intentions Of my billiard
PLAYER were bad were manifest by th
tact Of bis having assumed a falls
mustache and beard. They adde,
to the beauty Of his face, but left {
bis eyes that sleepy, cruel glitter tha
is characteristic Of the Asiatie.
He spoke to me, remarked the cd
ditv Of our being travelling compan
ions. and grew pleasantly familiar
7 answered him, not wishing to aP
pear churlish OF afraid, kacwing tha
could trust something to nv Owl
strength, should the worst come.
We had made the last stoppage
and were rolling swiftly through th.
gloom. when, among other topics, on
conversation touched on jewelry b.
drew r snowy ring from his lager
telling me it was o curious piece 0
workmanship, having a secret spring
which he said I could not discover
/ took II, searching in vain for
spring. tlen returning it to him.
droDped and rolled under my feet.
/ stopped to pick it up, and so di'
be. but in that moment. while m,
head was down, be had me tightly b.
the throat, and threw me to the car
rage floor.
His confederate was upon me Il
an instant. l could scarcely breathe
and could not struggle, for a heav..
knee was upon my chest, and tw.
strong, brutal hands were crushing
the life from my throat.
Though the horror of the Situation
did not last a minute, it seemed a
eternity TO me. | felt the rutlians
hands s%earching for the pocket. book
and / strained desperately for a ebanc
of resistance.
Their work was nearly done
Cramped in that small space, | wa
powerless, aud the veins OF NJ.
throat and head were swelling lik
sinuous bars, when the old gentle
man in the corner swoke and came t
my assistance.
/ heard q low whirr Of some wei
pom it It's descent, and my first as
salient reeled from me stunned
Then the old gentleman, with
strength and rapidity of action wor
derful 10 see in a person Of his age
seized the scoundrel, lifted biz
away, and dashed him down upon
seat.
There was o brief struggle, an
then | heard q sharp click-seouu
drel the second had a pair Of hand
cuffs or bis wrists.
"They were more prompt than
had expected" said the old gentle
man, removing his wooden comforter
with which be fastened my FIRST as
sailant's hands behind him, land
railway carriage does not afford muc.
scope for a struggle"
The rocket-book was safe. Th.