Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-09-21

L thought there was something more
than a mere coincidence i'm this second
meeting since We stool together at the
bankers. He was i'm IA cigar shop oppo-
site.
Not 100 yards from the Temple gate
stool man whom recognized with a
very welcome feeling. 1t was George
Vixen, the detective.
He was fashionably dressed and looked
an aristrOcrat of the first water. | went
up, and, greeting him rs l should an old
familiar friend, held out my hand and
said:
"Come and drink glass OF wine with
me; | have something TO say"
He shook hands i'm the most natural
way possible. took his arm, and we
entered the public bar of all adjacent ho-
tel.
l told him of my suspicion, told him
of the sum in my possession. and of the
journey had TO perform by rail.
saw that, watching through the glass
of the door, he was taking a mental pho
togr ,ph of the two men.
"They mean business" said Vixen.
quietly. shut 1 shall be with you. We
must part at the door, or they will see
that we have scented the game"
land you," l said, snow will you
act ?"
IL will travel to Liverpool by the night
express"
He left ne. had no fear now, know
ing him to be clever and determined
fellow.
Taking a casual glance across the road
saw my man with his companion. 1t
was quite evident that they were track
ing me, though lost sight of them be-
tore reaching st. Pau's.
strOlled along the churchyard, wan-
dered nearly TO IslingiOn, then went
through the station again before | made
for the station; my acquaintance of the
billiard room did not come in sight,
though kept well oil the alert.
took my ticket. lingering almost to
the moment of starting before L entered
the carriage, but my man did not appear.
Two men were in the compartment with
me. could not see the face OF one, anu
the other was stranger.
The bell rang. The guard had just
Zine TO put bewildcred old gentleman
in by my side, and we were of.
The man whose tace l had not seen
turned toward me.
could hardly repress an exclamation,
There was no installing that frank, ge-
Mil cOuntenance, nor the lurking dc-il
in those eyes, whose sOitneSs was so sin
lister.
lie had me then at last. Vixen had
broken his promise, and l .as LETT to
travel that pcrilous journey alone. with
the man who had followed me SO skill
fully, another who might be his cOnted-
crate, and an old gentleman who, after
grumbiing out his indignation against
all railway servants and locomotive tray.
cling i'm general, was fast asleep in the
corner.
That the intentions of the billiard
player were bad were manifested by the
fact Of his having having assumed Il false
mustache and beard. They added 10 the
beauty of his face, but left 10 his eyes
that sleepy. cruel glitter that is charac-
tcristic Of the A>iatic.
He spoke TO me, remarked the od,llty
of our being travelling companions, and
grew unplcasantly familiar. | answered
him, not Wishing to appear ciurlisIi or
afraid. knowing that | could trust some
thing to my own strength, should the
worst come.
We hal made the last stoppage, and
were rolling swiftly through the gloom.
when, among other topics, our CONVERSE
ton touched OH jewelry. lie drew Il
snowy ring from his finger, telling me il
was Il curious piece OF workmanship, ilav-
ing a secret spring, which he said cUulJ
not discover.
took it, searched it i'm vain for /:
secret spring, then. returning it 10 him
ii dropped and rolled under my feet,
stopped to picked it up, and so die
| he, but IN that moment, while my heat
was down, he had me tightly by tn,
throat, and threw me to the carriage
| floor.
His confederate was upon me i'm an in
slant. l could scarcely breathe. an,
conld not struggle, for a heavy knee WA
upon my chest, and two strong, bTuta
hund: were c; ushing the lite from my
| throat.
Though the horror of the situation dit
not last minute, it seemed an eternity
to me. felt the ruflians' hands search
ing for the pocket book, and L strained
desperately tor chance If resistance.
Their work was nearly done. Cramp
ell in that small space, was pOwerless
and the veins in my throat and heat
were swelling like sinuOus bars, wher
the old gentleman i'm the corner awOkt
and came TO my assistance. l heard 3;
low whirr of some weapon i'm its descent
and my first assailant reeled from mt
stunned. Then the old gentleman, Will
Il strength and rapidity of action won
derful TO see in person of his age
seized the scrOundrel, lifted him away
and pushed him down on a seat.
| There was brief struggle. AMI then
heard sharp clck-scOundrel tn,
second had Il pair Of handouts Oh hi
wrists. -
"They were more prompt than I ex
pocted,' said the old gentleman. remOv
| ing his WOODEN comforter. with which h.
fastened my first assailant's hands Dehin'
him, land railway carriage does not at
ford much scope for struggle"
The pocket book was safe. The ruf
fans were securely bound, and the oil
gentleman, who, without his spectacle
and muller, stood out i'll bold relief a
the detective. kept guard oyer them.
AT the station they We're handed owe
into the custody of the police. was a
right by this time. Vixen rode with IN
as far as the hotel nearest here, and tC
morrow he will call 10 see il am any tn
worse for my ride by express.
The contents of the pocket book wer
Mary's bridal. dowry.
The detective speaks of the seniC
partner Of the firm of Brand g. Lake a
the most hospitable and generous ma
he ever met in the course of his prOfe:
sional career.
Lake was quite cured of his love fc
billiard playing. He had too narrow a
escape, and he did not forget the kssoi
MIR. Sarsaper's Refrigerator.