The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-07-11
with bow the lovely face whose glance

with bow the lovely face whose glance
thrilled his soul.
'They have paid,'' he said quietly, as
he placed thick pocket book in the
merchants hand, but think we were
only just in time
"Indeed!"
''There was consultatisn at the bank.
er's before / could get cash for the
check
''Do you think they will break?"
"Hopelessly. They have given me an
immense order, but it would not be wise
to forward the goods
You did not hint that we had the
slightest fear?'
mo, but l was glad to get the money
e12, 200 would have been heavy loss. y
"And yet" said Tom gravely, "this
morning the odds were considerable
against t. ever reaching YOU
"How?"
Tom took two chairs, placed them side
by side near the fire, led Mary to one and
seated himself in the other. He had done
his duty as the merchants clerk, and now
was Mr.. Brands prospective son-in-l law
and partner.
II had an adventure" he said; II was
the hero of strange story in c ride by
by express.
Mary bent forward to listen-Tom
clasped her hands in his own. Mr.. Brand
sat opposite them, interested by the
speakers manner, as he began:
''When I got the cheque had an idea
that all might not be we'll, so to make
sure I presented it at the bankers.
There was, as told you, a consultation
before they cashed it. and while the con-
sulation was going forward 1 noticed a
tranger looking at me intently. l knew
he man in my younger and wilder days.
had met him often at the race course.
biiliard-rooms. and in other places more
or less respectable. Now he was chang
ing a cheque for some petty amount, and
was evidently astOnished by the immens,
sity Of the order had presented. l left
the bank with my pockct-book full of
notes, and found that had lost the train.
The next would be the night express SO
strolled into billiard room. A man is
Just as safe with fortune in his pocket
as if penniless, that he is wise enough
to hold his tongue. There was some
clever playing going on, and I stood
watching the players till some one chal-
leDged me to have a game. If I have
one special vanity it is science with the
cue. I accepted, and as did so strange
telling which had been growing upon me,
took sudden turn which startled me.
My challenger was the man whom
had noticed at the bankers. There was
nothing strange in the fact of his being in
the room, one Of his favorite resorts, but
l was possessed by the vague shadow of a
single idea. | had read some where of a
man being followed and plundered in a
train, and somehow associated the .orv
with the man before me. 1t was the first
time had ever paid any particular atten-
ton. but gave him full observation now.
The more l looked at him the less liked
him. He was handsome, gentlemanly,
with fair form and elegant figure, full
of suppleness and strength His manner
was slngularly unassuming, his face frank
and genial. but by looking closely at him
you could see something sinister looking
IN the depth and softness of his eyes
l never liked u stranger to be affabe
and prepossessne and my friend was the
very pink of affability and grace.
We PLAYED for an hour with alternating
sue cess; he was an amusing companion,
we'll informed, and had travelled, but
was shy of conversation. l left him. and
still having some time to spare. went to
see friend in the Temple.
When at the expiration of some thirty
or forty minutes, | emerged into Fleet
street, almost the first person on whom
my gaze fell was my late antagonist at
billiards
l thought there was something more
than mere coincidence in this second
meeting since we stood together at the
banker 5. He was in cigar store on.
posite.
No: a hundred yards from the Temple
gate stood a man whom | recognized
with a very welcome feeling. 1t was
George Vixen. the detective.
He was iashionably dressed. and looked
an aristocrat of the first water. went up
and greeting him AS I 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 in the most natural
way possible. l took his arm. and we
entered the public bar of an adjacent
hotel.
told him my suspicious, told him OF
the sum IN my possession, and OF the
journey had TO perform nv rail.
SAW that. watching through sns- ...ass
Of the door. he was taking i mental .so-
tograph of the two men
They mean business. said Vixen.
quietly. . but shall be with yor. We
must part at the door. or they will see
that we have scented the game
And you" / SAID. ~how will you act
4 shall travel to Liverpool bv the
night express
He lett me. l had no fear now-know
ing him TO be clever and determined
flow .
Taking casual glance across the road
| saw my nan with his companion. I
was quite evident that they were track
ing me though lost sight OF them besor
reaching St. Paul's-
l strolled along the churchyard. van
dering nearly to Islington. then wen
through the city again before made for
the station; my acquaintance of the bill
lizard room did not come in sight, though