The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-10-17

tlon, bat gave him toll observation now.
The more looked Al him The less liked
him. lie was handsome, gcnuemaH'y,
with fair form and elegan, hgurv, fall
OF snppleness an strength. HE msnner
was sinRularly unAssnming, bis face was
frank abd genial, bot, by looking closely
az him, you could zee something sinister
larking In the depth and sofsuess Of his
eyes.
never liked stranger TO be shahle
and prepossessing, aud my friend was the
very pink Of shab.lily and grace,
We played for an boar With alternating
success; be was an amusing companion,
well informed aud had Travelled; but
was shy Of conversation. left, and, sllll
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 feIl wss my late antagonist st
I billiards.
! thought there was something more
than mere coincidence in this second
meeting, since we stood together at The
bankers. Ee was in cigar shop oppo-
site.
Not one hundred yards from the Tenn
pie gate stood q msu whom recognized
with very welcome feeling. II was
George Vixen, the detective.
lie was fashionably dressed, and look
ed an sristocrAt OF the first water. |
went up to him and greeted him as an
old familiar friend, held out my hand aud
| said
Come aud have glass Of wine with
me, have something TO say.
lie shook hands in the most natural
way possible. took his arm aud we
entered the public bar of au adjacent
hotel.
4 told him Of my suspicion, aud told
him OF the sum in my possession aud Of
the journey had to perform by rail.
saw that watching through The glass
of the door, be wss taking mental pho.
tograph OF the two men.
They mean business, said Vixen, quiet
ly, but shall be with you. We must
part at the door, or they will see that we
have scented the game.
Aud you, said, how will you acS
shall travel straight to Liverpool by
the night express.
lie left me. had no fear now-know-
ing him to be clever aud determined
fellow.
Taking casual glance across the road,
saw my man and his companion. 1t
was quite evident that they were tracing
me, though lost sight of them before
reaching st. PauPs.
| slroled along the churchyard and
wandered nearly TO lslington, then went
through the city again before ! made for
the station; my acquaintance of the bill
lard room did not come in sight, though
kept well on the alert.
took my ticket, lingering almost to
the moment OF starting before | entered
the carriage, but my man did not appeart
Two men were In the compartment.
with me. could not see the face of one,
and the other was stranger.
|, The bell rang. The guard had just
time TO put bewildered old gentleman
in by my side, and we were off.
The man whose face had not seen
turued toward me.
could scarcely repress an exclamation.
There was no mistaking that frank genial
countenance, nor the lurking devil in
J those eyes whose softness was so sinister.
lie had me then, at last: Vixen had
broken his promise, and was left TO
! travel that periIous journey alone, with
, the man who had followed me so skilltnl.
ly-auother who might be his confeder.
Q ale--and an old gentleman, who, after
grumbling out his indignation sgainsi all
; railway aud locomotive travelling in gem
D eral, was fast asleep IN the corner.
That The intentions OF my billiard play.
!. er were bad were manifest by the fact ot
/ his having assumed false mon'tacht
aud beard. They added tJ the beauty oI
his face, but lett 10 his eyes that sleepy
e cruel glitter that is characteristic OF the
! Asiatic.
lie spoke to me, remarked the odditJ
, OF our being travelling companions, sne
e grew very unpleasautly familiar. | an
swered him, not wishing 10 appear chnrl
e ish or afraid, showing that | could trus
: somewhat TO my own strength, should th'
worst come.
. We made the last stoppage, and wei'
4 rolling swiftly through the gloom, whei
e among other topics, our conversation
touched on jewelry. lie drew show!
a ring from bis finger, telling 1t was Gu
e rious piece Of workmanship, having
!. secret spring, which he said ! could no
D discover.
}. took il, searching in vain for spriuI
a then returned il 10 him 1t dropped ans
rolled under my feet.
}. stopped to pick il up, and 30 did be
n but 10 that moment, while my head wa
e down, be bad me tightly BY the throat
T and threw me TO the carriage floor.
His confederate was upon me In 81 In
!. stant. could scarcely breathe, An'
7 could not struggle, for heavy knee wa
II upou my chest, and two stroug, bruiA
!. hands we're erushiug ths life IRON III,
o throsi.
s Though The horror Of the situation di'
i not last minute, !, seemed sn eterniil
b 10 me. felt the ru ans hands search