Litchfield enquirer., 1879-11-20

No; but 1 took my precautions I got policeman on my car and drove in by round- about route. It isn't pleasant way of doing things, is it9'
 and expressed my surprise that the author of the letter could not be brought to justice.
 You don't know the Irish, Mir. Ellerslie; there is not soul about here who would not swear black was white rather than be the means of convicting 8 neighbor. You know yourself how completely the police system failed over so daring an offence as the murder of the late Lord Leitrim. With such people as witnesses and jury, what is to be done? For my own part have no doubt that MT. Pat Higgins himself wrote that letter, but hunting up any evidence would be hopeless
 "A sudden thought struck me. I had seen that the last few words of the document were lighter in color, as if they had been plotted. If so, would there not remain an impression on the plotting paper?
 'I don't know what evil spirit took possess ion of me at this juncture, unless-I own it with contrition-it were that of inordinate self conceit. Should be able to get enough evil dence to convict Pat Higgins myself, should certainly derive much credit for my sagacity, and have an excellent story for my friends in England on my return. With this end in view l said nothing of my happy thought, de. termined to work it out myself.
 'Next morning, having found out the local ity of Higginss cottage from Cormack, went to make call there. The sole occupant of the tenement when I arrived there was a wrinkled old woman sitting on a three-legged stool smoking black clay y-pipe. She looked at me suspiciously, but her native hospitality forbade her to refuse me seat. For the first time 1 felt some qualms of conscience at the oh nf nd h,1ff ly dissipated by the sight, in corner of the large open hearth, of the very thing I was seeking, piece of dirty plotting paper crum- pied up into ball. To be sure the floor had not been swept for years, judging from it's ap- pearance, and there was no telling how long the paper might have lain there, still I felt conviction that it was the object of my search.
 ''The devices to which resorted to get pos session of that mute piece of evidence were worthy of detective policeman. manoeuvred my chair closer to it under pretence of feeling a draught though with the unpleasant con- sciousness that the old woman did not believe me. Fortune, however, favored me at last. in the shape of fierce contest between an old SOW and dog just outside the door, which made the crone hobble out briskly to separate the combatants. She was not gone long, but had plenty of time during her absence to secrete the paper. As soon as I decently could afterwards took my leave.
 ''The moment was out of sight of the door opened my prize and found it to be what hoped, fairly good inverted copy of the threatening letter. Of course the last words were the most distinct, but on the whole it was very pretty piece of prinaG tacie evidence against Mir. Pat Higgins. I presented the pa per to Mir. M., who praised my sagacity and ho only yn1 ia behalf. That same evening l made deposit ion before magistrate who lived near by, and, much to his surprise. Higgins was arrest ed
 'tNow come to the unlucky portion of my story. How my share in the foregoing pro- ceedings got about I don't know; but day or two after this found great change in Cor mack's manner towards me. Hitherto he had been hospitality itself now he seemed anxious to get me to leave his house, though he was as studiously polite in hiding his wishes as the course, however, could not stay longer with man who was tired of me, and signified to him accordingly my intention of leaving him. He appeared to be somewhat relieved by the news.
 ''I dined at Mir. Ms the night before my departure, after a farewell game of tennis with the ladies, and did not leave the house till nearly dusk. AS 1 was walking back to Cor macks I noticed footsteps behind me- and looking round, saw that was followed by a small body of men al armed with sticks. Not wishing them to come up with me quickened my pace littte. They did the same, and closed on me somewhat
 1T had to pass 3 sharp turn on the road. Just as l neared the hedge, and for the mo- ment lost sight of my followers, I saw a wo- man on the other side close to me! Leaning forward, she said eagerly :-
 Run for your life, sir; it's you they're after. Before I could reply she had sunk down behind the hedge again as my pursuers came in sight.
 '1 hope if ever there be any chance of hold ing my own that 1 shall not be found ready to run away; but when followed by dozen men with sticks'it is about the only thing that can be done, so trust may be pardoned for talk ing to my heels.
 ''The men instantly followed at full speed, and for time the pace was hot. Bnt, having still my tennis-shoes on, and being naturally swift of foot, 1 soon distanced them, and they were a good half mile behind when reached Cormack's door.
 "Cormack himself was standing on the threshold. At once glance he took in the situ- ation, having probably had some previous in- formation as to what was going to happen. With muttered oath he seized me by the arm and hurried me through the house and into the yard at the back. There was rick of turf there which had that day been opened, leaving a small aperture in the smooth continuity of its rows.
 Get in there, sir, said Cormack, and you, Pat, (addressing his son who was working in the yard when we entered) build up the clamp again while I go and lock the door. An if ye tell the boys where the gentleman is yere no son of mine'
 ssThe case was not one which admitted of parleying. got into the rick, and Pat built up the outside turf with marvellous celerity There was room enough for air and sound to enter through the interstices between the sods, but the dust nearly choked me- However, I was glad enough of even that refuge when I heard the storm of curses that broke from my pursuers, as, having at length burst open the door, they poured into the yard.
 '' So help me God r could hear Cormack saying, I let him out at the back door, boys. Was 1 to let the gentleman be murdered in me own house an he stayin there?'
 Cautiously enough, as thought, the angry men admitted the plea, but all now turned up- on Pat to know which way had gone. He, being no better than most of his countrymen in the matter of truthfulness, gave them most minute directions as to the route had taken, and after hurried search of the house and yard, they started off in pursuit.
 ''When they were out of sight Pat unpacked me. By this time was almost fainting from the suffocating dust and smell of the turf, and was glad to sit down in the kitchen and have 3 draught of buttermilk. Meanwhile Cormack had saddled one of his horses and brought it round to the door.
 " Get up on that horse, sir, said he, and ride as hard as ye can to the police-station at Bally--; it's the only place yell be safe in after this. I'll send on your luggage there for ye. I've saved ye this day because ye were stopping; in me own house. but only for that have put out finger to help ye for an English informer as ye are. There's no thanks due to me-
 'I attempted few words of explanation and gratitude, but confess to feeling decided y 'smalp as rode away, and inwardly took vow never to interfere with other peoples business again.
 ''I sent my late host cheque afterwards for what l considered a fair sum for my fortnight's board and lodgings, with letter expressing nv sense of Ohlipati0n to him oDd ,,ou xx,;ol, fo