Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-08

seen that the last few words OF the doc
ument were lighter in color, rs II they
had been blotted. Ii so, would there
not remain an impression on the blot
ting paper q,
II don't know what evil spirit took
possession of me at this juncture, un-
less-I own it with contrition-lt were
that ofinordinate self-conceit. Should
DE able 10 get enough evidence to convict
Pat Higgins myself, | should certainly
derive much credit for my sagacity, and
have an excellent story for my friends
i'm England on my return. with TINS
end in view | said nothing OF my happy
thought, determined to work it out my
sell.
"Next morning, having found out the
locality of Higgins cottage from Cor
mack, | went 10 make a call there. The
sole occupant OF the tenement when
| arrived there was wrinkled old
woman sitting on a three-legged stool
and smoking black clay pipe. She
looked at me suspiciously, but her native
hospitality forbade her To refuse me a
seat. For the first time | felt some
oualms OF conscience at the character OF
nv errand, but these were speedily dis
sipated by the sight in the corner OF the
large open hearth, OF the very thing
was seeking, a piece OF dirty blotting-
paper crumpled into a ball. To be sure
the floor had not been swept for years,
Judging from its appearance, and there
was no telling how long the paper might
have lain there still | felt CONVICTION
that it was the object OF my search.
THE devices to which | reSOrted to
get possession OF that mute piece OF evil
dence were worthy OF detective police
man. | manOeuvered my chair closer
10 it under pretense of feeling draught,
though with the unpleasant conscious
ness that the old woman did not believe
me. Fortune. however, favored me at
last in tine shape of fierce contest be-
tween an old SOW and dog just outside
the door. which made the CrOne hObble
ont brisklv To separate the cOmbatants.
She was not gone long, but had plenty
of time during her absence 10 Secrete
the paper. As soon as ! deCently could
aiterward took my leave.
"The moment / was out OF sight OF
the door | opened my prize and found
it 10 be what | had hoped, fairly good
inverted copy of the threatening letter.
OF course the laSt words were the most
distinct, but on the whole it was a very
pretty piece OF prima face evidence
against Mr.. Pat Higgins. i presented
the paper 10 Mr. NJ, who praised my
Sagacitv and thanked me warmly for my
exertion on his behalf. That same
evening | made a deposition before a
magistrate who lived near by, and, much
to his surprise, Higgins was arrested.
"Now | come TO the unlucky portion
OF my story. How my share in the lore
going proceedings got about ! don
know; but a day or two after this |
found great change in COrmack' 5 man
ner toward me. Hitherto he had been
hospitality itself now he seemed anN-
iouS 10 get me 10 leave his house, though
he was as s;udiOusly polite in hiding ms
wishes as the most finished gentleman
could have been. OF course, however,
| could not stay longer with man who
was tired Of me, and ] signiiied to him
accordingly my intention OF leaving
him. He appeared 20 me somewhat re-
lieved 10y the news.
81 dined at Mr.. MS the night before
my departure, after q farewell game O.
tennis with the ladies, and | did not
leave the house till nearly dusk. As
was walking back 10 CormaCEs, ! no
ticed footsteps behind me, and, looking
round, found that | was followed by q
small body of men all armed with sticks.
Not wishing,them to come up with me
quickened my pace little. They did
the same, and closed on me somewhat.
Il had 20 pass a sharp turn in the road.
Just as I ncared the hedge, and for the
moment lost sight Of my followers, saw
woman on the other side close to me
Leaning forward she said eagerly Run
Tor yer lie, sir; its YOU they're after.
Before could reply she had sunk down
behind the hedge again as my pursuer'
came IN sight.
81 hope, If there ever be any chance oil
holding my own, that | shall not be
found ready 10 run away but when FOL
lowed by dozen men with sticks it Is
about the only thing that can be done
50 trust | may be pardOned for taking
to my heels.
The men instantly followed at full
speed, and for u time the race was hot
But, still having my tennis SHOES on, an,
being naturally swift of foot, | soon dis
tanccd them, and they were a good hal
mile behind when ! reached Cormack
door.
"Cormack himself was standing OF
the Threshold. At one glance he tool
i'm the situation, having probably haC
some previous information rs To- wha
was going to happen. With q muttere,
oath he seized me by the arm and hur
ried me through the house and into Tn,
ward at the back. There was rick o
turf there which had that day beer
opened. leaving a small aperture in tn,
smooth continuity of its rows,
"'Get in there, sir said Cormack
and Won. Pat addressing his son whC
was working in the yard when | enteredl
build up the clamp again while ] goanC
lock the door. An ii We tell the boy
where the gentleman is, we're no son o
mine
The case was not one which admitted
Of parleying. got into the rick, ant
Pat built up the outside turf with mar
Vicious CELEBRITY. There was room enough
for air and sound to enter through tn,
interstices between the sOds. But the
dust nearly chOked me. However, | wa
glad enough Of even that refuge when
heard the storm of curses that brok,
from my purSuerS, a., having at length
burst open the door, they poured into
the yard.
$50 help me God = l could her Cor
mack SAYING, Il let him out at the bacl
door, boys. Was l to let the gentleman
be murdered in me own house, an hi
staying there "
"Curiously enough, as l thought, tn,
angry men admitted the plea, but al
now turned upon Pat to know which
way had gone. He, being no BETTER
than most OF his cOuntrymen in thu
matter of truthfulness, gave them mos
minute directions as to the route | haC
taken, and, after hurried search OF IN,
house and yard, they started off in pur
suit.
mn "M9 zen they Mefsiso l Time WAS saimoss
fainting from sutiicating dust and the
smell Of the turf. and | was glad to 81
down in the kitchen and have a draught
OF buttermilk. Meanwhile Cormack haC
saddled one of his horses and brough
it round to the door.
"'Get up on that horse, sir, said he
and ride as hard rs you can TO the pc
lice station at Bally -; it's the ONLY
place you'll be safe in after this. II
send on your baggage there for We. Nv,
saved you this day because We wer,
stopping in my own house. but only TO
that wouldn't have put out a finger Il
help We for an English iniormer as V,
are. So there's no thanks due to me.
81 attempted few words of explana
ton and gratitude, but confess to feel
ing decidedly small as | rode away, an,