The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-03-27

private detective, who IS to watch the
canal-boats, to see the boy as he arrives,
and to bring him to me. If they should
make any attempt to scare or corrupt
him, they will be pounced upon and
arrested at once.o
There was a knock at the door, and a
man entered who hurriedly whispered
to Mr.. Messner. That gentleman
jumped up and put on his hat.
"Come, Mr.. White" he said. It
seems they have been sharper than we
were, and have got ahead of US. Come !;
there is not moment to lose. We will
pick up policeman or two on the way.
This is the detective of whom / just
spoke to you"
1t was not more than half-past nine
at night when Nick Pepper left the
General Burnside He had not gone
far from the wharf, whistling as he
went, when he was accosted by two
men, one middle-aged and the other
considerably younger. They were we'll
dressed, and in appearance very gentle
manly.
"God evening"" said the elder of the
two. "May 1 ask if you came from the
canal-boat General Burnside p"
That's where ! came FROM" replied
Nick, who had slight suspicion that
they might be confidence men.
"And is your name Nick Pepper?"
"That's my name," said Nick, won
dering how they had got hold of it.
"Then you are looking for Mr.. Jacob
Messner. He has been anxiously ex-
pecting you, and has sent us to meet
you. We are two of his confidential
clerks"
That's all right, them" said Nick,
his suspicious vanishing at once. "Just
take me straight to Mr. Messner, and 1
will be obliged to you."'
"Perhaps that will hardly be worth
while," said the spokesman. "He is
an old gentleman, and doesn't like to be
disturbed. He said that you had some
figures to tell him, and that you might
tell them to us"
"Joe, said Nick, quite abruptly.
What7"
"Joe," repeated Nick.
Ny name is not Joe. What do you
meanp
81 mean that you don't get no figures
from me. Mr.. Messner is the man 1
want to see."
Come on, then"
The two men stopped in front of a
saloon and invited the boy to walk in
and drink with them.
No, thank you," replied Nick. az
never drink"
Won't you step in, then, and see us
take something?
would rather wait out here"
"Well, never mind. We don't care
to drink. We only wanted to be polite
to you as stranger. we will 90 now
and see Mr.. Messner, and we will be
likely to find him in his downtown
Office, as he has had some troublesome
settlements to make lately, and has
been going through his books at night"
After walking few blocks further,
they turned into narrow street which
seemed to be deserted, as there was
nothing in it but warehouses, in which
no business was done at that hour.
They stopped at a warehouse on the
corner of an alley, and the elder Of the
two men took key from his pocket and
opened the door, first looking around to
make sure that no one was watching
him. He probably did not see a man
who had followed the party at short
distance, and who ran off in another di-
rection as they entered the warehouse.
As soon as the three were within, the
elder man inserted the key in the inside
of the lock, and locked the door,.
| &C IT,, <1I1 rxot, IT .of r1b
bers," he said, "and always insists .on
keeping the door locked"
The place was dark as it is possible
for darkness to be, and it was not until
one of the men had touched match
and lighted lantern that Nick Pepper
was able to look about. He then saw
| that he was in long room which was
entirely empty, with the exceptson Of a
broken counter and an old box.
This is a queer place." said Nick, as
he accomranit his conductors to the
rear endof Thereon (" 1t don't lock as
if any business
Before he could finish the sentence,
he was seized around the body by the
elder man, and the younger one tied his
hands behind his back with a hand
kcrchief.
The attack was 80 sudden and start
ling that he did not think to scream
before their object was accomplished.
Then, as soon as he opened his mouth, a
cooked pistol was thrust into his face,
and he was threatened with instant
death if he should make an outcry.
What is the matter with you?" be
asked. "What do you mean?'
"We want those numbers" said the
elder man, and we mean to have them.
Give them to us and you may go free.
If not, will blow your brains out"
You don't get no figures from me, "
dnggedly replied the boy.
The man hesitated, and then laid
down his pistol.
"Give me that cord, SAM" he said
"We will see how he likes to be strung
up"
j The young man produced long
stout cord, and the elder made slip
moose in one end, which he placed
around the boys neck, throwing the
other end over BEAM"
Give us the numbers" he said, "ol
up you CO."
"See You in Halifax first" mutterec
Nick.
The next instant he was in the air