Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-05-29
sombre looking building.

sombre looking building.
Few words were spent in leave
taking. / got out, paid my share of
the fare, and having, with difficulty
distinguished the number on the
door, rang the bell, while the cab
turned the next corner.
Several minutes elapsed, and I
was on the point of giving the knob
another pull, when heard steps in
side. The door opened, and q not
very prepossessing male servant
growled:
"What do you want ?"
"I have a letter for Mr.. Fitz
Quagg," 1 said lis he ine''
"Gimme it, an I'll see." said the
lackey, suatching rather than receiv-
ing the letter from my hand.
Without inviting me to enter, he
slammed the door in my face, and l
heard his heavy tramp retreating.
After another delay, and sound
of lighter footsteps, the door was
again opened, and youngish look
ing man, in garb, as revealed by
the imperfect light, which appeared
more aashy than genteel, stood be-
fore me.
''Sorry to have kept you waiting,
Mr.. Hanley," he said, seizing my
hand cordially. "Have read Bridg's
letter-capital fellow, Bridg. Any
friend of his always welcome. Just
going to dine with q few friends.
Must join us. Good way to intro
duce you. Come, Dick, Turning
to his sur.y servant-''run ahead
and tell them to put another name
in the pot"
Cutting short my acknowledge
ments, Mr.. Fitz Quagg took my arm
and we sauntered leiSurlY along,
AS We turned a corner to go down a
street less inviting, If anything,
than the one we had left, I caught
glimpse, 1 fancied, of form, on the
opposite side of the street, much re-
sembling the burlY figure of Mac
Grumlie.
We stopped at length before door
at which my companion knocked
peculiarly. We were at once ad-
mitted, and Mr.. Fitz Quagg led the
way to a room lighted by a dim
lamp, where, half invisible in an at
mosphere of smoke, sat three of his
familiar spirits, each with pipe in
his mouth.
81 say, Dick" said Fitz Quagg-
the ceremony of introduction over
''fill us UP the glasses while we're
waiting for the solids.7'
Soon each mau had tRmbler of
punch before HIM
"uere's to our better acquaint-
ance-no heeltaps, mind % called
out the hilarious Fitz Quagg, rising
ard draining his ioram in honor of
the sentiment.
Out of sheer politeness Iswallow-
ed the abominable stuff, though the
taste half sickened me. In a few
seconds my head began to whirl.
Fitz Quagg and his friends seemed
to be spinning round the room. The
clouds of smoke thickened. Ny
temples throbbed. A dull heaviness
settled on my brain, and at
last, came unconscious ness.
How long it was before my facul-
ties returned I know not but when
they did, my companions had dis
appeared. I felt for my watch to
note the time. 1t was gone, and
my pocketbook and money with it.
The truth flashed upon me.
"Drugged and robbed I" l eX-
claimed.
you've hit it exactlY," answel-
ed a voice, which 1 had heard be-
fore ; and turning about, my eyes
fell on the impressive face Of the
gruff MacGrumlie.
Never mind" lie continued,
''your property and the robbers are |
both safe at the station house. The |
fellow you parted with this morning |
is noted thief, whose face having |
grown too familiar in London, he |
has been plying his tradeon the con-
tinent of late. Ascertaining, pro-
baby, that you had 3 large sum of
money about you, he came across
the channel in your company, but |
finding no safe chance to pick your
pocket by the way, and not daring |
to follow any further, he commend
ed you to the kind Offices of his city |
friends, trusting to their honor to
remit him his share of the spoil"
GAS an old detective, I had little
difficulty in fathoming his scheme,
as soon as I learned he had given
you a letter. So kept a close watch !
on your movements from the mo-
ment you left the cab, which l dis
missed Immediately after. Then
waiting till things had gene far
enough to insure the rogues good |