The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-07-12

platform as che Paddington terminus
At the moment 1 did 20 man came For
ward and laid his hand on my arm.
a"You're wanted by the police sal,
he, sternly. Come, no CANNON /; b,
quiet" continued he, tightening his hols
~ ! drew back in indignant astonish
ment- /" You're apprehended on suspi
cion of highway robbery and murder
and you have about your person larr,
sam in gold or notes. the proceeds of t6,
same"
"What ?' cried /. Are you dream
ing? Are you mad ? Why. have JUS
come from Wales, and have NOT been ii
England 3 week"
That's right enough" replied tn.
man. "We know wen where you'y.
been: but take my advice and don't le,
out too much. Understand that whatev
or yOusay will be used against you on
your trial, If it comes to that. Run him
In" continued be TO two cOnstables, who
had already fastened hand-cufs on nv
wrists, and who now forced me into q cak
and took their seats on either side.
Ihe cabman drove quickly, and We
Soon arrived at police station.
"NOw," said the man who had first
arrested me, and who / afterward found
was one of the most active of the metro
politan detective force, you know the
charge but If you are 20 precious igno-
rant OF the nature of the business, I'll
just read you an extract from the Times
newspaper. Listen: 'On the afternoon
of Monday last horrible outrage was
perpetrated near the village of Builth, in
Wales. The victim is an old peddIer,
who has for many years travelled in that
part of the country. The body of the
deceased was found in lonely spot not
far from the town. 1t was at FIRST sup
posed that the injuries which caused
death might have been selfinfiicted but
subsequent examination seems TO leave
little doubt but that barbarous murder
has been committed.
The report current in the neighbor-
hood that the old man had accumulated
and carried about with him a large sum
OF money probably instigated the crime.
Although strict examination had been
made of his clothes, and also of bundle,
and an old-fashiOned box carried by the
deceased, no money has been found. 1t
is reported that stranger, respectfully
dressed, was seen on the day preceding
the supposed murder in company with
the old man, and that an alteration took
place between them, IN which reference
was made to some miniature, and during
which the words gold . and money -
were frequently repeated. A person an
swerlng to the description of this individ-
al, but about whose identity there at
present seems to lie some doubt, is stated
to have been in the town of Builth on
the day when the supposed murder must
have been committed"
During the reading of the above, the de-
detectives from time TO time looked up and
watched me narrowly. Acold sweat broke
out and stood in thick drops on nv fore
head, and must have fallen fainting to the
ground had not the men on either side
me.
Now" said be, folding the newspaper
what zf1H have fea you on about yy6u TWO or
three hundred pounds, I'll warrant, and
l hope that little work of art, the likeness
of the young lady, just to clench the bus
iness."
By this time | had recovered myself
sufficiently to trust myself to speak, and
/ replied: know that / am in your
power, and that appearances are fearfully
against me; but you will allow me to
make protest, and to swear to you that
l am entirely innocent Of this horrible
crime. II have money, and of large
amount, about me, am willing to hand
it over TO the police authorities at once
but / can fully explain how ! became
possessed Of it. have nothing more to
say"
But the pIcture-the miniature of
lady-where's that 80 asked the detective
eagerly. "It's no use trying to come
over as like that; give it mp, l say"
With a sickening sensation drew the
portrait of my mother from my breast,
kissed it fervently, and handed it to the
man.
THAT'S all we WANT said he, with
satisfied smile; " that win do very nicely.
Now yOu keep what you have TO say till
You go before the magistrate tomorrow
morning. Good night"
In another moment | was thrust into
a narrow cell, and the door was locked
and barred upon me. When l sat next
morning in the little police cell, waiting
to be taken before the magistrates, con
fess that felt some misgiyiRgs- Surely,
however, ! thought perfectly innocent
person would be able TO clear himself of
the suspicion Of being concerned in such
crimes AZ murder and highway robbery.
At length the time arrived for the hear
ing Of my case. The detective who had
arrested me was present, and rs looked
around the little court recognized on
the bench, near the magistrate, the gen
tIeman who had been my fellow-passen-
ger from Australia As / caught his eye
/ smiled Familiarity at him and nodded,
but was astonished and pained beyond
measure to receive no friendly sign in
return. After reading the charge, and
some preliminary proceedings, the magis-
trate said to the detective:
" Do you ask for remand for further
evidence in this case p
sThat is ~ your worship pleases," " re
Piled the man! /" There win be further
disclosures without doubt, but the evil
denee that has already been collected, !
think. will be found more than enough TO
warrant the prisoners being committed
on the capital chasgen ...a7s '4s.se
He here referred tOa . piece Of paper
that be held in his hand and read cut the
names of the witnesses and the nature oi
the evidence that each was prepared to
give. To my dismay / found arrayed
a0ainst me q number Of persons who