Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-02-03

tied and get back home; I ought to have re-
The truth was I suspected that Williams
der that Murphy might intercept the tele::
gram, ~ he could easily have done, and
armed with its authority, draw the money
which they expected. Now, notwithstand-
ing my first letter home, in which had ex-
| planned clearly how matters stood, was
sure that my wife would be thrown into Q
state of nervous agitation, and, who knewl
she might think that really needed money,
and send 1t, after all. / was determined
hands,. Again, however, Williams tried to
persuade me into going out.
"n you like" said /, sswe win have . ci.
gar outside, in front Of the hotel, until Mr..
To this he readily assented, trusting
doubtless to the chapter of accidents for
| some chance Of getting me away to dis
| lance. We had not been standing on the
| steps many minutes when Mr.. Murphy came
| up, evidently Disconnected ut finding us
there. It was now his turn to try what he
could do.
"sure, thin, you'll be taking your boy
down to the ship presently"
TIVE we shall have have to 60 d Ire
here till you come back, for I've got some
letthers to write, and 1 can do it while you
and Captain Williams are away, and thin I'll
be ready for you"
asked.
"But don't you see" he persisted, 81
| am not like you, gintlemen. As tould you,
| Pve been brought up in the country, and
writing is no aisy work to me. TIL take me
q long time, and couldn't think Of detain-
| ing YOU"
Still insisted upon waiting for him. and
he at last gave up his attempt.
"Ah, well, never mind; it don't matter
much. can write the letthers afterwards.
Let us go down with your son to the ship,
and perhaps when we come back the tele-
gram will have come"
"Now, I thought might venture to leave.
1 had both the men with me, and there was
no fear of the telegram's being intercepted.
Very stupidity had forgotten the third man
about whom the detective had warned me.
However, we all three went out together,
and as we descended the steps of the hotel 1
sign was observed, but for the life OF me
dared not look.
We walked on; Murphy, smoking cigar,
always keeping about half-a-dozen yards In
front Of us When we reached tine doss
had to cross little bridge separating the
dock from a smaller basin. This bridge was
just being turned for the purpose OF allow
ing vessel to pass We had barely time to
fastened over: but at that moment Murphy
suddenly turned back, saying: "Sure my
cigar has made me dry. Twill just go over
yonder and get bottle of ginger-beer."
As he spoke we three stepped over the
bridge, leaving him on the other side, and
the next instant the bridge was turned away,
and there was no going back for us. Now,
thought I, am foiled at last. This was
dodge of his to get back to the hotel and
ever, but to go forward. We went to the
ship, and saw the boy on board. Captain
Williams was soon in conversation with the
master of the vessel, with the overseer OF
word as he had promised to do for my son,
and conducting himself in way that harmon,
lied perfectly with the account which he had
given of his position and career.
Meanwhile, was in fever OF excitement
about mytelegram and Mr.. Murphy. So far
had seen nothing of the detectives, and be-
gan to fear that after all these swindlers
would get the better of me. But now, to
nv intense relief, as 1 stood by Williams's
side caught sight of Detective Brown some
twenty wards off. eCareessly sauntering
away from Williams while he was in con-
versatiOn with some one else, 1 was appar-
emily interested in the examination OF vari-
Gus objects lying about, and by degrees
managed to walk uncOncernedly past the de-
tective. As Ibid SO he said in a low voice:
"Don't look at me and don't speak. We've
got the other two, and il you will take Will
liams back TO the hotel, we will have him
next.0 -. .-
I could scarcely believe my ears, and very
difficult was it to keep an impassive coun-
tenance as heard this welcome intelligence.
But / took no notice OF the speaker, and
sauntered on until ! came up again to the
American, who was still talking earnestly
with officer of the Berkshire Castle.
"Now, Captain Williams" said l, "what
do you say about returning? Or shall we go
down to your ship? 1 should like to see the
Alma before CO."
some luncheon on board when this business
was settled. Suppose we go back now and
see if your telegram has come. But what has
become Of that fellow Murphy, wonder?
suppose he found the bridge up, and could
not get back to us; but 1 guess Wen find
him at the hotel"
Mentally I guessed that we should
not, but I said nothing, and We
walked on. Williams looked round
him to talk. I suppose that he missed his
confederates, and not knowing what to
make of it, became nervous and troubled.
just as we reached the door of the hotel, two
detectives stepped up and touched us both
on the shoulder.
"You're wanted at Dale Street." said one
of them.
It was like a stroke of paralysis to the
American Captain. His face became livid,
his eyes were glazed, his mouth drawn
down. He was man of powerful physique,
but his arms dropped nervelessly to his
sides, and without an effort or word he al
lowed himself to be led off to to the police
office by one Of the detectives. The other
stepped into my hotel, and reckoning me to
follow, showed me pocket-book which
had seen on the previous day in Mr.. Muir
phys hands distended by bank That
good fat bundle which had made the Irish
man appear so enviably rich, turned out to
be q piece of newspaper neatly folded and
inclosed in two five-pOund notes on the
" Bank of Engraving" Seen from distance,
they were splendid counterfeits of genuine