The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-18


waite was left alone with his ownlrefec-
tions Solitude did not add to the harms
of his situation. The storm seemed to be
steadily increasing in violence, and houoh
he had no desire to initiate the eXaAple of
Mr.. Wyldfre, the banker presentlymoyed
round his beat, looking for a chAce of
| gaining shelter. He came thus to 10. O.
the Duke of Dublius house. 1t wasa fine
mansion, with large portico exteniing to
the pavement; and, remembering his in
structions from the Inspector, Mr.. Tidy-
waite thought he would be doing hi duty,
as well as consulting his inclination If he
stood up against one of the pillars at the
side, sheltered from the wind. HI stood
there about quarter of an hour, lis toes
numbed and his teeth chattering, wen the
clock OF neighborng church struci nine.
The last stroke had scarcely ceased when
Mr.. Tidywaite was startled by low
whistle close at hand. Looking out
from his shelter he perceived tall
man, in an ulster, standing under
a neighboring lamp-post. AS if in
response to the whistle, two othe men
hurried up from opposite directions. Their
movements were so mysterious Tat the
special constable drew back as far out of
sight as he could get The men wee now
talking together, and the Inspectr's in
structions-the allusion to the Dixie OF
Dublin and the dYnamiters-recurrecpa
fully TO Mr.. Tidywaite's mip&;-4 Is =
caught fragments of the conversation inn
rich Mllesian brogue.
In another minute or so the ,yo last
Corners again departed in opposite direc-
lions, and Mr.. Tidywate's heat sank into
his boots as he saw the tall man advance
steGlthily towards No. T. Hewas now close
alongside the special and looking into TIE
area, beyond doubt with some sinister pur
pose. The inclination to fly was almost
irresis IDLE in Mr. Tidywlite's breast, but
he summoned up all his sense OF public
duty, and with supreme effort stepped
out and accostcd the mysterious stranger.
"Now, sir,' he said, what is your bust
ness hereE"
What has that to dowith you?" returned
the man.
II am Representative of the law, and it
is my duty to ask what you are doing"
"And suppose I den't tell you?"
Then 1 must asEyou to come along with
me-"
'And suppose l say l sha'n't come?" said
the man with a coltemptuous laugh.
"Then l shall arrest you in the Queens
name" replied the valiant constable. And
producing his handcuffs he made vicious
grab at the stranger. Perhaps the tall man
was taken aback at this unexpected display
of resolute government. At any rate, he
stood quite still much to Mr.. Tidywaite's
relief, and allowed the bracelets to be
slipped on to his wrists. Then he began to
move off.
stop" criedthe special; ''we are going
the other way"
Il ANTI" said the tail man. ''You can if
you like"
Unfortunately, however, Mr.. Tidywaite
had taken the prccaution of attaching the
handouts tightly round mis- own waist The
prisoner showed no disposition to stop, and
as his advantage in strength more than
counterbalanced the specials superiority
in weight, and as, moreover, the pavement
was TOO slippery to afford any foo hold for
resistance, Mr. Tidywaite felt himself re-
luctantly compelled to follow.
Help help" he cried, frautically, as he
found himself being hurried into trot.
The two confederates came running ~
J at the sound of hiss vni~S
| "Stuff his resprator into his mouth,
Mike" said the tall man, land tie his muff-
Ter over it, or he'll rouse the whole eigh-
| borhood."
This was quickly done, in spite of Mr..
Tidywaite's resistance, and the unfortunate
| special found himself again dragged off be-
hind his prisoner, while each one OF the
accomplices held one of his arms.
| There was just one hope, he thought, Of
escape. He was being marched towards
| Baker street, where he knew that other
| special constables were on duty. The idea,
however, seemed to strike the conspirators
as soon as himself, for, at word from the
tall man, one Of the others presently took
the key of the handouts from Mr.. Tidy
waite's pocket and in another moment the
| special himself was handcuffed, while the
| tall man took possession of the truncheon
and transferred the constables armlet to
his own arm. No sooner was this done
| than they met pair Of specials on their
| beat.
ITS all right" said the tall man, in
answer TO question from one of the con-
| stables. ''He was drunk and disorderly,
and assaulted this gentleman here. But
we've got him safe enough now" Poor
! Mr.. Tidywaite was inst attempting to ex-
plain matters when he was hurriedly car
ried on by his captors, and not allowed to
again stop until the party arrived at a
| dingy-looking house in the neighborhood of
High street, Maryebone, where the pris-
oner was conducted to large room, scan.
lilly furnished, in the upper part of the
| house.
A very few minutes observation salts.
fed the terrified banker that he was in a
nest of cOnspirators of a dark and lnalig-
nant character. To begin with, his three
companions, as they entered the house, one
and all assumed black masks. They OK
changed remarks, too, in a language which
Mr.. Tidywaite had never heard before, and
addressed one another by numbers instead
of names. The prisoner was hidden to sit
down at one end Of the room. His pockets
were turned out and his stock of provisions
were distributed among the gang, who DIS
| posed OF them, excepting the cough loz-
| euges, with evident relish. Then, on his
speak, the handouts were removed, and an
individual known apparently as Number
| Siven" took up his post beside him, pistol
in hand. In the course Of half an hour two
or three desperadoes, all masked and
armed, dropped in and took their seats at
half dozen were thus assembled "Num-
Der Siven," at word from the tall man,
led the prisoner into small room adioin-
ing. 1.-THE Council are going to consider
your case" said Number Siven. "Ye'll
know your sinthence in the course OF half
an hour. In the meantime keep quiet, or
! ye're did man"