The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-04-12


:'Now, SIR he said, what is your
business here?''
What has that to do with your
returned the man.
II am q representative of the Law,
and it is my duty to ask what you
are doing
:.And suppose I don't tell you?''
'fhen l must ask you to come along
with me.''
"And suppose 1 say 1sha'n't come,''
said the man with a contemptuous
laugh. :,
''Then I shall arrest you in the
Queens name, replied the valiant con-
stable. And producing his handouts
he made vicious grab at the strang.
or. 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 besllpped on to his wrists.
Then he began to move off.
"stop" cried the special; 1--WE are
going the other way"
II ain't!" said the tall man. "You
can if you like"
| Unfortunately, however, Mr.. Tidy
waite had taken the precauticn of
attaching the handouts tightly round
his own waist. The prisoner showed
no disposition to stop. and as his ad.
vantage in strength more than coun.
terbalanced the specials superiority
in weight, and as, moreover, the pave.
ment was too slippery to afford any
toothold for resistance, Mr.. Tidywaite
felt himself reluctantly compelled to
follow.
"Help, help" he cried irantically.
as he.found himself being hurried into
trOt.
The two confederates came running
up at the sound of his voice.
'Stuff his respirator into his mouth,
Nike" said the tall man, land tie his
muller over it. or he'll rouse the whole
neishborhood."
This was quickly done, in spite of
Mr.. Iidywaite's resistance, and the
unfortunate special found himself
again dragged off behind his prisoner,
while each of the accomplices held one
of his arms.
There was just one hope, he thought,
OF escape. He was being marched to-
wards 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
MIR. Tidywaite's pocket. and in an.
other moment the special himself was
handcuffed, while the tall man took
possession OF the truncheon, and
transferred the constable's armlet to
his own arm. No sooner was this
done than they met pair of specials
on their beat.
OTIS all right" said the tall man.
in answer to a question from one OF
! the constables. "He was drunk and
disorderly, and assaulted this gentle
man here. But we've got him safe
enough now" Poor Mr.. Tidywaite
was just attempting to explain mat
! tiers when he was hurriedly carried on
by his captors, aud not allowed to
again stop until the party arrived at
a dingy looking house in the neighbour
hood of High Street, Marylebone,
where the prisoner was conducted to
O large room, scantily furnished, in
the upper part OF the house.
A very few minutes observation
satisfied the terrified banker that he
was in a. nest OF conspirators of a
dark and maliynant character. To
begin with, his three companions as
they entered the house one and all as.
sumed black masks. They exchanged
remarks, too, in q language which Mr..
Tldywaite had never heard before,
and addressed one another by mum.
bers instead of names. The prison.
er 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
lozenges, with evident relish. Then on
his solemnly swearing neither to
move nor speak the handouts were
removed and an individual known ap-
parently as Number Siven" took up
his post beside him, pistol in hand. In
the course OF half an hour, two or
three other desperadoes, all masked
and armed, dropped in and took their
seats at table at the other end of
the room. When half dozen
were thus assembled "Number Siven,"
at word from the tall man, led the
prisoner into small room adjoining.
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 mean
time keep quiet or ye're did man."
zone moment" whispered the bank
er, as his jailer was about to leave
the room. "You cannot object to
tell me who you are and where am"
"Sure ye can guess?"
IL may be wrong; let me know the
worst"
you're just in the hands OF the
Clan-na-Gael, and the gentlemen to
whom you've been introduced are the
executive Council OF the London Di-
vision-more power to them!" And
with that Number Siven hastily re-
tired.
Heavens, what situation! The
bankers head reeled, and he wiped
the perspiration from his brow.
Presently he looked around the
room. but it contained no win
NO", HO1 ttuy AOpo VI eSCtapo VI SuC-
cor. For half an hour or more he re-
manned there, listening to the voices
in the next room, at the end Of which
time he was reduced to the last stage
of mental and bodily prostration.
Then Number Siven returned, revol.
yer in hand, and led him into the pres
ence OF the Council, who were seated
round a table, all masked.
"Joseph Tidywaite," said the Chair
man, whom the banker at once recog-
nized as the tall man whom he had
captured in the square, "you have
been charged with being an inimy of
Oireland, and with thwarting an i'm
portant operation OF the Provisional
Government. The council have con-
sidered your case, and your sinthence,
is Death by the Third Process.
The wretched man essaved tn aneak