The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23

fully TO Mr.. Tidywaite's mind. as he
caught fragments of the conversation in
rich Milesian brogue.
In another minute or so the two last
corners again departed in opposite direc-
tions, and Mr.. Tidywaite's heart sank into
his boots as he saw the tall man advance
steslthilF towards No. Z. He was now close
alongside the special and looking into the
area, beyond doubt with some sinister pur-
pose. The i.clination to fly was almost
irresistible in Mr.. Tidywaite's breast, but
he summoned up all his sense OF public
duty, and with q supreme effort stepped
out and accosted the mysterious stranger.
''NOw, SIR" he said, what is your busi-
ness heref'
What has that to do with youi" returned
the man.
Il am representative of the law, anu it
is my duty to ask what you are doing"
Sand suppose 1 don't tell youi"
Then must ask you to come along with
me-"
"And suppose say I sha'n't c0me!' said
the man with u con,emptuous laugh.
Then l shall arrest you in the Queens
name" replied the valiant constable. And
producing his handouts he made a 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 of
''Stcp!' cried the special; "we are going
the other way"
Il ain't!' said the tall man. "You can if
you ike"
Unfortunately, however, Mr.. Tidywaite
had taken the precaution 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 footho!d for
resistance, Mr.. Tidywaite felt himself re-
luc'antly compelled to follow.
Help help!' he cried, frautically, 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 muff-
ler over it, or he'll rouse the whole neigh
borhood"
This was quickly done. in spite of Mr..
Tidywaite's resistance, and the unfortunate
special found himself again dragged OF 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
walte's pocket, and in another moment the
special himself was handcuf1ed, while the
tall man took possession of the truncheon
and transferred the constable's arn.et to
his own arm. No sooner was this done
than they met pair of specials on their
beat
Its al right said the tall man, in
answer 10 q 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.. Tidywalte was inst attempting to ex-
plain matters when he was hurriedly car
red 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. Marylebone, where the pris-
oner was conducted to large room, scan
house.
A very few minutes observation salts
fed the terrified banker that he was in a
nest of conspirators OF dark and malig-
nant character. To begin with, his three
companions, as they entered the house, one
and all assumed black masks. They ex-
changed remarks, too, in 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
enges, with evident relish. Then, on his
solemnly swearing neither to move nor
speak, the handouts were removed. and an
individual known apparently as Mum Der
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
q table at the other end of the room. When
half dozen were thus assem- bled Mum
ber Siven," at word from the tall man,
led the prisoner into q small room adjoin-
ing. "The Council are gcing to consider
your case" said Number Siven. ''Ye'll
know your sinthence III the course OF half
an hour. In the meantime keep quiet, or
ye're did man"
'One moment" whispered the banker,
as his jailer was about to leave the room.
"You can not object to tell me where you
are and where am"
'Sure We can guessr'
81 may be wrong; let me know the
worst"
'Ye're just in the hands Of the Clan ma
Gael, and the gintiemen to whom yc've
been introduced are the Executive Coun-
Gil of the London Division-more power to
themI' And with that Number Sven has
tily retired.
Heavens what a situationl The bankers
head reeled, and he wiped the pe-spiratiou
from his brow Presently he looked around
the room but it contained no window, nor
any hope of escape or succor. For half an
hour or more he remained there, list ming
20 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. revolver in
hand, and led him into the presence of the
Council, who were seated round table
ali masked.
Joseph Tidywaite" said the Chairman,
whom the banker at once recognized 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 important operation of the Provisional
Government The Council have con-
sidered your case. and your sinthence is
Death by the Third Process"
The wretched man essayed to speak, but
terror tied his tongue, and he clung to
Number Siven to save himself from falling
The Council have, however, mercifullv
attached a proviso TO the sinihence," pur-
sued the Chairman. "Your life will be
spared on condition OF your taking the oath