The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-01
THE C0INEI'S WIFE.
81 AN ENGLISH Ex-Dr:rEcrlyE,

THE C0INER'S WIFE.
81 AN ENGLISH EN-DETECTIvE.
Ishall never forget the 18th of De
cemher, 1879 The streets OF the
great city OF Manchester had grown
anpscssinrlya ,leselate, and "a dense,
black fog prevailed over all the
town.
Twas hurrying, as fast as the night
would allow, from Victoria railway
station. along he then old and dingv
loeansgate. in the direction OF nv Of
flee. Just as the cathedral bells were
chimin. he hour OF IL.
BenmrnLc,i with cold. ] found to INV
great Joy a cheerful fire blazing i'm nv
room, which, thanks to my comrade,
who had retired for the night, had
considerably prepared for me. took
OIL my great coat and mulilcr, drew a
char close to the fender, and began
thnklng over the Incidents OF n case !
had that afternoon brought to a sue
cesSful issue, when, with he sudden
ness oi II startled night birds scream,
] heard Il pitr"ils and prolonged Shrek
issuing from beneath the unshuttcred
window.
ISpr'Ing to my feet, and gazing in the
direction OF the sound saw II sight !
shall never forget while memory holds
% seat in my brain. Avid, white face
with long, dishcvcllel hnir hanging
over an lll-clad form, was gcsr icula-
ting in II hcSrrrhin., manner CLOSE to
the lirelit panes.
Cool and collected rs I usually nm
under extraordinary circumstances, /
must confess to q feeling OF terror
taking possession OF my whole frame
at that instant, and sat there root
ed to the spot. 1t was only for mo.
lnent, thorrh-or, perhaps, as long as
1t would take one tocolnt tcn-bciurc
the nppartion. as it seemed to be,
vanished as suddenly from my trans
fixed gazc as il had in comm. upon
me with all its yha~tly whiteness.
"rhis is very strange" Iinvolunta-
rily exclaimed, land puzzles me not IL
little. What can it meun?"
Then striding toward the door, [
flung it wide open; but there was
nothing before me only the black,
street. ''' ''''''' '"''
For Il little while stood like one
bewil'lcred. l strained my ears is the
anxious hope OF catching the sound
OF some ones footfnIl; but it was all
in vain-thequiet remained unbroken.
Pushing bach the door, l Iturned to
rc-cntrr ile room. when my eyes
caught sight OF a piece OF white pa
per that lay upon the wide sill OF tho
window.
"Ah." thought 1, "here then, is t he
explanation OF this deep mystery"
ltook it to the light, opened it, and
much to my astonishment found IL
message OF deep anguish addressed
to me, III almost undecipherablc
characters. The note was wet in
places as if with tears, and it bore
indubitubl evidence OF having been
hurric,lly written. This is what it
said
fyou would stop more crime, perhaps
murder come nj once to IL Tomson' y
court. Am followed. Heaven save me-
and my child. What shall do? Rescue
us, and God bless You.
LzzIE TnoRSl.EY
Ee careful. Conceal yourself. Watch.
Top room at back
THORNLEY, Thornley,! The name ap-
pe;lred familiar to me. went to the
diary, turned to the letter Il. and
found the following entry:
November "a. lS7s-}in Thornley,, Mia.
Springer, alias SaNley. coincr-wantcd.
Could this, then, be the man who
for nearly eighteen months had sue
ccssfullv cludcd our most vigilant pur-
suit? 1t seemed more than probable
Was the information, however, con.
taincd in that mysterious message OF
q genuine character? Or vast meant
to lead me INTO a fatal trap? The
pronlp,lng> ui my heart answered me,
and that answer WIS: Bill Thornley,,
dcsprru'lo, you arrin 'Tomson S Court,
and will have you my slippery beau
ty, before another day is over.
IL WAS very late, or rat, her ] ought
to 4ny. The day was young when
put out my office lights; for the bell Of
OF St. Peters had just run. out the
hour of one. had decided, what
ever might be The consequences to my
unknown visl'rr, 10 20 home and
sleep over lir matter and then report
the "lr,lmSi anres To he inspector, so
TS to receive his sanction to the step
before pn,tn. my plans intoexrcution.
With this resolution strong upon me-.
] started upon my Journey nome.
NV wny las in he direction oi Green
gate, and several times ere | reached
Black!rars Irl,!lr saw the vision OF
that white ,arr, with it's look of un-
ut,crnhlc terror fixed inmovnbly
upon me,
lnlr in he forenoon OF the same
day returned To he Office and duly
reported my experience OF the previous
night.
This looks like Il serious Job for
you, I.omaN.' said Inspector Jones,
as soon rs | hal finished my report.
".Iust turn to the album there and
look NJ 5 and 7 for II portrait OF
Springer or r'Sa Nley, or 'l'horndykc.
He has done seven years, but has not
accounted for himself for II lon. time
past Is that it, Ain, good. Take
it with You, and ii you get n chance OF
conlparl,l. it with the original. and
find they agree, nab him, that's all.
Would you like Schotield with you?'
"No, y answered
"Wcl, i'll any case, be quite prcpar-
ed to face rough work, for ifyour man
should turn out to be the one sus-
pect, look sharp, advise you."
After these and other timely hints.
retired to the wardrobe adjoining
Jones room. went ina clean-shavei
good-looliing man OF %. and in hal
an hour afferward came out again ir
the character OF a middle aged WON
an, dressed in a rat her seedy suit o.
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