Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-02-08

where a pole had been slanted up
against the wall to assist eiihper'
The man had lifted the pole over 10
helm him down, and found the prints OF
his sandals in the soft earth. IL was
settled, to my satisfaction, at leaSe'
that the assassin was a native, although
at this point the police brought Tor
ward the theory that the person was
European, probably disguised as ma
| tive The arrest of dozen sailors ana
yagabonds followed. while all the ma
/ tives in Jail were turned loose.
never knew whether the police believ-
ed in the new theory. or whether IL
was advised by the government, out
circumstances went to prove thai Inc
latter was the case. The arrest ana
abuse of innocent natives was causing
much excitement in the city, and IL
was doubtless deemed safer to take an
other theory. At the same time the
authorities offered reward OF El,000
for the arrest of the real assassin ana
a private circular was sent to every
European in Bombay warning him TO
be on his guard.
On the evening of the tenth day
after the third murder | was In read
ing room much frequented by Euro
peans. When | left had to cross
plat of ground about forty feet wide.
1t was well shaded by trees, but also
we'll lighted by gas-light, and brick
sidewalk six feet wide ran straight to
the street. Near the gate leading to
the street was the only dark spot, and
n bench was here placed beneath
tree. AS l came along l noticed
native seated on the bench as if wait
ing for his master inside. / noticed
him as one might glance at passing
c.rriage, lid was going on, when he
called:
"Sahib, for Gods sake stop mo-
ment! l am very i'll. l have been
poisoned"
s.Do you think you have been poi
soned?" l s,sked as | left the path and
approached him.
II am sure of it. Let me take your
hand"
He seized my left hand in his left,
and his fingers had the grip of wise.
He half rose from the bench, and
something forced me to say:
II am sorry for you. l will go and
find some Englishman who can render
you aid"
"But are you no English?"
"No, l am an American"
He seemed to gasp, and l heard him
nutter under his breath as he relaxed
his grasp on my fingers. Then he
said:
Never mind, Sahib-never mind.
We are all dogs to the t.ngu.l. They
would be glad to see me die. will
and doctor."
He staggered away through the gate
and was out of sight in moment.
, while found myself SO weak that
was obliged to sit down on the bench
he vacated. l had caught sight of a
, naked knife in his right hand as he
, half rose from the bench Here was
the assassin! He was powerful fellow,
with muscles of steel. He got my left
, hand, intending to lift my arm and
give me the fatal blow, but when gave
, my nationality he desisted 1t was the
J English he was after l had seen him
| in the shadow, where all dark faces
} look alike. had heard his voice, but
! all natives of India seem to have the
} same intonations. Had he been led be-
fore me two minutes later in company
with others l could not have picked
, him out. But what assurance the as
, sassin must have! There was not q
) minute in which some one was not
t passing. Indeed, as | stood before
. him two men entered from the street
and two left the reading rooms. He
Q hadn't one chance in fifty of commit
n ting murder and escaping observation
n and pursuit. but he took the risks
n 1t is a fact conceded by the average
D Englishman that British official who
is willing to take advice is rarity
Y The Indian mutiny was years coming
The signs were as plain as the sun a
s MONDAY, but British pigheadednes:
= and official egotism refused to see OF
t believe. | verify believe that i
Y a New York detective should pro
n coed to London and secure 6
|. straight pointer as to the identity o
It the Whitechapel fiend he would no
g only be scoffed at, but obstruction
!. would be thrown in his way. | felt it m,
s duty to go to the English chief of DO
e lice of Bombay and lay the facts be
Q fore him as l have before the eeader
Y He began to smile as soon as I hegal
: to talk, and presently waved me away
3 and said
d Thanks for your kindness, sir Blu
}; your story is all nonsense. You dom
/ know these natives as we do. Yol
e were bit scared, you know, and yor
. saw knife and plot where nothin,
e of the sort existed. Thanks, sir, but
I am very busy to-dayv'
a l went away feeling mortified an
J. indignant, but revenge was at hand
g That very evening, between ten an
t. eleven o'clock, member of the civi
IS government of the Bombay presidenc
y he was a tax receiver, | believe
was found weltering in his blood a
e the assassin's fourth victim. He wa
o lying in heap in front of bench in
W public park, and it was easy enoug
n for me to realize how it had com