Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11


that there 10 scheme on foot TO rob this bank
and that You were to have been the chief instru-
ment III enabling the gang TO accomplish their
object. You were first to be induced to take
impressions Of the keys Of the outer Office and
the strong room and afterward to report the
time when, "a Mr.. Rodman phrases 1t, they
could get the largest swag."
For some seconds sGrcgson stood parnlyzed
with horror. "Good heavensl' he cried at last,
Ibid they think me capable Of such meanness
and treachery?''
"Yes," answered Mr.. Rotlman. "Mr. Walter
Neame explained the whole matter to me. and
last night he told me that you were disguised
with the whole concern and talked about send
ing in your resignation"
THAT, at least, Is correct. II this had not
happened you would never have seen me at
any Of these smokers again, and shall send in
my resignation at once" said Gregson.
''No, you will do no such thing replied Mr..
Rodman; ''that would spoil everything. We
are going to have grand capture, but we must
make sure of a conviction before we make our
attack
swell, am quite willing to be guided by
you and Mr.. Benson, If you will tell me what
are your wishes"
Then when you leave the bank you will go
straight to your lodgings, pack up what you
wish to take with you, and ut once proceed to
the Paddington station and take your ticket to
Plymouth, where understand your mother ia
living. You must not write any letter or see
any one, or communicate with any one but yonr
landlady. You will say nothing to her except
that you Ore obliged suddenly to leave town,
and that you will write to her il need be. II
You adhere to these instructions, well; if you
attempt to act in opposition to them. you will
find out your mistake. You have been for some
time past under police surveillance, and are
known as an associate of thieves
THAT will do. sir; that will dor' exclaimed
Mr.. Benson. ''There is no need for any
threats"
Perhaps not, SIR replied the sergeant:
''but it's quite as well that this young gentle
man should know what a mess he has got him
self into
''Just So" said Mr.. Benson, rising. Time
passes and must bid you good morning. ~
And then, turning to Gregson, he said: Il shall
telegraph to your mother ut once"
Joe Gregson cashed his check and left the
bank and made his way to his lodgings as
quickly as he could, and then he sat down to
think. All that had transpired in the managers
room seemed to him like bad dream. Could
it be possible that it was true? Was it within
the bounds of probability that his old school
fellow and dearest friend should have fallen so
low as to have become thief. and. worse still,
to have tried to entangle him in the same net?
No. he could not believe it. Yet the detectives
story fitted in so closely with certain covert al
lusions made by some of the members of the
club, which he at the time thought were spoken
in jest, that his belief in Walter Neame began to
waver.
Bat time was passing; if he wanted to catch
the las train he must pack up his things
at once. This done. he called up the landlady,
paid her the rent and started for Paddington.
He took his ticket, obtained comfortable seat
in second-class carriage. and the train started.
Now new source Of uneasiness arose on his
mind. What was he to say to his mother: and
what was he to say to a certain young lady to
whom he was engaged to be married? Until
these thoughts came into his mind he did not
fully realize what a reckless fool he had been
The journey from Paddington to Plymouth is
long and tedious one. and what. with the
excitement of the morning and the worry of the
situation altogether. it is not to be wondered at
that by the time the train reached Bristol be
wa thoroughly tired out The compartment in
which he had taken his seat gradually emptied,
and by the time they reached Weston he had it
to himself. and had curied himself up and was
fast asleep.
At BrldSwater two men ran along the plat
form till they came to the carriage in which
Gregson was sleeping, and one said:
Here's an empty carriage. Get in here
The train had not proceeded far when Joe
Gregson, disturbed by the talking Of the
strangers, gradually awoke to consciousness.
There was something in the voice Of one Of the
mea that was familiar to him. and he lay quite
still and listened. The voice was that of Walter
NeCme.