The Bottineau pioneer., 1892-01-09

funny about it ALL" was about to
reply that with Derringer right in the
city, it was odd that the Boston po-
lice, instead of ours, had discovered
his identity, when we heard racket
on the stairs and the rapid fall from
step to step of a heavy body to a low
er landing. Derringer's voice was say
ing something that we could not dis
tinguish.
Though we were on the landing in
less than minute, all we saw was a
glimpse of Derringer half carrying a
man across the white sidewalk. When
we reached the street we SAW g. cab
rapidly disappearing in the swirling
snow and the darkness.
Next morning the Boston dispatch
an Derringer's item which he had
given to the Press sAssociation-were in
every paper padded more or less and
under 'scare' headlines. Though most
of the papers feigned to laugh at the af-
fair, we all knew that much uneasi-
ness was felt. But Derringer was the
chief bugaboo, and, with the newspa-
pers and public sentiment spurring
them on, the police ransacked the
city for him. It is perhaps relevant
to say that they did not find him
Early in the afternoon the telephone
bell had rung and found that Derrin-
ger was talking to me. When he was
sure it was I, he said:
"They haven't found me, and I
don't intend they shall just yet.
What do you think of me, Jimmie?
You don't believe but what I'm all
right, do your"
"Why, no." said, "but l wish
you'd explain yourself. Tell me tho
whole business. I won't give you
away"
There was a pause and then Der
ringer said, as if he had rehearsed it
all. "Your Office is the one marked for
that shooting scrape night. I found
that out only this morning. All l
knew last night was the man who was
to reconnoitre. Twas laying for him,
and he is now in my custody-or
rather in my room in the hotel.
I'll see you tonight. Keep
still and we'll have a big
sensation. Don't breathe q word
of it."
was wild with curiosity. "Who is
the mann" I asked.
''No," answered Derringer, II
haven't drank since dinner"
"What?"
II say my bank account is thinner
than it was"
"Oh, come off! What are you driv-
ing at? Tell me more about the
scheme"
But he only laughed at me.
The Major sent for me late in the
day and asked what I thought we had
best do. I said didn't think it nee
essary to do anything. The whole
thing was a bluff. But the Major was
wary. "It doesn't cost much to take
precaution," he said; chow about q
few policemen"
"You'd be laughed at in three coun-
ties," / said. ave were too brave in
the paper this morning." I wanted
to see Derringer before ar
ranging for any police. So l stuck
to my advice, and the Majors pride
finally downed his fears and he agreed
to leave things with me.
About nine o'clock Derringer again
rang me up.
"1f young man OF twenty-five or
so calls on you somewhere about
half-past ten," hesaid, "and mentions
the name, Dorchester you may
know he's all right. Perhaps you
heard me knock him down tho office
stairs last night. Let him stay till
come"
Twas getting nervous, and it was a
good while before an hour had passed.
Not long after ten O'Clock, however,
the door was opened and a slight, in
tellectual looking young man crossed
to my desk. I thought OF dynamite
bombs and horse pistols, but the
young man did not lift finger.
perhaps you know" he said, "that
Dorchester is not hundred miles from
the heart of Boston. Well, I'm from
there"
"Oh, yes," said I. ~ know you.
Where's Derringer?" -.
"About a block away, with a minion
of the law" ~"
had never had a mysterious visi-
itor and this one disconnected me. So
i kept still, while he picked up
O. newspaper and settled himself
in chair. Somehow, although l
knew might be harboring the tradi-
tional viper ON the Majors hearth, I
felt very secure with this fellow in the
room. My mind began to be once
more on my work.
Suddenly the young man from Dor