The Press., 1893-09-28
ABSOLUTELY PURE

contain the head and many importan members of the royal family.
 l We knew that every precaution wa taken by the railway company and theil servants to observe clear and safe pas sage for their royal patron, and that ex tra patrolmen were out along the route while to prevent the risk of accident al less important trains were shunted tt one side. The contents of Ill goods trains on the down line were carefully inspect ed in order that no projections should endanger the safety of the special, anc signalmen were more than usually put upon the alert.
 The greatest obstacle we had to con tend against was the pilot engine. w could do nothing till it passed (the loos ened bolts would not affect its passage) and that left only 15 minutes to prepare the rails for the doomed train. Still, we practiced tho screwing process on dummy metals and soon got very expert. The night arrived. The previous evening we had managed, unobserved. to loosen the bolts necessary for our purpose near the middle of the bridge, and we could only trust they would not be tempered with before our arrival next evening. The fateful night,was dark and stormy which favored our purpose. Disguised as railway laborers at 8 village in the vicinity, and having previously conceal ed our tools near the bridge, we made fol the scene of our enterprise. Ensconcing ourselves within the shadow of the para pet, we waited for the pilot engine tc come along. At.last her lights appear in the distance, and she thunders safely over the bridge.
 Now to work.
 Hastily securing our respective rails we make for tho selected spot and com mence to withdraw the bolts. While thus engaged my companion with g bloodcurdling chuckle remarks:
 "We shall bag more of the high and mighty than we first expected. The Duke of k--- and his suit are, I under stand, on board the train"
 ''The Duke of K--?" started and dropped my rail in my excitement. My boys mastcr,' gasped, "and he never travels without him."
 ':So much the worso for your boy then," said the heartless brute as he pro. ceeded with his work.
 In an instant my horrible position flashed upon me. Here was I calmly preparing to slaughter the heads of England (to whom before had never given a thoughtl, and with them my own flesh and blood. I nearly swooned as the awful revelation burst upon me, but in moment I recovered, and then my decision was prompt. True, the failure of the scheme meant certain death to my companion and myself, but what of that? There was still time to save ourselves from becoming wholesale murderers. I shouted, while I replaced my bolt, to Scraggs to drop his rail and fly. He, however, had no such scruples and had too great a regard for his own skin and the promised reward. When he saw I was determined to spoil his plans, he dropped his rail and made for me with a knife, the glitter of which as he closed with me I saw just in time through the darkness.
 As we struggled the roar of the ap preaching train was heard in the dis. tance. Making g. frantic effort, as the train was close upon us, managed to throw Scraggs off. He fell across the off rail. With a rush and roar the royal train swept safely over the bridge, while stifed shriek from Scraggs prepared mo for his fate as ffell in 8 faint against the stonework of the bridge.
 revived in what must have been a few minutes after the passage of the train. The headless trunk of my late companion was the first object that met my eye. shuddered to think how near. ly the occupants of the train had escaped an equally certain death.
 The train had not pulled up, the driver evidently not having felt the obstruction. I hastily replaced the bolts on the other rail, threw the tools into the stream, and with a last glance at the remains ot Scraggs fled from the spot. Unsuspect. ed, I made my way to London, but only to live in deadly fear of the swift and sure vengeance of the secret society.
 The failure of the enterprise must be might I knew their hand would ulti- mately reach me. My money exhaust ed, I conceived the desperate idea of the daring burglary of which was convict ed. If failed to enrich myself, my life would at least be safe in jail. failed miserably enough, got caught red handed and received my sentence.
 Before threw away my liberty saw from the papers that at the inquest on Scragg's remains verdict of. .s'accidental death" was returned. The dastardly at tempt therefore remained unsuspected by the general public, and since came here have heard that the secret society has been broken up and its members scattered. I feel now that shall escape them after all, but I shall die happy, knowing that my boys future is as sured, and that he will never know q was convicted under false name) how near to annihilation his own father had brought him and his country's queen.- London Tit-Bits.