Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-01

.
 The wheels of the engine of the com ing train would take those short rails like points, and as the ends curved off toward the parapet of the bridge the whole train would leave the rails and be precipitated from the frightful height into the stream beneath. There would be no escape for a single soul in that train. And so, calmly and in cold blood, we arranged the wholesale destruction of the south bound train which would contain the head and many important members of the royal family.
 We knew that every precaution was taken by the railway company and their servants to observe 6 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 all less important trains were shunted to one side. The contents of all goods trains on the down line were carefully inspect ed in order that no projections should endanger the safety of the special, and signalmen were more than usually put upon the alert.
 The greatest obstacle we had to con- tend against was the pilot engine. We 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 the 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 Hateful night was dark and stormy, which favored our purpose. Disguised as railway laborers at a village in the vicinity, and having previously conceal ed our tools near the bridge, we made for the scene of our enterprise. Ensconcing ourselves within the shadow of the para pet, we waited for the pilot engine to 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 the selected spot and con- mence to withdraw the bolts. While thus engaged my companion with bloodcurdEng 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-?" I started and dropped my rail in my excitement. My boys master" I gasped, and he never travels without him."
 "So much the worse 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 thought), and with them my own flesh and blood. I nearly swooned as the awful revelation burst upon me, but in a moment l 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 l 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 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 knife, the glitter of which as he closed with me saw just in time | through the darkness.
 As we struggled the roar of the ap- preaching train was heard in the dis tance. Making frantic effort, as the | train was close upon us, 1 managed to | throw Scraggs off. He fell across the | off rail. With rush and roar the royal \ train swept safely over the bridge, while \ a Sbriel from me for his fate as fell in a faint against the stonework of the bridge.
 | I 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 last glance at the remains of Scraggs fled from the spot. Unsuspect- ed, 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 | alreauy RnOWn 10 them, ana nlde as might I knew their hand would ulti- mately reach me. My money exhaust ed, 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. l 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 a verdict of 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 it's members
 scattered. 1 feel now that shall escape
 them after all, but I shall die happy
 knowing that my boys future is as
 sured, and tbat he will never know q
 was convicted under false name) how