The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-11-22
ATTEMPTED BLACKMAIL.
An Experience in the Life of a
London Detective.
BY HERBERT RUSSELL.

tall. thin, nervous-looking man, very
sunbrunt. as though just returned from
travelling.
81 am sorry to interrupt you said
he in an agitated way, seeing that l
was busy But l desire to consult
you about little matter which has
caused me much notification
/ begged him to be seated and COM
municate his business He laid his
card upon my desk and sat down.
glanced at the name, Mr.. Montgomery
Roscoe, and the address was that of
some square in Bayswater.
Il only returned about q fortnight
since from South America" he began,
''vhere business has detained me for
over a year When / left this country
my wife remained at home with our
two children. About ten days ago
was posting some letters at the district
post Office. Whilst | was dropping them
into the box a ca drove up and stopped
abreast. A man in white hat leaned
out of the window and tried to open
the door, but the handle appeared
jammed. ] stepped forward TO assist
him; he was obliged and said that as
he was in hurry perhaps l would be
so good as to post letter for him.
He handed me the missive, then sank
back into the cab. which thereupon
ratified off. l was just in the act of
dropping the letter into the box when
my eye caugho the address upon it,
and saw 10 my surprise that it was
directed to my wife"
Mr.. Roscoe fumbled in his pockets,
and produced an envelope which he
laid upon the table.
Il need scarcely tell you that I did
not put the letter into the post. In
stead, slipped it into my pocket, car
ried it home and read it. Here it is"
continued he. pushing it towards me.
1T will explain itself better than 1
can"
Ii ran as follows:
'MADAM-I take the liberty of addressing
you on matter which must closely concern
you. l have in my possession a bundle of let
ters written to you after your marriage, by
certain gentleman of your acquaintance, am
sure you will not wish your husband to know of
their existence. That they are genuine have
ample proofs, nor do presume would you deny
their authenticity. Therefore, am writing to
offer TO sell them to you for any reasonable
sum Unless you see your way to comply,
shall deem it my duty to communicate with
your husband who, understand, Is q present
abroad. Address me at the postrostante, such
and such post Office.
"Yours obligingly.
'EGBERT UNDERHILL.''
1 replaced the letter in its envelope,
"a, oAahi,,r .ororlr
nervously meanwhile.
What do you want me to do for
you?" asked.
81 want you to take the affair in
hand, track this rascal who is attempt
ing TO levy biackmail upon my wife,
and ascertain the II ature of the charges
he has to bring-which. of course. are
groundless."
81 do not fancy he will need much
tracking" said /. You have spoken
to Y our wife?"
Certainly"
And sfe?-"
Indignantly denies the dishonorablc
imputation," he answered, hotly. ''As
for any correspondence which the i'm
pudent villain may have in his posses
sion of nature such as he would sug-
gest-well. let him produce it,
''Have you communicated with him?"
inquired.
mo. | advised my wife not to no
tice the letter. hoping that when the
fellow found his insolent demand un-
needed he would let the matter drop,
and not wishing to incur the publicity
of prosecuting him. But two days ago"
continued he, Mrs. Roscoe got his
second letter.
He passed it to me. and Tread it. The
communication ran to the following ef-
feet:
MADAM: I have received no reply to my
letter concerning certain correspondence
which hold in my possession. Unless you
speedily respond TO my demand I shall write 10
Nj Roscoe, who, hear, has returned TO Eng
land Yours obediertly.
'EGBERT UTDERHIIL."
We'll. sir, said !. Il shall be pleased
to take this little affair in hand. Mr.
Egbert Underhill is undoubtedly a
scamp, but unless he is good deal
more cunning than his method of
going to work would suggest we shall
catch him in his own trap There is an
amazing degree of nairete inthe man S
roguery."
reflected moment and then con-
timed;
Your wife must answer this last
letter Let her appoint an interview
at your house and request him to
bring this discriminating correspondence
with him. She must convey that she
wishes the whole thing kept pro-
found secret, as though fearful of its
reaching your ears.
Very we'll said AR. Roscoe. taking
his hat and rising. Il need not detain
You longer. Your instructions shall be
carried out, and will communicate with
you as soon as there is anything 20 re-
port And, wishing me good dav, he
quilted nv Office
Two days later Mr.. Roscoe came
again lie burst into the room. ex-
claiming, triumphantly:
The fellow is going TO call at my
house this very afternoon He has
written 10 say he viii be there between
three and i've and bring the letters
with him.
80 far 50 good" sald l. looking at
nv watch. We may as sseu proceed
al once TO your house. We must be
there when he arrives"
Five minutes later we were seated in
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