The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-09

ing loafers hanging about the bar eyed me
euriouslv as / entered, and when | asked
the landlord if Mr.. Hurst was in, one of
them raised a general laugh by Offering to
carry my luggage up to him.
''No larks. Bill" said the landlord
sternly MARY. show the gentleman Mr..
Hurst's ROOM"
l found Mr.. Hurst decidedly surly ras-
cal He began by grumbling at the hard
ness of the bargain | was driving with
him, and swearing at his luck generally.
Then, being perhaps emboldened by the
conciIiatory manner / thought it prudent
10 adopt, he tried to make better terms,
Offering me first $500 less, and finally
insisting that he ought at least to be al
lowed to deduct from my $4,000 the sum
had used to pay the men.
INSPECTOR Bland had allowed me quar-
ter of an hour for negotiations. At the
end of that time he proposed to make
raid upon the house.
And mind" he had said in his jOcular
way, I'VE don't find the property still in
your hands, Mr.. Corner. 1t would be a
pretty kettle of fish if we had to prosecute
you for unlawful possession, wouldn't it?''
In accordance with these instructions
haggled with Mr.. Hurst little while and
then allo wed him 10 have his way, Wnere-
upon he. having satisfied himself that tho
bag which l restored TO him still contained
his spoils. banded me $500 in what after
ward turned out TO be very creditable imi-
tations of Bank Of England notes.
Il suppose you don't want 90 receipt"
he growled
mo. thank YOU" said |, Il think we
may mutually dispense with that formal
| lty. Good morning."
turned TO leave the room IS ] spoke,
| but before | could unlock the door it was
| burst open from the outside, not. unfor-
tunateiy for me, by the police. but by the
man whom the landlord had called Bill, a
powerful ruffian, who promptly knocked
me Down and knelt upon my chest.
quick, Ben, get out of this" he cried.
us plant. No, no. The window, you
fool" he added, as Mr.. Hurst. bag in hand,
made for the door. The police are 10 the
| bar already"
AS Mr.. Hurst opened the window he
cursed me with much volubiIty and bitter
ness. ana as soon as he was outside Oh the
| leads he did worse.
"Stand clear, Bill" he cried, and his
fir end Obeyed him. l scrambled to my
feet, but Immediately dropped again with
| a bullet from Mr.. Hurst's revolver in my
shoulder.
am not at all sorry that Mr.. Hurst fired
at meas Inspector Bland says, i; was
much easier TO convict MIN of attempted
murder than to prove be actually stole
| those jewels. and the inspec or doubts,
| too, whether he would have got tlfteen
| years If merely charged with receiving
them But do wish he hadn't hit me.
however, even the pain my wound Sill
| gives me Is not without Its compensation.
1t prevents me from feeling ans twinges
of conscience when l rrhect that my fur
niture cost Mr.. Burst his liberty. for Lord
Yerbury took IL for granted that he was
the thief, and paid me the extra reward he
had offered for his apprehension.
Inspector Bland won the promotion be
coveted, add IS now stationed at LingiOn.
His wedding present was characteristic.
1t was black bag, with my initials on
timer side in white letters about six inches
long.-All the Year hound.