The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-29
A TRYING POSITION.

myself ard landlady. My bill was sadly
in arrears, and Mrs. Ringwoodic, having
passed from frowns to words and from
words to importantly, had ended with Il
peremptory demand for payment
Not being ready or having the ready
to comply with her requirement., 1 had
nothing for it but to vacate my room
and surrender my night key, the former
being wanted, 1 was given to under
stand, for Mr. O'Bosh, an old customer
Of Mrs. Ringwoodio whom she was
under Il standing promise to accommo-
date and whose arrival was hourly OK
pectcd. Mr.. O'Bosh, may here say,
was Mrs Ringwoodie's Mrs Harris, q
convenient myth, one who never came.
but was always coming when delin-
quent boarder was to be got rid Of
Lad come to tho city to be IN author,
but my efforts with the pen to scrapc
acquaintance with fame and fortune
had not proved over successful.
Down to my last dollar, with no i'm
mediate prospect of another and wearicti
with long search for cheap boarding
house whose terms were not Invariably
i'll advance" sat me down In an out OF
the way restaurant to face Il tough beef
steak and the still tougher question of
what was best to be done
a grave looking gentleman sat oppo-
site, dividing his attention between IL
bottle of wine and the evening paper.
"What bungling set these detectives
arc3 said the gentleman, whose tone
left it doubtful whether he spoke to him
self or me.
why, " he continued, answering my
look, "here's that bank robbery, nearly
a week old, yet with every clew to
guide them and the stimulus of hand
some reward sesides those who should
have been hot on the scent within an
hour still stand gaping, with their fin
gers III their mouths. Things were man.
aged differently in my day"
You were detective once" ven-
tured to surmise.
Hc nodded.
This rewards it very larger
asked.
Give thousand dollars" he an
swered, ''for the recovery of the proper
ty and capture Of the thief. -
'Twould be quick way to make
money" said I, eff one knew how to go
about it -
Would you like to go halves in max
ing the effort?'' he queried, summing
me up with Il scrutinizing glance.
Il fear should be of little service"
I returned. II have no experience in
such matters and am almost stranger
III the city,
THE very thing to render your aid
Invaluable This crime is evidently not
the work Of a novice, and TO your pro-
fessional thief every detectives face is
as familiar as pals The mere sight
of one puts the game to flight. Under
skillful guidance you could work unsus-
pected. Now, if you'll put yourself i'll
my hands for 3G hours, believe VIE can
bag tho prize. What say you--is it
bargain?"
TWAS not exactly the road to fortune
1 had set out i'll, but it looked like
shorter cut at starting. AT any rate, my
circumstances were desperate, and saw
no better chance to mend them.
81 accept your offer" said.
Come along, then" said the stran-
ger. rising, and having settled our scores
we left tho place together.
III the street he took my arm, and aft
CT u long walk through unfrequcnted by
streets my companion called halt be-
fore a sombcr looking house, into which
he admitted us with latch key. He
led the way up stairs to shabbily fur
nishcd apartment In which q dim light
was burning
We seated ourselves and my compan-
ion was beginning to unfold his plans
when knock was heard at the door
He held up his finger In token of 81
lence.
The knock was three times repeated
in peculiar manner, when my host got
up and cautiously opened tho door
A man stood outside with his hat
pulled over his eyes
Excuse me Il moment" said my
companion, stopping out and closing the
door.
heard low and earnest voices In the
passage, but only distinguished the
words: ''Train for Boston at 10. San
| Francisco train at 1880"
Soon there was sound of departing
footsteps, and the door of the room open
cd and the proprietor entered
'I've no time to explain further
now" no said 'Meet mo at the depot
in timo for the 10 O'Clock train to Bos-
ton"
'But have 10 money. answered
"Ill see to that, " he replied.
There was little time to lose, and
rose to 90.
Would you mind carrying this
satchol?" said he. Il have short stop
to make Ey the WY, besides having q
valisc TO lool: after.
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