San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-06-23
CHAPTER X


ion away some nights before. Then
hurried down the street as far as was
prudent. At the first turn Ipaused, still
playing my part of vagrant so well
that was sure no suspicion would at
tach to me.
was certain now Of being able to
trace the carriage portion if not the
whole distance.
Darius Howard seemed to be in haste,
for the cab ratified off at lively pace.
1t wheeled abruptly at my corner and
sped down the avenue toward the open
country, with me following as fast as if
not faster than was discreet If could
see where the next turn was made, the
chance of success was fair.
The autumn light was closing in.
The street lamps were lit and shining
from the houses on the right and left,
and in few minutes the vehicle was
beyond sight Two other cabs passed
me while was hurrying on, and few
hundred yards out came to forking
of the ways. stopped, for there was
no means of knowing the right course
But for the fact that several vehicles
had followed the one had in mind
might have found the clew by examin.
ing the roadway, hut that aid was not
at my command.
Since guess was Inevitable, turned
to the right and broke into lope, with
eyes and ears alert was now in the
trxv I'D
the night was studded with stars, which
were ny only guide. They showed me
objects at distance Of few rods, but
nowhere was a carriage in sight
Suddenly the form Of a man doomed
up in front. He was coming toward me,
and / dropped to Q walk, so as not to
excite his suspicion. He advanced
briskly and only gave me a glance az
we met and separated without greeting
AS soon as twas prudent ! resumed my
lope.
But abruptly dropped to walk at
the sound Of carriage wheels, approach
ing from the front.
This may be my man," | thought
as noted that the cab was similar to
those that had been waiting at the sta.
ton. The single horse was trotting, and
the Outlines Of the driver showed clearly
on his perch.
was in the middle of the road and
turned out barely enosgh to let him
pass with the wheels almost grazing my
hips, This gave me the best view posi-
BILE in the gloom Of the driver. and l was
almost positive that he was the one who
had taken Howard from the railway
station. ------~-------~~.-'
why don't you keep ont of the
wayt" he roughly demanded, bringing
his whip down about my shoulders. 1T
would serve you right torun over you. "
was so angered that whipped out
my revolver and discharged -pne barrel
The bullet passed close to E1s head, but
l took care that it should not hit him.
With an exclamation of alright, he
whipped up his horse, leaning forward
to avoid my next shot, and speedily van
ished in the gloom.
Zone of the penalties of my charac-
ter, l reflected, showing the weapon
back in place. He considers me fair
game, forgetting that the crushed worm
may turn. "
twas chance for scientific reasoning,
When the cabman passed me at first,
his animal was going on smart trot,
which was probably maintained until
he reached his destination. The time be-
tween his passing and meeting ME, pro-
vided his pace had been kept up, was
sufficient for him to go, say, half mile.
Therefore the house was seeking was
a quarter of a mile distant.
There was liable to be flaw in this
logic for he might have varied his
speed or remained awhile at the place
where his passenger alighted. A variar
ton Of ten minutes either way would
throw my calculations out of alignment
Furthermore, the residences were so
numerous that they were continually
appearing on my right and left, and 1t
was. likely that | would stop short or
pass beyond the right one.
The only construction to be put upon
these stealthy visits of the Towards was
that they and perhaps Others were ell
gagged in criminal business Else why
their watchfulness against espionage?
might speculate for days as to the
nature of that business and be none the
wiser chung to only one conclusion
1t had to do in some way with the THEFT
of the Mana Sahib ruby
Clear on this point, il was fair to sup
pose that in coming to this courtIy
place they would seek some secluded
building, with tho danger of detection
at the minimum. Consequently it was
idle to fix attention upon any of the
new. fine looking houses near the high
way The one where they stopped was
back some way from the road and had
no occupants except such as were nee
essary to look after it.
slackened my pace when confident
of being near where the cab had left its
passenger and turned back. was peer
ing to the right and left in the gloom |
when | exclaimed in an 'unde-tone:
"Eurellal / have found itp'
1t was the very spot had in mind.