Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-01
NEVER AGAIN"

NEVER AGAIN."
Why did I ever rush into print as the
apparent champion of anarchism and
bombs? Why did subsequently attempt
to repudiate the insinuation and try to
throw ridicu1e on the Russian and Lon
don police? Why, after my recent dis
comfiture over that dog license business,
do 1 appear again before the public?
"Conceit," I think I hear you say,
"mere vanity and a morbid thirst after
notoriety." 1t may be SO, but just at
present I am constrained to admit that
these are not the feelings which pre-
dominate in my bosom. On the contrary,
I feel sufficiently humble to apologize
for my very existence and am only
driven to my present course by the feel
ing that recital of my latest expert
ence may prove a warning to those of
my fellow creatures who, by persisting
in reckless waste of ink, hope to at
tain to fame.
How was to know there was real
Inspector Belville at Scotland Yard?
And-but, there, had better begin at
the beginning. 1t was about week aft
er the appearance in prominent jour-
nal of my tale, describing our attempt
Il refer to brother George and myself
to personate couple of designing an
archists, and the subsequent recoil of
the scheme on our own heads, that I sat
meditating in my rooms. George and
the terrier, the cause Of all the trouble,
were out for a stroll. was revolving
in my mind the CHASTITY failure of that
silly enterprise, and wondering whether
I should ever meet that inspector Of dog
licenses again, when heard knock at
the door.
My worthy landlady soon appeared
with neatly engraved card, bearing
the following legend: ''John Belville,
Inspector, H. NJ Criminal Investiga-
ton Department., Scotland Yard, S. W. -
'JehosophatP' family mur1nured,
''here's nice affair. This is the genu-
inc article, and I am lost man." You
will observe my nerves had not yet re-
covered from the recent shock they had
sustained, therefore, when the owner Of
the card entered the room, I must, to
put it mildly, have looked disconnected
'Er-sit down, inspector. Glad to
see you, I'm sure-unexpected honor.
Anything can do for your" concluded,
with miserable attempt at light heart
edness.
Memories of the aspersions had, in
my story, cast upon the officer Of this
name (then only existing in my imagi-
nation) crowded in upon me, and felt
exceedingly low as the representative of
the law took the chair indicated.
"You were perhaps not altogether un-
prepared for my visit, Mr.. Timbs-Mr.
Reginald Timbs?" queried the inspector
impressively, and felt his eyes look
ing through me.
"Well," replied, somewhat nerv-
ously, 81 can't say that expected you,
because-no offense intended, inspector
Il had no idea that Scotland Yard was
happy in the possession Of the profess
sional services of a gentleman Of your
name"
''Then how came you, sir, may ask,
to make mention in this widely read
periodical land here he held out the
familiar green cover-"of my name:"
"That's easily explained, said. 81
invented it. -
EDO you seriously expect me to be-
lieve that?" rejoined the august official.
'Have I been connected with the yard
for five and twenty years, and we'll be-
fore the public nearly the whole Of that
time, and then to be told that John Bel
vile is not known" and the worthy in
spector began to get warm.
"Well, can only assure you," re-
piled.
Assurance" interrupted the little
man, for he was not of an imposing
height. II dare say you have plenty of
that, but it won't do for me. No, sir,
it. spells damages in my case
eyes, but look here, you know, - said
I, returning to the charge, ''it's no
affair Of mine. Ihad no idea you existed
in the flesh; but, in any case, it seems
to me your remedy is against the pub
Usher of the paper. I don't pretend to
be we'll up in the law of libel" con-
tinued, ''but I have always understood
the paper is responsible. Hadn't you
better see Tit-aheml the proprietors Of
the weekly which has taken your name
in vain? I understand they kept fight
ing editor on the premises for such
cases. -
Here I smiled a wintry smile and felt
rather better.
Il don't want to be instructed in the
law, thank you,'' was the lofty reply.
II know what | am about 1t is quite a
different matter when your name app
pears as the author, and that you will
find out presently. However, that mat
ter may keep. I have another and much
more important reason for calling, 80 and
here the inspector coughed ominously.
My spirits dropped again, and I ex-
perienced slight return of the Siberian
chain gang feeling.
1.-THE department considers, Presumed
the inspector, that a man who seems
to be SO we'll posted i'll the ways and do
ings of the anarchists ought not to be
AOSu VI, anu y 10 DGCu dCputSN
to report on the matter. Now, might
easily have come while you were at
business in the city, and, armed with a
search warrant, have turned the house
upside down, but the authorities, in
such cases, prefer to work quietly. So
in spite Of the liberties you have taken
with the department in general. and my
self in particular, tell you our suspi
cions candidly and look to you to refute
them to my satisfaction.
eff you prefer the other course, re-
turn for warrant, but warn you that
you will not be allowed to leave the
house, and public examination will bs
the result. At present all I wish you to
do is to let me have good look round
your rooms. If you object, you will find
have the orthodox four wheeler and
assistance at my call, F" and the inspect
or smiled grimly.
''Rather nasty hit at my remarks
on the tameness Of my supposed arrest
by his namesake, the dog license man,"
I thought, but stepped to the window,