The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-03-06
on EVEN TERMS.

that ever stepped. KING OF the ooii-
ers he is rightly named; but il is chief
ly because he is at the head of a dan
gerous gang. And because, 10y lucky
chance, YOU have found out that he Is
living in private lodgings under an a.
suned name, makes it none the less
risky for US two alone To attempt his
capture"
ii was in a decidedly dissatisfied
tone that Mr.. Roche, the detective.
urged upon his superior officer the haz-
arlous nature of the business they
were upon; but Arnold Bond merely
smiled good humoredly as he re-
sponded:
Whatever risk there may be, Roche,
think / shall face it. And a. | ex-
pect To take our man entirely 10y sur
prise, in the very bosom Of his family,
/ don't anticipate much resistance.
Still, | am prepared for it, and don't
think that he will easily give us the
slip. For the Test, you simply carry
out my instructions"
The two detectives knocked at the
door of an unpretentious looking house
in a quiet street of the east end of
London.
Almost Immediately, a respectable
looking woman opened the door, and
stepping back, said, before Bond could
speak:
.'Ah, sir. I don't believe they eN-
pected YOU again tonight: but it's well
you've come, for the poor mite is very
bad, they say
With the ever ready wit of a shrewd
detective, quick to take advantage of
the slightest error, Bond instantly
checked the exclamation of surprise
which sprang instinctively to his lips,
and, stepping in, quietly Observed:
Indeed, | ann sorry To hear that.
Oar usual friend could not come him
self, but, as his partner, | thought it
advisable 10 look in again. Let me
see-Mrs. Sutton, second floor, is it
noto''
Neither of the detectives scarce ven
tured to breathe a. they anXiously wait
ed TO see the result Of this rather hap
hazard remark.
'-Oh, | took you for DIR. Dalton his
self, sir! Yes, second floor. It's rather
dark, but [ daresay you can find your
way up. LORI I never knowed before
a. the Dr. had partner.
''This gentleman is merely a friend
of mine. If you don't mind, he will
wait for me in the passage. L don't
suppose | shall be gone many minutes,
Bond said, inwardiy chuckling with
satisfaction at the lucky mistake which
had undoubtedly saved him and his
companion no little trouble al the out
set.
Leaving his subordinate-who had
previols..y received careful instructions
Arnold Bond, with heart beating a
little faster than usual, cautiously
mounted the dark, narrow staircase
and tapped at closed door facing
him.
Then, without waiting for any re-
ply he instantly opened it, and rs
quickly stepped into the room and shut
the door after him again.
Surrender yourself my prisoner,
Michael Vaughn, alias Ralph Sutton"
he said, sternly, as a tall, bearded man
sprang hastily to his feet with start
led exclamation, and confronted him.
\ momentary pause; then, with an
oath, the coineT snatched up a chair,
and raising it above his head, was
about TO iurl il AT the detective; but "a
quickly dropped il a his eye rested on
the revolver steadily leveled at him.
"Trappedr' lac calculated, savagely,
glaring at the officer. ''And in this
tom fool fashion, too. But there's
treachery here he added, fiercely, land
if 1
Michael, Michael" interposed a
woman's voice, in pleading tones, |
your forgetting poor little jess. You
know the doctor said she must be kept |
perfectly quiet"
''Ah, jess poor mite" said the |
coiner. No wonder 1 forget every
thing, when Bond himself jumped up
before me like magic. Well, I'm
fairly nabbed, but if it wasn't for her.
he added, with a bitter emphasis, point
.. -, I.
you'd never take me in this squeam- |
ish fashion"
The bed was occupied by little girl |
of about six years of age, who, il need |
ed no second glance TO perceive was
very near to death. She was wide |
awake staring in mute terror from the 1
detective to her father and back again.
Nor did the white face of the coinsr's
wife, who stood trembling by the bed
side, express much less alarm than the
child's.
Lets clear out before you frighten
my young 'un 10 DEATH" said the
coiner, in a queer voice. Never mind
Jess" he went on, turning TO the child
and speaking in such tender and
soothing tone that Bond stared with
astonishment. Perhaps soon, | shall
come back, and then you'll be better,
and we will"
Naughin's voice faltered, and he
paused.
"Ah, take him away, sir, but don't
hurry him over what he very well
knows must be the last goodby he'll
ever say TO his child! What hope there
may have been you'll take with you
but Ia take il at this moment
The wretched mother, unable 10 ar
ticulate another word, sank into
chair, hid her face in her hands, and
gave way TO a sudden outburst of grief.
''Is the gentleman going to take you
away, then, daddy?" the child asked.
Eh, don't go, do so want you to-
night" Then looking at the detect
ave with great, earnest eyes, little jess
half Indignantly, half pa
thctically: ''How would your little
girl like you to be taken away if she
was i'll, and wanted you 10 stay with
her dreadfully bad?n
An involuntary smile gathered for /
one brief instOnt on the stern counte-
nance of Bond.