Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-02-10

pursuance OF my plan. an ARRANGEMENT
was made that the $500 in bank notes
should be paid TO them at certain ad-
dress in Garden Court Temple, three
evenings later, on their handing over
the letters. The address given was that
of nav cham bers; the three days were re-
ouired TO raise the money. and further,
for the purpose of giving me time TO
complete some preparations had 10
make myself. The address they gave
was one in Westminster, in case any
furthec communication with them
should be necessary, which was not all
likely.
1t was in the afternoon Of November
day when l sat expecting this two black
mailers. 1t had been dark all day, for
heavy fog hvng over the city. 1t was
five o'clock when they were to come,
and already the occupants OF the ad-
Joining chambers had left for their re-
sDective homes, and ! had sent away
nv clerk. But for two men who were
in the room next to mine the Wnole
suite seemed deserted.
They were pnnctual, as was TO be ex-
pected, for they were abovt to reap the
fruits OF the complete success OF their
nefarious scheme. Tho letters were
produced, Mayer holding them In hls
hand, while | satisfied moself that they
were such as had been described 10 me,
and that they were originals, not copies,
for | had no faith to put In either OF
the men before me.
"Fiye hundred pounds is the amount
agreed on" suggested Mayer.
Much less than Mr.. Graydon really
owes me-" whined the other, whose
dusky face was blue and his teeth chat
tering with the unaccustomed cold
eyes; here is the money; hand over
the letters" 1 said.
"You will be kind enough to indorse
each Of the notes?' Mayer asked, as he
held up one between him and the gas
light. He was suspicious OF something,
l could see by his manner. His
house was OF glass of the
most brittle kind. | endorsed them
for him. He inquired after Mr.
Charles Graydon. l told him CURLY that
/ had never seen him since had
learned of this affair. and that was
acting in the interests solely OF his
mother and sister. Nothing further Was
added. ! begged to be excused Tor
moment,as they proceeded 10 stow away
the notes 10 an old pocketoook Mayer
produced from his breast pocket.
MY clerk has gone, | said, with an
air of annoyance, or my return TO the
room, land my letters unpostes.
heard the TWO men in the next room
leave, and made haste to dismiss my
unwelcome visitors, for their presence
was almost too much for my equanlmity.
I followed them down stairs, and turned
up Middle Temple lane. They went down
toward the gate leading ont on TO the
Embankment, course l was pretty
sure they would take. | saw that two
silent figures vera following them, but
otherwise the Temple was as void OF
signs of life as Salisbury Plain. Then l
retraced my steps, and, standing at the
gate have mentioned, listened anxious
ly. l heard loud and angry words, as
OF men in a dispute, q sound as or scut-
ding, followed by blow, and then some
footsteps Ia retreat
Are you hurt?" asked voice, which
I recognized as Tayor's.
"He has broken my collar bone, l be-
lieve. Who were they? Halloa, my
pocketbook's gone Police! Murder"
had heard enough, and l returned
to my room. Five minutes later had
the rescued notes brought to me by the
man who had been in the next room.
The scheme had come off without a
hitch, but IL was a risky one, as | have
said. 1t was fortunate that Mayer had
not had time 20 take the numbers OF
the notes. Endorsed as they were, they
REQUIRED carefui negotiation, for there
was a police hue aud cry over the mat
ter, and I had ultimately the satiSfac-
ton of restoring their full value TO their
rishtfui o@ner.-Tt-Bits.