The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-07-11
have to face presently, when Toop ex-

~ AoA
Hand me that chisel, there, for a
screwdriver." - =
quite as excited as Toop, l looked on
With GREATNESS attention as he drew
out the screws. Giving n smart tap to
the trunk, the false bottom gave way,
and we both uttered a sharp exclama.
ton. There lay part of the spoils Of
the robbery.
DO you remain here, Toop," I said,
after we had congratulated one am
other; II shall walk over to the bridge,
and when he returns from the river I
shall follow him in here and arrest
him when he gets inside.'
l told Pately of u success. The
good fellow was wonderfully excited,
and would have had me go and arrest
him that minute.
Shortly after 1 he came up from the
liver on his way to lunch. 1 stepped
up to him as he reached the inn door.
LEO Valli," 1 said, 'you are my pris-
oner. Here is my warrant" and l laid
hold of him.
Pately came up and took his other
arm: but he was too dumbfounded to
cSSer resistance, and stood staring in
ludicrous surprise. At last he con-
trolled himself and asked the meaning
OF it. He tried to laugh, and said we
had made a great mistake, for which I
should have to pay dearly.
Our prisoner resigned himself very
quietly. Let me have a glass of whis-
ky" he said, "and, tell me, has Pardon
been taken?"
"No," 1 said; "but we are sure to
have him in a few days. If you will
tell us where he may be found it will
stand in your favor"
A smile crossed our prisoners face,
but he said nothing, and I sent loop to
get the whisky.
Valli was now very cheerful. and
was drinking our health when the door
opened and the other angler walked in,
with an air Of easy confidence.
ooh, good morning, ALL" he said, in a
tone of great good-humor. you've
nabbed him, 1 e {. Really, superin-
tendent, I'm bound to congratulate you
on a very smart capture, and you must
not think l mean 1t in any ill-will if /
say 1 wished you had been a few hours
later. But; at any rate, you have re-
deemed the whole character of the pro-
vincial police in my eyes"
We stared at the nal in complete be
wilderment. 81 am sorry" I said, "but
really I do not understand you"
'"No?" he said, with the same air of
easy confidence, 'then I must congrat-
ulate myself, also, on having played
my part with credit. Let me introduce
myself, superintendent. 1 have been
masquerading here the last two days
in the character of Mr.. Roberts, a Biz
mingham gentleman with a penchant
for fishing. The truth is, l have been
angling for the fish you have so credit
ably hooked-Leo Valli. 1 am Robert
Featherstone, of the detective depart
ment. Scotland Yard, at your service"
I was so astonished that I could not
say a word, but our prisoner broke IN
to a fury. "And SO, you scoundrel, all
your goodfellowship down by the river
was only to entrap me? .You-you
bloodhound!"
"Just so," said the detective, with
the greatest good-humor "You are q
sly old fox, Valli, and a bloodhound is
needed to hunt you. But 1 never
dreamt my friends here We're on your
track. They have robbed me of my
triumph, but they thoroughly deserve
all the credit.
1--WE have something more,".I said,
and Toop lifted up the false bottom of
the trunk and disclosed the stones.
MAN alive!' he exclaimed. "you do
not mean to say you have these, too!
1 thought Pardon lad the swag with
him. Well done, indeed"
-. He listened eagerly as l told him our
story, and we could not help feeling
proud at the compliments he showered
upon us. 1t was something to merit
the encomiums of q Scotland Yard de-
tectiye.
"I'll tell you what had better be
done" he said. after a moments 81
lence. You shall drive us into Bir-
mingham, and I'll take valli on from
there. 1t is hardly worth while your
coming to town this afternoon. as you
will have to come in a day Or tWo to
give evidence. You win have q letter
from the chief that will make you
proud. But. stay! l have not shown
authority" and he produced n
memorandum, on official paper. signed
by the chief. requesting the police. gen
erally to render him any aid he might
require.
We arrived at the station some twen-
tv minutes before the train was due,
and, at the detectives suggestion, we
went towards n waiting room. We
were making our way along the plat
form when a woman. dressed in the
height of fashion-though rather gaud-
iiy. 1 thought-came hurrying up to us
in great excitement.
"Good heavens. Leo!" she cried have
they taken both of you; You silly
F%eatherstone turned IN her. red with
anger. ''Stand out of my way, wo-
manw he said. "What do'you mean?
TGis is my prisoner. What do you
know of hin? ?"
She comprehended us all in n briet
glance. give made a mistake. l see,
sir; 1 thought your prisoner was
friend of mine."
you may find yourself with him"
The woman gave another look and
wcnt.away with0ut.a word. A minute
later 1 left them, saying l YOU speak
to the station master aboutia reserved
carriage. -
uneasy. The idea came to me to go to
london by this same train and observe
Ireatherstone's proceedings.
J photographed to Eueton for the po-
lice to meet the train, and then, hav-
ING made arrangements with the sta
tlon Inspector, I went back to Feather
II am sorry to say you cannot have
n reserved carriage" l said. "and I
am compelled to leave you NJ once:
one of our magistrates a JUST 1ouno