Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-11-11

however, did not put in an appearance.
After waiting some time, Phineas re-
entered the house and reared his duck
gun up in the hall in conspicuous posi-
ton.
He had almost decided to run up to
town and consult his brother John, the
detective, with view to having the
movements of Herr Schmidt watched,
when he was startled by the click of the
letter box.
A scrap of paper lay on the mat. Pick
deadly pale, then hurried into the gar
den. Scrubbed in lead pencil on dirty
paper was the following:
Peel has discovered everything. We
have not moment to lose and must
clear out tonight. The front door is
unsafe. Will meet you at the back
1920 sharp
Good gracious!' calculated Phineas,
after reading the note for the third time.
Oh, yes, Mr.. Schmidt he added grimly,
III meet you at 1880 sharp
It was about 1915, and raining heavi-
ly. Phineas Peel, seated on a wall over
looking the back of Rhyd cottage, with
his duck gun laid across his knees, was
beginning to feel uncomfortable.
'"The note said 10:30." he muttered.
at must be after that time now. What's
that?"
Phineas'h had caught the sound of heavy
feet moving cautiously over the gravel.
He grasped his gun and peered into the
gloom but could distinguish nothing.
Suddenly he heard voices. evidently at
the front of the house. He was about
to quit his position under the impression
that Herr Schmidt was leaving by the
front door after all, when one of the
windows was cautiously raised and the
1.-the form of the naturalist dropped light
ly to the ground.
Creeping along the side of the wall on
which Phineas lay, he presented an cx-
cellent mark. Mr.. Peel, however, could
not bring himself to shoot a man down
in cold blood. He would give him
chance.
"Stop, you scoundrelr' he shouted
The effect of the challenge was scarce
" what Phineas had anticipated. Herr
Schmidt darted forward and seized the
barrel of the gun.
He was much the stronger of the two,
and Phineas was pulled from the wall
his back on the gravel, in a half-dazed
condition, he saw the tall form of
Schmidt standing over him with the
gun raised.
Keep your tongue still, you fool" he
Missed, "or I'll brain you. Now, quick.
ueIh NE over Jne wall.
Phineas hesitated but the threatening
attitude of the other induced him to rise
However, he had no intention of giving
in.
Obeying his instructions, he caught
hold OF Schmidts foot to give him "a leg
up. Before the naturalist could grip
the top of the wall, however Phineas
saw his opportunity.
Bracing himself for the effort. he ex-
erted all his strength and pulled Schmidt
bodily from the wall. He fell fiat on
his face, and before he could recover
himself, Phlneas jumped on his back and
seized him round the throat. emitting Il
yell that would have done infinite credit
to a Sioux Indian.
The next moment Phineas was dragged
off from behind and found himself in the
clutches of burly member of the local
police force.
-Four or five others seized Schmidt. who
struggled in vain to free himself
What am [ arrested for?" gasped
PhlneaS. There's your mani"
Phineas would no doubt have been led
off with the other prisoner but for the
timely arrival on the scene of the last
person in the world he had expected to
see-his brother Johnl
Here, what on earth is the meaning
of all this? he demanded when, as the
result of John PeeFs interference, he
found himself free
JOhn stayed Denlnd minute or two to
explain that Herr Schmidt, the NATURAL
list" and Edward Harper-the notorious
forger who had defed New Scotland
Yard for the past six weeks, were one
and the same.
cit was a smart dodge of Harper's,"
said John Peel, land he might have got
clear away but for that clever wife Of
yours, Phineas. Mary suspected the
man from the first, and supplied me from
time to time with valuable information
1t is to her entirely that the credit of
the capture is due. Tell her I'll call
round and thank her myself tomorrow
Ry-the-by, the gang of which he was
the head got wind of our intentions. and
a man was despatched with a warning.
Harper doesn't appear to have received
j..
Then Phineas began to understand
things a little more clearly.
L suppose this will be it, he re-
marked, producing the note and handing
it to his brother. ''You see, the messen-
ger left it at the wrong door, and Ter
| thought / might as well see the fun
For some little time after Phineas was
of the opinion that be had made a fool
of himself. Lately, however, he has tax
en- different view of the matter, and is
never tired of relating how he literally
dropped on" Harper. the forger, alias
Schmidt, the naturalist, next door.-Cas-
colPc Saturday Journal