The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-01-25


not have got to the continent or on an
Atlantic liner in that time, and as all
ports were at once watched, we felt
certain his capture was only matter
os time was placed in Liverpool.
"Three days passed, and there came
message that he had been captured at
Folkcstone by my colleague, Gregson.
| was considerably chagrined, but it
turned out that there was no cause for
my jealousy. The prisoner, in spite OF
his protests, was taken to London.
where he proved that he was, as he had
declared, an English merchant residing
in Paris of the name of James. Though
he was released Immediately, with pro-
fuse apologies, he aired his grievances
to the reporters. Instantly a hubbub
was raised in the press, and the Yard
and all it's works were severely criti-
cised The result was that a conf
Genital circular was issued to us inti-
mating that, while we were not to re-
lax our vigilance, we were not to make
an arrest unless we were positive that
we had the missing Diamond.
"As / said, l was stationed at Liver
POOL to see that the runaway did not
get across to the States. l boarded
every outgoing liner and remained on
deck until the last moment, and think
every passenger passed under my scru-
tiny. Ny opinion was that Diamond
would defer any attempt at crossing for
few weeks, when the chase would be
less hot, and events proved me right.
-Four weeks all but day after his flight
1 was on the City of Madrid waiting for
the last batch of passengers by the APP
preaching tender. AS it drew alongside
NY attention was attracted by the be-
havior of an oldish-loolking man. He
looked around in furtive and appre-
hensive manner that aroused my sus-
picions, and when he gained the deck
heard him give a sigh of relief. after
| which he skunk off. To be sure, he
looked over 60 and Dramond was only
40 but then we expected he would be
disguised.
my mind was made up. II | were
gifted with any of the intuition so
necessary to my calling, there was the
missing man, and after following him
below l went to the captain, told him
my business and asked permission to
make the voyage to New York.
| Certainly, certainly said Capt.
Oldham; if you think we've got your
man on board you shall have all the
help you need
| 81 thanked him, and went below to
examine the passenger list. My sus-
picious fellow passenger was passing
under the name of Rodell.
"Thanks to the steward, my place at
table was arranged opposite to Rodell.
/ had a week in which to study him, so
the first day was very careful not to
alarm him by too close observation.
Without appearing to look at him, l
could see that he was i'll at ease, and eX
amined all his neighbors with careful
scrutiny. He spoke to no one during
dinner, and as soon as it was over he
retired. / spent n pleasant evening
myself. My left-hand neighbor was
Hon. Wilfrid Lytchett--a son of Lord
Barmore, found from peerage in the
| library. He WAS a pleasant, refined
young fellow of 81, and had none of the
| insufferable exclusivcness and reserve
of the British aristocrat. l accepted
an invitation to smoke a cigar with
him on deck after dinner, and congrat
ulated myself on having made such
pleasant acquaintance.
''The next day Rodell seemed more at
| L. .lsa1 .Hl-
safc-and l had several opportunities
for observing him. He even babe me
good morning, and remarked That we
were having good passage, rs l passed
him on the deck. During dinner he en-
tered into conversation with his neigh
Dor, and was more off his guard. But
at times he seemed to recollect himself.
and would pass his hand softly over his
beard in n peculiar manner. saw at
once what it meant. The beard was
false, and he was feeling if it were all
right. l chuckled with satisfaction;
| there would be no mistake made this
time, foresaw.
my aristocratic friend was favorite
on board, especially among the ladies,
and he was certainly very pleasant
with me. He insisted on my sharing
his wine at dinner, after which we took
a turn on deck again, when he spoke
quite freely.
"'By and by, Germaine,' he said, did
you notice that curious chap opposite,
to.hight-whatever is his name? Oh,
Rodell. If l were any judge of char
acter, should say he was doing a little
smuggling, or that he has done some
thing worse. Did You notice what sus-
picious looks he kept casting around?
Pom my word, believe the fellow
thinks he's hunted
Snow you mention it, said, Il did
| remark it
"'Wonder if he's criminal, trying to
escape. There was that fellow Ora
mend week or two ago-he must have
lodged the detectives and got across