The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-03-04

sec how you can possibly do the trick"
"You put your money on me-" lie re-
turned smilingly, as he gripped my
hand, and retired to the end of the
tender with Deval.
We had left Stafford behind some
time since, and if nothing happened
should run into Crewe in another twen-
ty-flve minutes or so. Having 20 do
Bills work as well as control the en-
gine, l had my hands pretty full and
during the next ten minutes WAS fully
occupied. At the end of that time Bill
rejoined me, and threw open the fur
mace doors once more. l looked around
the engine. Deval had disappeared!
Not a vestige or sign of his visit re-
mained, but Bills pocket bulged con-
siderably, and his grimy face was ex-
panded in broad grin.
A few minutes later we slowed up at
our destination for the night. There
they were, just as 1 had expected. One
policeman at the station gates and five
or six stationed along the platform.
Before we had quite stopped out
jumps Jobson and rushes up the train.
AS the sergeant threw open the door
of the compartment Deval had occu-
pied we saw an expression of conster-
nation cross the face of the bewildered
detective, but, quickly regaining his
composure, he superintended the ex-
animation with Il practiced eye. My
- bo1 20 cfo
we were just off to the sheds when
Jobson approac ached the engine.
"Ben," he Queried anxiously, "did
you see anything extraordinary on the
way down? I've been sold nicely, and
no mistake"
81 don't have time to see anything ex-
cept signals ahead when I'm in charge
of an express" returned, unceremo-
niously. Did you see anything, Bill?"
Cant say as I did," Bill answered
artlessly. Have you lost your man,
Mr.. Jobson:"
Il have so," replied the officer. 81
expect he dropped off somewhere"
"If he did he's a goner for certain"
said Bill. 1--WE were never under fifty
since we left Willesden.'
"I'll look along the track for him 60
ing back" remarked. "Are you 60
ing on or back with the morning mail"
81 hardly know" he returned, disap-
pointedly. "Well, thank you, anyhow.
Goodnight, or, rather, good-morning."
returned his salutation and steam
ed off to the sheds.
"What did tell yer?" said Bill, joy
ously. 1--WE drop him outside and let
him take his chance"
'Then he is ON the engineer asked,
as we pulled up.
For answer Bill got off and went to
see If the coast was clear. Returning
in five minutes, he proceeded to the
rear Of the tender and carefully lifted
up large piece Of coal. Underneath
was the head Of Deval! Bill had art
fully walled him in against the side,
and in such n manner as to defy sus-
picion, little bits being scattered about
In the most natural way possible.
Quickly he was rescued from his unJ
comfortable position, and stood UP as
black as sweep. Bill gave him drink
from his pannikin, and then conducted
him off the engine and round the back
of the sheds.
Did ever hear from him again? Oh,
yes. About two years afterward a let
ter reached me one morning from Co.
lombia, inclosing a Bank Of England
note for f100. 1t was from Deval, and
in it he told how he had succeeded in
doubling on his tracks to Birmingham,
and thence had worked down to South
ampton. in disguises, and got clear
away. He expressed the hope that Allie
and myself were happily welded, and
begged us to keep the note and give it
as q present to our first-born child
London Tit-BitS,