The Opelousas courier., 1897-06-19

Some few days had elapsed. 1t was
past midnight, and 1 was just think
ing of retiring, being the only one
up in the house, when q knock came
to the door. l carefully withdrew the
bolt and latch. A man with his coat
collar turned up, a muller over his
face, and a hat slouched down over his
ayes dashed in, almost knocking me
down. For a moment [ was staggered,
and then made a rush for the in
truder.
"aushl For heavens sake shut the
door!"
1t was Rudge! I shut and bolted
the door.
"What do you want?"
"Let me come into your study,
please"
I took him there, and he threw him
self into a chair, exclaiming:
"I'm o hunted man. For the sake
OF our friendship, don't betray me. /
swear I'm innocent"
"What's the matter, Rudge?"
"Marsworthi Forgery and embez-
clement"
I bean to see daylight.
"What, has he turned out a fraud?"
"Yes; and worse than that. I'm In
it, too. There's a warrant out against
me-"
The poor fellow began to sob Bit
terry, and by degrees it all came out.
Marsworth had used him and the other
man as tools, neither OF them having
the slightest idea what was really hap
pening. Marsworth had known that
the crash must come, and had pro-
vided for it. He was nowhere to be
found. The other man had been ar.
rested, and Ridge had escaped by the
skin Of his teeth and come to me. I
saw he was more sinned against than
SHINING, and I gave him nv solemn
promise that I would assist himjn es-
Gaping out of the country. The poor
fellow had been honest about it, and
had actually sent the hundred pounds
to the Public Prosecutor, having, he
told me, some e37 left out of the EGO
he had received for the now worthless
shares, and with which he determined
to get to America, feeling sure the
friend who had bought them would
not grudge the money.
"But," said T., ''you'll never get
abroad. "They'Il look for you at the
docks sooner than anywhere. Be-
you're not easily disguised"
"That's true, "he said "and they've
got my photo, I'm afraid"
Ridge had a very striking profile,
his nose being a most prominent fea-
"Look here" I exclaimed; "your
best plan is to make for the Cont
nent. How about going to Antwerp
or Holland, and getting q passage to
America on q North German Lloyd?"
"Ah, that's a good thought. Well
decide to morrow"
I gave him a shake-down for the
and kept him concealed in my
next day. taking in his meals
myself. He wrote a letter to his
fiance, whom I promised to see next
day, and then we decided that he
take the $50 p. m. train from
street to Harwich. He
shaved off his mustache and stained
eyebrows, and I managed to get
him a black wig. But nothing suficed
that profile of his, and I warned
him to beware of exposing his face
too much. Ialso managed to rig him
out in some other clothes, and l gave
him y bag and sundry requisites.
"Now," said, 81 shall come down
and see you of, SO that I can 20 and
tell Miss Saunders you are safe. But
as soon as we get to Liverpool street
we'll separate. Do not take any
further notice of me. Go first class
only a few shillings more; get
the carriage at once and sit on the
further side, reading a newspaper I'M.
til the train starts"
He promised to observe all these
precautions carefully, and in due time
| found myself hanging about the
Iatform at Liverpool street, appar.
ensE studying the boat train, but
reatlsi keeping my eyes fixed on a par
compartment wherein sat
As luck would have it there
were few passengers that evening and
he nad thu compartment to himself.
The whistle sounded, the train began
70 move out of the station, and I was
,ongratulating myself that all had
gone we'll, when I saw Ridge deliber-
change his seat for the one
nearest the platform, exposing his
profile as he did SO. At the same in
slant a tall, we'll dressed individual,
had been lounging about the
platform. made a rush for the car.
.iage. Ridge, catching sight of him,
back.
"Stand away there!" shouted a
catching a man by the arm,
ust as he was about to board the
rain.
"You fool!" cried the man, "I'm
police officer. I should have nabbed
lin if it hadn't been for YOU"
very sorry, SIR" said the porter.
But you can telegraph"
"Ihank you for nothing" said the
detective, as he turned and rushed to
he telegraph Office.
where will they catch him?"
porter.
AT Harwick, sir. The train doesn't
top till then"
I went to see Miss Saunders next
aorning, Introducing myself as
Judges friend, and found her quite
roken.hesrted. and yet Just q little
" hopeful ct the idea that be had