, 1898-07-09
A CLEVER RUSE.

A CLEVER RUSE.
I had gone of duty one day and wal
sitting comfortably at home discussing
a pipe Of tobacco and the evening paper
when there came a gentleman to the
door asking If Mr.. Robson was in
that's me. sir. AS we weren't usually
favored with over many visitors I had
been sitting in my shirt sleeves, and
only just had time to slip on my coat
and make myself a little more present.
able before the wife showed him in.
GOOD evening, Mr.. Robson" he
said when she had gone out again and
closed the door. "You drive the midday
express from st. Pancras as far as
Leicester, don't you-the famous Paris
exhibition engine, if I remember right.
ly2"
Correct in both particulars, SIR" ]
replied, wondering what this beginning
would lead up to.
"She's q good engine. Mr.. Robson?"
mot q doubt about that, sir"
"To say nothing Of her driver, chr"
he rejoined, with a laugh. He was a
pleasant looking, youngish man, and
dressed in a fashion which said plainly
that he was we'll to do. "What, now,
do lou think she could do in the way Of
speed at q pinch, MI. Robson?"
well, that's a difficult question.
You see IL all depends on the circum-
stances"
"Quite 30, quote 30. I suppose,
though. you could manage 60 miles an
hour?'
"Well-possibly. but it all depends,
as I said before"
He could zee that I was not inclined
to discuss the question and changed the
subject.
"Ahi Well. I mustn't take up your
time with idle questions. Let's come to
business. You're not q rich man, Mr..
Robson, and l dare say a couple Of GlO
notes would be acceptable"
ITO nobody more 80, sir. if they're to
be come by honestly"
Good; that's how I like to hear a
man speak. What I called to see you
about is this: l have to go down to Liv-
erpool by tho midday tomorrow, but for
certain reasons I'm anxious not to be
seen at st. Pancras. You see I'm frank
with you. Now, this is what I have to
propose: Pull the train up for a minute
at some quiet little spot where l can
join it unobserved-say Hendon-and
those two 'tenners' that l spoke Of ore
yours. Eth? What do you say?"
Sorry, sir. but it can't be done. The
bribe's tempting enough, but
Cant is a word that I never en-
ploy, Mr.. Robson. Suppose we say ESQ.
When Kaloczs him ahem-l
didn't intend that, but there, the cats
out of the bag now. Yes, you needn't
look 80 astonished. I'm Kaloczsky. Now
you know why l wish to leave London
quietly. Come, shall we say ESQ and
e10 for the guardT" l shook my head
"No7 Fifty, then2 I'm prepared to pay
Handsomely, you see, he added, evil
IDENTIFY believing my hesitation to DO a
matter Of cupidity.
"No, SIR. It's no good Fifty pounds
10 ESQ to me, goodness only knows,
but the things impossible. No, it's no
use your pressing me. I won't do it.
and that's ~flat,"I said. bringing my
fist down ON the table with an emphatic
thump.
He seemed considerably crestfallen at
my refusal and walked up and down
the room several times, muttering to
himself. caught such expressions as
"oonfoundedly awkward-must catch
that boat-impossible to leave before
49," and then suddenly he seemed to
reoollect himself and ~apologized.
Pardon my stupidity, Mr.. Robson
! forgot for the moment. Look here,
you're q man Of discretion. II you can't
do that other little favor for me-, at any
rate You can hold your tongue" l felt
ascrap Of paper placed in my hand. and
. second later he had opened the door
aud gone. f.
It happened 20 quickly that I had no
time to shy anything lsaw that It was
q e1O pound note ! held. This then,
was the price Of my silence. but l felt
far from comfortable about It. Proba-
bly, you reoollect the Kaloczsky series Of
robberies. At any rate, you must have
heard Of them at the time. l had-ev-
erybody had-and tho latest Of all was
the most daring, II barefaced capture
in broad daylight Of a lot Of bonds and
valuable securities on their way to the
Bank Of England.
Plainly my duty was 10 inform the au-
thorities, and speedily, too, II ! wished
the information to be Of any service !
put my hat on straieht away and hur-
ried 10 the nearest police station, and
when ! bad got rid Of my tale ! besath-
cd aSnin more fresly.
When ] gos down 10 the shed next
day 20 look over my engine before start
ing out, I found q defective bolt In one
Of the rods II Wa not . big thing to
repair, hut IL would take just long
enough TO prevent ~ from being ready
10 wuek sbe midday. and 70 I should not
re the arrest Of Kalocssky after all.
gueaed that tho detectives would be
with the tzNin, On the lockout you see.
n Twas saants ! hadn't noticed - aaw
Whsn we PIT ~ engine away The pre-.
vious nagkey bat thees II Wa nowsuu-
Visakahly.
TheEe W. noeAing bit 10 report bow
na1tses secuA 10 NJ. Welbuxn, tAs ~
HAaR amAGm