Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-08-04

sale. | asked $50, and then and there
check was given me for the amount
j haven't cashed 1t, though, because
only obtained it so that when we cap
ture the millionaire and force him L
sign the check for us, we can compare
the same with this document and see
that the other check contains no sigr
or mark which this check does not con
tain. = Now, do you understand
my idea?"
Harris drew long breath. well
of all the long-'eaded blokes L ever come
acrost," he growled-"you're the long
'eadest. Blow me if should ave
thought O. SIGH dodge"
'"The dodge is all right" I said, mod:
estly, "but it remains to be seen how the
plan will work. We have decided tc
make cur own move on Saturday even.
ing next and to-day being Wednesday
we have three clear days in which t.
mature our plans"
Before we went to bed that night, the
preliminaries had been arranged, and ]
went to my couch 10 dream of Mr.
Brayne and his check for C 10000.
Saturday evening came in due course,
1t was dark night, and rejoiced that
there was no fog, for had such pre-
vailed, doubtless Mr.. Brayne would
have forgone his customary evening
walk. AS ii was, everything went splen'
didly. The cab, with, the faithful Peter
son on the box, was proving about tbs.
roa& while Harris and 1, dressed In
fashionable clothing so as TO evade any
suspicion on the part Of aggressive po
licemen who might chance on the scene.
hung about the millionaire's house
anxiously waiting for the moment when
he would issue forth for his accustomed
stroll.
The obliging housemaid had confded
to ME that he usually left the house al
II and returned 90 minutes past, and
sure enough, as the clocks in the neigh
borhood pealed II strokes, the gate
opened slowly, and q short, thin, old
gentleman, mufiled up in cloak and
wearing low felt hat, came out.
We waited until he was in the dark
est part of the road, and then sprang
upon him, Harris gagging him with his
handkerchief, while 1 held q chic
reformed bandage to his mouth and
nostrils.. He breathed heavily, strug-
gled little, and then fell backwards
l whistIed as a signal to Paterson tc
bring along his cab, and the two Of us
lifted the unconscious form Of the mil
lionaire into the vehicle. Not soul be-
yond ourselves had witnessed the scene.
and I must confess that lay back with
q sigh Of relief as the cab ratified away
in the direction OF London, for If any
person had happened to come down the
road at the critical moment our little
game might have died even at its birth
We said very little as the cab sped
on toward town. Harris smoked gloom.
lily, every now and again casting a
glance of satisfaction at the Fecumbent
form of the man of millions. No drive
had ever seemed so long to me as did
that Journey, and l was indeed GLAD
when we came in sight of st. Giles
and knew that at last the journey had
reached its end.
We got Brayne out OF the cub and up
stairs with very little difficulty, the
people in the house being well used
TO adventures of this kind.
When he recovered from his uncon
scious condition and had taken in the
situation, which / explained to him il
few words, he seemed wonderful calm
and composed, Doubtless it was this
GOODNESS which had enabled him t6
make the masterful strokes on tn.
stock exchange which had been the
wonder of the world, aud | was exceed.
ingly glad that his demeanor was thu:
restrained, for had he been boisterous
we might have had some bother.
'Thc first thing we require you TO do
NIr. Brayne," said 1, briskly, els &c
write a note to your people at Wimble
don saying that you met with an &C
quaintance last night during your walk
and that you went to his house to STOP
the night. If inquiries We're made re-
garding your absence 1t might preju
dice our arrangements to relieve you
Of GlO,Coo superfuous cash"
The old man without word wrote or
the paper which l handed him a briei
note to his housekeeper on the lines
had suggested. He then wrote the en-.
veiope, and, the letter having beer
placed therein, l handed it to Harris
with Instructions to send the same by
messenger al nine o'clock next morn.
ing.
"Hlre the messenger at Wimbledon
1 said; otherwise you will arouse Sus,
picion."
'I'm fly, governor" he replied. wink
ing, "yoI be: your life"
"one moment" said, addressing the
millionaire, "lf you do not happen tc
have your checkbools on you, Mr..
Brayne, I fear shall have TO trouble
You to add postscript to the letter ask
Ing for 1t to he handed to the messen-
ger"
lie smiled gravely, and must confess
I admired him for his complete self-pos-
session.
"Se: yourself at ease, my good sir"
ne said, calmly; ~ happen to have my
check book In my breast pocket. 1t is
rarely that I am without it, such are
the constant claims made aa the pocket
of modern millionaire"
"All The better" returned, land now
1t only remains for me TO ask you to be
good enough to draw up and sign the
check of which spoke to you"
Every WE'LL" he replied, q am in your
power, gentlemen, and as you are kind
enough to inform me that bullet or a
check are alternatives l certainly pre-
fer that you should have the check and
that should go without the bullet,
Give me that pen again, please."
"Cnderstand," ] said sterrly, "that