Evening star., 1898-08-06

During the long AFTERNOON ride up the
Great Western line the two had the COM
partment all to themselves, but neither
made any attsmpt at conversation. Cen
tleman Jenn alternately smoked shag to-
bacco and slept, while Quin busted himself
with newspaper and his reflections
Through Oxford and bennington. Bir-
mingham and Shrewsbury. the express
thundered on, and 1t was nearly o'clock
when it rolled into the big, dreary station
at Chester Before the motion had ceased
Gentleman Jem was on his feet He opened
the door, stepped out and was quickly lost
to sight in the throng of waiting passen-
gers. "a
II was right" thought Quin, as he got
out. They are working separately"
Half a minute passed before Jonks
emerged, and from his unsteady gait and
the drowsy look in his eyes it was evident
that he had been sleeping. Quin followed
him from the station and they plunged
into the more modern part of the town,
Jonks seemed to know the place. He went
on confidently, climbed George street and
entered the old town at the nort, cato
under the splendidly preserved Roman wall
He stopped at the Pied Bull close by in
Northgate street, and vanished in The cof-
fee room. where he was seen to sit down
to table.
Hes going to have a feed first reflect
ed Quin. What had better do now?'
He quickly made up his mind aai en-
tered the bar of the inn, where he ordered
pint of ale and some biscuits. He ate
and drank slowly, seated at cd table,
and in twenty minutes he saw Jonks de-
part. He rose and sauntered out.
The most interesting part of the scent
had begun. Jonks showed no hesitation.
AT steady pace he pushed southwark
across the quaint old town, then turned
and followed Eastgate street beyond the
walls. Now discordant music was heard
in the distance, and presently, amid squalid
suburbs, a common was reached. On this
trampled space big tent was pitched and
ha tI,aI
cess was within his reach. He hung back
little and watched until Jonks had pass
ed into the tent. Then he drew nearer and
read the big sign, which announced that
Walton's wonderful circus AMI menagerie
was to be seen within.
The performance was under way when
Quin paid his admission and entered the
tent. AT the far end was a low stage, and
to one side of it thick curtain screened
off the dressing quarters in the rear Right
and left a few notwithstanding animals
We're confined in wagon cages. Quin push
ed as far front as he could through the
motley audience and glanced ABOUT ilim in
vain for any signs of Jonks or Gentleman
Jem.
Then he turned his attention TO the
stage. on which a man had just led a
tawny, graceful beast, unmuzzIed and un-
fettered. 1t was Prince Wong's noness.
and to the delight of the audience, it
went through several amusing tricks. They
were the same tricks mentioned by Lon
don paper that had interviewed his high
ness, and this fact cleared all doubt from
Quins mind. He had looked for 1--WE
minutes. meanwhile planning the steps he
irtended TO take, when something hap
pened that was not the program.
Angry words and the sound of a scuffie
were heard in the dressing quarters. Then
the curtain was suddenly violently agi-
tated and fell revealing to the full view Of
the audience two men dealing ponderous
blows at each other. They were JonkS
and Gentleman Jem.
by Jove, they've come together unex-
rectedly, and have qtarFeedr' Quln OK
claimed. half aloud. II VIII be the easier
or met
The people cheered and shouted, but kept
their seats. The circus attendants held
aloof. and with savage oaths the madden
ed combatants went on with the fight. It
was of brief duration, for Jonks was the
smaller man, and soon a heavy blow felled
him to the ground. He rose up, dizzy and
bleeding, but before he could renew the
attack the loness bounded from the stage
with an angry roar and leaped upon his
back and shoulders, bearing him down
sgain. A+-
A scene of panic followed. The animals
in the cages added their ciafnor to the ter
rifled shouts and cries of the audience, who
at once made stampede for the exit.
Quin was well in front, and after brief
struggle ne got clear OF the crowd and
dashed to the spot where Jonks was strug-
Cling in the grip Of the lioness.
Use Violeucer' .Ag 49, Asg
The proprietor and his men, reused from
stupor to action. obeyed hurriedly. But
the enraged lioness, knowing that il had
hold of its old enemy. continued for a mo-
ment to bite and tear. Finally, however, a
moose was thrown about its neck, and then
1t was dragged off and secured with a net.
Jonks, only half conscious, lay bleeding
and moaning. But Gentleman Jem had
taken advantage of the confusion to make
good his escape, and Quin felt that it
would be useless to pursue him.
, amid great excitement a couple of po-
hcemen arrived, and the lacerated man
was taken to the hospital Quin accom-
panied him, and after learning from the
surgeon that the injuries were not likely
TO prove fatal, he returned to the circus
He had an unpleasant quarter of an hour
with the proprietor. but in the end the lat
ter agreed to give up the lioness. on conGi-
ton that the sum he paid for it should be
refunded.
Quin spent the night in Chester. and the
next morning he interviewed Jonks at the
hospital, and induced him to make full
&C nfession of his crime. Later in the day
he started for London, and the Iioness Sc
cErely boxed up, travelled in the guards
Quin reached Paddington about o'clock
In the evening, and after hasty supper i'll
the railway hotel he dispatched the lioness
in a small van and followed in a cab There
was sensation when he arrived at Dor
chester House and took the animal from its
cage, securing 1t by muZzle and chain.
He sent in his name and requested an au-
dience with the prince, which was quickly
granted.
His highness had finished dinner and was
III an upper room overlooking the park, at
tended by Capt. Yermainff and Lii Sing. The
scene that took place when Quin entered
with the lioness may be easier imagined
than described. With open arms, with ori-
entail words of endearment, Prince Wong
received his lost pet, who leaped upon him
with loud purrs and graceful caresses. Ii
Sing, at first struck dumb, could only clasp
his hands and beam with delight.
Qun turned to Capt. Yermaloff, whose
countenance just then was study.
Sir, word to the wise is sufficient" he
said. You will understand me when | tell
you that Alfred Jonks is prisoner and has
confessed all.
The Russians black eyes flashed with
rage and fear; he made a step forward
cl1nch1ng his fists. 'Traitori" he Kissed.
Then he turned precipitately and left the
room.
What is the meaning of this?'' cried the
prince, as the door shut with a bang.
1t means, replied Quin, that Capt.
1errnaloH stole the Honess!'
LII Sing and his royal master held up
thetr hands in CONSERVATION.
Il Shall prove the assertion said Quin
ana your highneSs must pardon me If l