Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-03-16
Jacks Prisoner
Is IAcKl" said his father, as this fine

y
stone for time and find out who this
enemy is, viii your"
Jack laughed. It was so droll; this
kind-hearted. overindulgent, pocket
exhaustless father of his having an en-
envy.
where shall look for your enemy,
pater?"
"He writes from Tabatha. Here is
his third demand for money received
this week." and the "pater" handed
Jack crisp, neat letter that had trav-
eled over 1000 miles.
"Haye you answered any of his de-
mands?" asked Jack, more seriously,
as he read the threat on his fathers life
provided the demand for money was not
/ met.
"0f course not" replied Jacks ia
Their; "the man is nothing to me. Per-
haps l had better put It into the hands
of detective, and not bother you. Give
me the letter"
"No, no." said Jack; "a couple of thou
sand miles run won't hurt me; I'm a
little tired of boring at law, anyway.
There's a train, an express, at six. I'll
| take that, pater, and rest assured II a
man by this creatures name is still
hanging out In Tabatha I'll have him
In not much over a week from to-day"
Jacks father smiled.
Don't run yourself into any special
danger on account of the crank, my
boy. There may be more danger about
it than at first thought"
Not a bit Of II, responded Jack. "If
he'll only have the kindness TO hold on
in Tabatha till get there; that's all
ask"
"He will" said the father, "for be
writes that he awaits my check there
till II is received or I'm a corpse, and"
The mans a fool or crazy!" ex-
claimed Jack. still, there was Carter
Harrison; there was Garfield. Better
have yourself guarded, father, till trap
the game"
Mr.. Whittemore shook his head. Pm
not a coward, Jack, and / should detest
having a detective forever at my heels.
II | seriously believed there was so
much danger as that / wouldn't let you
go. As it Is, catch the villain II you're
able and relieve me Of an annoyance;
an enemy, as / called him at first"
AL right, old man. Good-by. I'm
off TO the bank and the ticket office. I
may not get home TO dinner. Drop me
line every day and I'll do the came
by you" and, grasping his fathers
hand, be was practically off on his com
mission, as his father knew.
Six days later Jack was quite at home
in one Of the leading hotels Of Tabatha
and preparing for his first sortie upon
the game. With the letter in hand that
had so threatened his father, he started
for the address which the letter con-
tanned. No such address was discover
able, and he turned his steps toward
/ the post office. As he did so a cab
dashed toward him, giving him no time
to get out Of the way. Reaching up, he
caught the horse by the bride and
forced IL back from the crossing. The
horse was a thin, oyerdriven creature,
or be could not have handled it 50 easily.
Let me by, sir" shouted the cabman.
ats matter OF life and DEATH"
81 should say so. aud my life and
death. too" replied Jack. Foot pas
senrers have the right Of way on cross
Ilnes. III hand you over 10 the police y
The "cabby~ turned white and made
feint TO drive on, while young WON
an. much acitated, looked out of the cab
Fnar and said. please let Us go on;
INV father has just been hurt en- an ucci-
dent. the eabman says, and he Stalking
me to him
Jack raised his hat and allowed the
cabman TO drive on, the words the
cabmau SAYS" repeating themselves IN
his mind. Was it peculiar or not thai
q eabman should inform the young
woman OF an accident TO her father
and wasn't IL rather questionable that
/ the same cabman should now turn into
\ that hard Whitechapel part Of the city
which he had Just gone through in his
search for the address in the letter ne
carried. lie turned and followed ths
cab.
1t went slowly. for the spent horse
was limpinr now, and drew up in front
of an old brick tenement that looked
I'm the second stories completely aoan-
5oued. The young woman alghteo.
asked two OF three quick questions OF
the cabman, then entered the house as
the eabman fumbltd the money INTO
/ his pocketbook that she bad given him
and drove away. 4 tawuy-haired boy
was swapping marbles in the middle o.
the street. and, seeing Jack, ambled
toward him.
"Say. mister, she war a niee-lookiug
LADY. want she2 Fl l was you I'd gu
lber ont OF that there. I'm not sayin
uauthiu'. Yer know.
No" said Jack. steruly. who lives
/ tb,re?'' and he flung the BOY quarter
81 don't know" answered the lad
sstiBr the quarter with his teeth to see
/ A n was genuine. shut he's strange
| tF8 duifer: money mad, ! 'ayS Inc
rfsce for him's the sane 'sylum' pop