The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-07-20

,
from my amazement actually had the
audacity to handcuff me there and
then!
"'Sir!' | shouted, when | had sutfi-
GENTLY overcome the shock, this is an
outrageous mistake! Take these things
off immediately, and allow me to ex-
plain!'
"'You needn't trouble TO do that!' he
replied, with a self-satisfied smile: II
will do that for you. You are Henry
Graham, the Scotland Yard detective
| should never run down the force 10
stranger. Allow me to introduce my
self, John Smith--no connection with
the bookstall people-but the perpetra-
tor of the Fernleigh court robbery But
now, with or without your acquies-
cence, we will exchange names and
bags; you are John Smith, the Fern
leigh culprit; | am Henry Graham. the
successful and praiseworthy detective.
Twig"
~ now saw through his little game
how completely he had fooled me; and
when | saw him change bags-the con-
demning pieces of glass and cloth were
in my bag-I guessed what he was
about to do. My heart sank withH me:
all hopes of a successful career seemed
crushed: and all could reply was::
Your deceitful scoundrel, and some
day you shall pay for this
Pray don't excite yourself. Mr..
no cd
Don't forget you're in my power. 1
was going to give you little informa-
tion just to while away the time. How
| committed the robbery | cannot af-
ford to tell you-the secret will prove
useful for future occasions-butl might
as well inform you tha., but for that
nasty fall l had when making off, not
a suspicion of n clew would you have
had. AS it was, the rapidity with which
the news spread, and the number OF
persons immediately put on the watch,
made it impossible for me to leave the
district immediately. Even now, have
been forced to leave most of the 'swag'
with one of my agcnts-l've got them
nearly all over the country. | might
also mention, for your edification, that
| have had you under my eye prac-
tically the whole time; and | only lost
sight OF you owing to the necessity of
visiting my agent. Dame Fortune, how
ever, has thrown us together once more
"a little closer this time; and had
not been more sharp-witted than you,
| should have had apartments booked
for me in prison for the next few years.
Now. Mr. John Smith, what do you
think of your Scotland Yard detec-
tives?'
II made no reply.
"'You intend "a remain silent. then,
like an obnoxious phonograph?' he
went on, jocularly. 1T is just as well,
for | must be now about my business.
So saying, he opened my bag, and, TAX
ing from it a sheet of my official note
paper, wrote in good hand:
ITO the station-master at yelling
borough: Telegraph Immediately to sta
tion-master at Bedford to have policeman
and sergeant ready to meet this train in,
to arrest the leader Of the Fernleigh court
robbery gang. Am obliged to go on to st.
Pancras myself. to arrest confederates.
who will be there, with portion of booty, to
meet their leader.
"'HENRY GRAHAM, Scotland Yard
Having shown this to me, with
chuckle of satisfaction, he threw il out
of the window as the train flew through
Wellingborough, and it was picked up
by one of the porters.
This done, he drew from his bag a
suit of clothes similar to mine, and
changed. This, with little touching
up which he performed, gave him the
appearance of quite a different person.
| have never known so complete dis
guise effected in so short time.
"All arrangements completed, he
again devoted his attention to enter
tanning me.
have to spend night in Bedford prison.
That place will get quite a name for i'm
prisoning innocent people, what, with
John Bunyan and John Smith, won't
it?'
"On arrival at Bedford, explanations,
demonstrations and furious threats all
proved unavailing, thanks to Smiths
ready wit
Hes the most cunning rogue ! have
ever had to deal with was Smiths an
swer to all my detailed charges. Not
bad conscience to accuse me of being
the culprit, and claiming to be the de-
tective himself! But it won't work,
my friend, it won't work. It's useless
to try to impose upon the Bedford po-
lice, Mr.. Smith; they know thing or
two too many to be "had on" like that!