Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-30
CHAPTER Nj.
GARROTTERS.

At recognition of his old keeper, Henry
Harding is supremely astonished. Not so
much from seeing him there, but hearing
him call for champagne.
las live" he says, turning to his COM
panion, that's our old gamekeeper-the
fellow 1 told YOU ia thrash for poisoning
the pheasants,
3 .Indeed!n exclalms the other. odd we
should meet him herer
Not at all. on the contrary. it's as
likely a place is there is in all London. I'm
not surprised at that, But what puzzles
me is to hear him ordering wine at ten
shillings a bottle / believe that's it's low
est figure here. Shows he has money, at
all events. The question is, where can he
have got IT.? The last news we had OF him
less than month old-was his being IN
before Bow-street magistrate for an at
fair of skittle sharping-robhlng some
country Johnny he had picked up in the
streets. Somehow or another the case
wasn't clear and he was let of His be-
ing in funds now looks very ike as II he
had taken the countryman's money after
ALL"
He may have been to the races and won
a bet-made "A raise that way?"
More likely he's made it by picking
somebody's pocket. Suppose we watch
him. and see what he's up 10 now? |
shouldn't wonder If It's something of tho
same kind"
1T looks like enough"
Without further speech the young men,
stu retaining their seats, fix their eyes
upon the ex-gamekeeper and his drinking
companions. They have no fear Of his
seeing them. The smoke and Swallowed
corner effoetualy screen them from his
observation. Besides, he appears too
much engrossed with his company to give
his regards elsewhere.
They see the bottle Of "fizz" brought IN
uncorked. poured into the glasses, and
soon quaffed of. Then there Is a littge
dispute about who pays for It; which erds
by the young italian drawing out his
pocket book. and handing the money to
the waiter.
That's strange" remarks Henry Har-
dings friend. "Your old keeper appears 10
be an artful dodger Calls for wine, and
let's his comrade pay for It."
"Comrade! That can be no comrade Of
Doggy Dick. The one on his side the ta-
BILE may, but not the other. who has the
pearance of a gentleman. He's a foreign
er l take it--has the look OF a spaniard or
Italian. The bearded fellows undoubtedly
Itailau, with an Israelitish cast OF fea-
lures. thought"
by Jove! they seem an oddly-assorted
lot. wonder what's brought them to-
gether? Maybe they've met by chance-at
the tablet"
Maybe. But chance acquaintances. on
such short notice, would hardly be treat
ing one another TO champagne. Two 81
them at least-Doggy and the one beside
him-appear to have an older understand
ing Did you notice thor heads together
while the young fellow was looking at his
watch2'
yes. Indeed. I shouldn't be surprised
OF they intend making him tipsy, and TAX
ing it from him"
"Just what I've been thinking they're
after. All theyn be disappointed. Sect
He's getting up and going 10 leave themi
Good I'm glad Of it."
The young man had risen 10 his feet, and
appears to be apologising for his de-
parture. What excuse he makes. neither
Henry Harding nor his friend can hear.
though they can see by the expression on
the faces Of the other two that his leaving
so abruptly gives them some chagrin, and
they are seemingly persua6ing him 20 stay
and take another drink Unsucceasfuliy,
however He IL resoute In hts deterfnina-
ton to leave. and, acting upon IT, he NJ
length bids them "buono notte" and turn
ing, proceeds towards the saloon door.
fTo be continued)