The Irish standard., 1899-04-29

IhouSnl OF, ana tnat the only chance or
success lay in obtaining possession of
the jewels during the journey But
then the difficulty arose how to escape
detection subsequently. If we re-
manned in the slip-carriage and We're
deposited at Salterton with the rest of
the passengers, it was inevitable-an
absolute certainty. 1t was a point
which bothered me for some time, but
ultimately I evolved a scheme which,
it audacious to the verge of reckless
ness, | saw no reason to consider impos-
sible of accomplishment.
This was nothing less than to cper-
ate. not from the carriage itself, but
from the main portion of the train.
How I proposed to do this you shall
learn in due course; sufficient for the
present that when Braggs called sec
ond time had fully mapped out my
plan of campaign. He acquiesced, as
knew he would. in all that proposed;
and when we parted all the details were
agreed. and we had drunk a bumper to
success.
On the night in question. therefore,
we met at st. Pancras, and after book
ing frst-class tickets to Manchester
walked to the train. 1t was absolutely
necessary that we should have an empty
compartment, and, the travellers by the
train being luckily few in number. we
were able to secure one with only an
other passenger compartment and
guards locker between us and the slip
coach. We could not possibly have been
better situated.
Before getting into the carriage T
took good look at the couplings which
united MS to the carriage which was
to be dropped off at Salterton and
watched them put into position ready
for work. In less than five minutes
later we We're off. and Braggs and T
were congrat ulating ourselves that so
far nothing had happened to interrupt
our plans. We had observed little
parcel being placed in the rear carriage,
which seemed to excite slight interest
even in the langnid porters and guards
who were hanging about There was
also a detective surveying it with
roldly professional air; and if they had
only known that two-but that is San
other story" as a celebrated author
has said somewhat frequently.
Now came the real work. Braggs
quickly unfastened one of the bags and
began to extract from it various arti-
cles which had instructed him 10 pro-
cure. There was a ''jemmy," skele-
ton key or two, good, stout cord of
several yards length, with few fair
sized weights attached to it at intervals,
another bundle of cord and a tiny bot
tie Of chloroform.
When all was ready and I had pock-
eted what wanted, buttoned up my
coat, and, quietly opening the otf-side
door, stepped out on to the footboard.
You do not realize, on simply reading
it in cold print, what this means, but
can say with perfect confidence that
it requires pretty good nerve to travel
in that position.
Fortunately the night was so dark as
to render observation of my movements
matter of difficulty, if not impossible.
Braggs handed the weighted cord to me
through the window, and, thus equipped,
| proceeded with gingerly steps along
the narrow ledge, bending low as L
passed the windows of the next COM
partment. The great feat was getting
from the carriage on which was to the
slip" vehicle in rear of it.; and it was a
few seconds before I could nerve N.Y.
self to take the little jump which was
necessary. l did accomplish it at length,
and Immediately made fast the cord to
a rail on the door, so that could easily
obtain possession of it again when I
needed it.
Braggs. should explain, retained
the other end and paid out the cord as
I walked: and the weights served the
purpose of keeping it low and prevent
ed Tapping against the windows, which
might have attracted attention we bv
no means coveted.
| The next thing did was to break the
bottle of chloroform over my hand
l1erchief, and was then ready for ac-
ton. I took peep through the win
dow at the guard in the carriage He
was calmly reading newspaper, and I
chuckled as I saw how the game was
playing into ourhands Gently turned
the handle and allowed the door to
open. He looked up as the draught of
cold air caught him; but I was too
quick for him, and had the handker-
chief to his nostrils before he had time
to think. much less make any attempt
at resistance. AS he sank in an uncon-
scious heap to the floor pulled the
door to again, with a sigh of inward
thankfulness and the hope that no
watchful signalman had noticed the
temporary irregularity.
To gag and bind him was not a task
that took up much time, and this did
with the bundle of cord in my pocket.
| was sorry for him, certainly. but SEN
timent is misplaced when it interferes
with business, and, anyhow, the incon-
venience would be only temporary.
The next step was to secure the
booty. knew, of course, that it would
be placed in the special locker which
is reserved for valuables, and with the
aid of my tools I soon had this open.
My heart gave little thump of excite
ment as saw the package which had
been the cause of so much solicitude,
neatly tied up and addressed to 81.
Chalcraft, Esq, Salterton,'' and re-
splendent in blue and red seals; but
there was no time to indulge in self-con-
| tn,