The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-06-23
A Hand Shake With Death
BY p. Beaufoy.

M ANY men can tell stories of won
wi derful escapes and of deliveTances
SO marvellous that one would fain be-
lieve that the day of miracles still en-
dured, but doubt greatly whether any
man ever came so close to the dread
shadow and escaped in so marvellous
and yet so simple manner as did I
about ten years ago, when I was con-
nected with the secret service depart
ment of Scotland Yard, and was looking
after the anarchists, who at that time
were causing the greatest anxiety by
their activity in the direction of vio-
lence and crime. Of the escape in ques-
ton let the lines that follow speak.
The terrible explosion at Edinburgh
had just taken place, whereby many
persons had lost their lives and many
more been injured, and on all sides one
heard rumors of still more awful disas-
tiers in store.
One afternoon, early in January, the
chief summoned me to his room, and
said: "Mr. harrington, L understand
you expect to achieve good stroke to-
l.
| smiled as made answer: II have
every confidence of doing so. BY as
Stunning the character of an Irish-Amer-
lean anarchist, have discovered some
very useful information. Above all, I
have unearthed very hornets nest in
Soho, kept by Russian called
Markovski. BY arresting the men
found in that club this evening, we
shall, in all probability, secure several
gentlemen who are wanted in connec-
ton with the Edinburgh trouble. + =
Il will tell you my arrangements for
this evening. There is to be meeting
at the club of which have spoken be-
tween eight and eight-thirty, and by
nine o'clock it is to be assumed that
every man will be in his place. I also
shall be there in my role as a partisan
of the league. Send a squad of men to
this address" (and here handed him a
slip of paper bearing the information)
lat nine o'clock precisely, and let them
arrest every individual on the prem
ises. They had better take me as well,
for appearances sake. This will dis
arm any suspicion on their part that
there are informers in the camp"
II see-I see," he answered, quickly.
IAN excellent plan, Mr.. Darlington"
He then jotted down the. various de-
tails necessary, and I went about nv
ordinary vocations until day should
wane and it would be time for me to
take my way to the anarchist club in
the role of member of that terrible
organization.
The day passed quickly enough, alb
sorbed as I was with other Interesting
matters, and shortly before eight /
went to my lodgings, and having as
sumed my usual disguise, took my way
to the club. entered.
Slowly the gloomy room filled with
the swarthy, eviElooking members, and
at length the meeting was complete
save for one man, a Russian known as
Ivan Menskoff. He was expected. to re-
turn that evening from Edinburgh,
whittier he had gone on business con
nected with the brotherhood. Present.
ly slight murmur ran round the room
and the Russian strobe into the apart.
, ment. His brows were contracted
eyes CLEANED with suppressed rage
Hastily looking from man to man until
his gaze encountered mine, he pointed
at me and cried, vehemently: 49, -. =, :.
"Seize that man who calls himself Ed
ward Withers. Secure him, and gag
him at once. Heis q spy-an accurseG
spy in the employ of the British govern
ment" '~SA - @"s'' 'sss"la'45z .
I sprang up from my seat in order tt
defend myself from the brutal arm.
that closed round me, but the battl,
was an unequal one. Two minute.
later, bound, gagged, and helpless, 4.
was pinioned to the wall, the cords be
. ing drawn so tightly round my ches
that could scarce breathe. /.
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