New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-03

leagues were present Inquiries roared aiou"u
"chuck me over some copy" said Mr.. Weeks
Western tossed him bundle OF telegraphic
! "0imSv." which represented a poltlcal speech
and the adventurer bent to his work WIN eager
"Whore have you been?' roared every one
again. ,-o.,,, ooid
Mr. Weeks Gallery man, you are not wanted
any more. Go home ,,.,.a
Not then. nor at any future time ana "cch9
make his amazing adventures generaIIy hho"H'
To all inquiries he opposed a smooth shaVen' IN
scrutable face; the man was magnificent "a
/ roleonic He told the editor and II was WINS
pcred that he frequently TO be seen AT inc
Home Office. He moved for a Few bright uay >
about the lofty heights on which EDITORS anu
Cabinet Ministers dwell. and then ne cam
tumbng back in cheerful content TO ms SUP d,
editorial valley. But the secret was kept ana
should not be able 20 disclose II now II MI
Weeks were my only source Of Information.
There is no doubt-no doubt at all. H.
| crosses Waterloo Bridge every morning at $50,
on his way to Wimbledon, where he hves
But his town house is in M MThgt@M,s! oa0
"Perhaps Monsieur b has an appointment.
! AN appointment which he keeps at o'clock
every morning. Are you sure that you Kho"
! the man.
Il have no doubt at all. I have looked often
on his devilish face in the House, and at his
pictures in Punch 1t is the man.
"Ah, we'll, Tomorrow he must not keep the
| appointment. and Madame-or Is 1t Madem-
oiselle?- will be disappointed: 1t pierces my
heart 10 be so impOlite, but the call OF duty Is
! urgent"
| Mr. Weeks walked easily across the bridge;
/ he had no need for hurry. 1t was pleasant
morning and, though quite dark, there was a
! smell OF dawn in the air Few people except
/ journalists and night cabmen. know how treSh
| London smells when the working life IS almost
still. Early risers have the opportunity OF know
al q ~
servant.
! At the Surrey end Of the bridge a broad flight
of stone steps leads down to the river Al tle
top is an iron railing with an open gate. As
Mr. Weeks passed the open gate his hat fell of
He stopped To pick ii up. and something struck
him violently under the chin. Then many hahds
seized him. He did not struggle, but instantly
whipped out the police whistle which he always
carried. The mouthpiece was between his teeth.
and this story had nearly been spoiled when a
hard Substauce-lt was man WrlStpunc
ground into his windpipc The whistle sgheI
incffcctivcy and Mr.. Weeks was carried down
the stone steps. At the foot small steam
| launch lay rocking She was smarty fitted up,
and carried the lights Of responsibility. Mr..
Weeks was placed on board with tenderness.
his captors followed. and the smart little launch
steamed slowly up the river.
As soon the vessel started all restraint was
removed from the victim Of this intolerable as
sault. His whistle was taken away but ne was
| apparently free to make as much natural nois
as ne pleased. Men stood near him, with their
! faces decorOusly turned away Mr.. Weeks did
| not shout because he was man Of intelligence.
| He gave one look around and sat down. Tn"
| business likc-almOst professionalism OF inc
/ boat and the serenity Of her crew impressed
/ him as no threats could have done. They do
not gag mo sit on my head he thought. be
/ cause am entirely in their power. ON, con
/ found the IDIOTS shall lose my train.
| He turned to man beside him, and spoke
/ hurriediy:
! Please empty my pockets and take my watch.
! and then set me ashore at Charing Cross so
| that / may catch my train. My wife will be
/ frightened out Of her wits
Monsieur misunderstands," said the man II
was he who knew the devilish face of Mr. b.
! we do not want your money or your watch"
but my poor WIFE"
"Monscurs wife must be content to be disap-
pointed. Monsieur need not fear; We are dis
! erect and shall not tell how he failed OF his
/ appointment
/ "Ap?ointmont," Groaned Mr. Weeks The
man is some foreign lie does not know
what English words mean
The launch running along with the
| tide under her, and presently Mr.. Weeks
/ saw the great tower Of Westminster close
| beside him He looked up. The hands on the
! big yellow clock face pointed to BIO. His train
| was lost
! Poor Laura" sighed Mr. Weeks she will
! these prcpostcrous pirates all around If | were
not afraid they would make my poor girl
widow"
| with his train departed also, curiously enough
a great deal Of his irritation The worst had
happened and Mr.. Weeks cloakcd himself in
/ what he considered 10 he philOSOphic gloom.
/ 1t was that kind Of uneXactng gloom which per-
| mits of personal enjoyment Gradually, as one
/ learning lesson bit by bit, Weeks became con-
sN;S,A,SNsg yM MIMI sasssZssstSN