Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-04
the gamekeeper-like ipdividual before

the gamekeeper-like Individual before
4 me, had not been expecting him.
mo occasion to make up for a job
like the one we have in hand,' he re-
Marked glancing around him critically
in search of well-horsed hanson.
'The chaps l want to interview are
not of the sort likely to know me by
sight, and it doesn't much matter even
If am spotted by an outsider"
A wiry-looking roam met his approval,
but our appearance did not seem to i'm
press the driver very flvorably; and,
indeed, L did not much wonder thereat
when saw him taking stock of the
weather-beaten old reefing jacket and
cap had donned for that occasion. A
detective-inSpector is not, however,
likely to pay much heed to a cabby's
whims, and the rapid exchange of a
T.. few sharp retorts resulted in our being
bowled along eastward at as fast O.
pace as the crowded traffic would adj
nit. AS though by common instinct,
we lit our pipes. turned up the collar $
of our coats and sank back in our re-
spective corners. trying to husband
what little warmth there was in us.
Two average foreigners. similarly
placed, would at once have had the
window lowered; but we We're far too
English, or too hardy, or too mule
headed to abandon our pipes: and so
we sped along behind the wiry roam,
smoking and rarely exchanging Il word.
| 1t is a long drive from the Strand to
| the Southwest India Docks, and bit
terly cold one on Il raw evening in mid
Winter. Yet we only called halt once
Oh the way: and then (as we assured
each other only to restore animation
| to our half-frozen Jehu. We, moreover,
:sccrtained fhe driver being some
what hazy as to the topography of the
district that the rendezvous given by
Mr. TrailHs emissary. and known as
the white Bear" was some distance
nearer than the Southwest India
Docks. though largely patronized by
the crews of vessels berthed there. To
the "White Bear" we accordingly pro-
ceeded, giving the cabby five shillings
Oh account, with leave of absence for
ut least an hour, and we found our
way into comfortable, fair-sized bar
parlor. reserved las we were given to
understand) for the better-paying class
Of customers. We were somewhat be,
fore our time, and the detective had
not yet arrived; so we We're reduced to
ordering refreshments and awaiting
the course of events.
The bar parlor seemed but poorly
patronized in comparison with the
more public parts of the establishment,
for we had it to ourselves until Brad
shaw (rraiHs mani made his appear
ance with two companions. All three
were. Of course, strangers to me; but
easily distinguished the detective from
the others. one of whom set down as
IL ships steward while the appearance
of the other denoted him to be low
grade engineer Bradshaw was got up
in Il haggy serge suit. of longshore cut,
and might have been almost anything,
in seni-nautical way. from a steve
dcre to ships husband.
Now. Traill's original plan had been
that Bradshaw should. in affected sur
prise and delight, recognize him as an
old friend. unseen for years; and, I'M
der cover of this carefully-acted pream-
bic. introduce him to his companions.
TO my surprise, therefore. as also,
doubtless. that of his subordinate, the
inspector averted his face, produced his
handkerchief, and abandoned himself
to the throes of violent sneezing tit.
When he had sufficiently recovered to
face the company. a very ugly, sfrag-
Cling goatee beard almost covered his
chin. and so entirely altered his APP
pearancc as to render recognition al
NEST an impossibility Bradshaw eth
er OWNED that this move indicated
sudden change of plan. or else he re-
ceived some private signal to the same
effect, for he took no notice of his chief
and filled in his change OF cue by
fo Friends with
whom he presently entered into what
seemed to be rather animated CONVEX
sation. Seated as we were, however.
in a remote corner, originally selected
by Trail for his own reasons, we could
net hear a word OF what was said.
This of course. cut both ways. We
could converse in q low tone without
risk of being overheard.
81 know the small, pasty-faced man
by sight" whispered the inspector.
Saw him piraded once at Bow Street.
and think he got three years after
wards for thieving I never forget
face. and it's just on the cards he may
know me- SO altered my first plan
and grew :: beard. 1t don't suit me
much. does it,
NO l said. smiling at his almost
grotesque appearance. lit certainly
does not. But it hides your identity
very effectively. and that's the main
point. What's your new programme?
To chip in with our friends over
there?' 0." -.
II think III try It leaf out of your
hook" he replied. land trust to the
Chapter of Accidents
Events. however. did not seem to
shape themselves so as to afford him
any reasonable preteXt for fntrudlng
upon the others until. weary OF wait
ing. he had recourse to Il bold manneu-
vrc which succeeded to perfection.
Selling our empty glasses. he moved
toward Il small sliding panel. which
opeEed upon the bar, with the evident
intention Of having them replenished.
But. in passing behind Bradshaw's
chair he tripped forward and. in a
well feigned effort to save himself,
made a clean sweep of the drinks
which the three men were discussing.
md nm