The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-10-20

they were"
why, that's the number of our
compartment" said 1.
Exactly. It's sure to be a message
telling someone to meet HIM, and, il
SO, the pair of them may give me
trouble at Liverpool"
What do you mea to do them"
Collar him as soon as we start
from here. strap him up. shove him
under the seat. and when his precious
accomplish arrives at Crewe I'll pitch
a yarn to him about his friend being
IN another part of the train. Then
he'll board the tran, and at Liverpool
the police can formally arrest my
prisoner, while l follow the other
chap to see what the game is. You
see, / don't know which of them has
the booty, and that's the main thing
we're after"
But supposing some other passen-
gers have already entered u COM
partment?"
"They can't. I've made it all right
with the guard. Times nearly up.
Better get back; 1 must buy a couple
of straps. You'll help, if necessary"
"Of course" said L. for the affair
was greatly to my liking.
We were just about to start when
Burnside, who had settled down in his
corner, suddenly rose and thrust his
head out of the window beside us.
Guard" he shouted. What time
do we reach Crewe?"
"Eight-forty-five. sir!"
"Good." Burnside took his seat
again, and the detective and l ex-
changed glances. My heart began to
beat fast, and l braced myself up for
the coming struggle; for Burnside
was a powerful-looking man, and the
detective, though wiry and close-knit,
was much slighter in build. We
would evidently have a tough job of
it l thought.
Just as the train flew through the
third station beyond Stafford the de-
t~ective, who had been fidgeting be-
hind his paper, suddenly began to
wipe his lips with his handkerchief,
and then rose as if to get something
off the rack. With one bound he was
on Burnside and he had pinned him in
the corner with his knee.
Quick, get his wrists" he said.
dumped over and laid hold of Burn
sides hands, just as he was struggling
to reach his pocket. Then 1 saw that
his face was covered with the detec-
tive's handkerchief, from which came
a strong, sickly odor. He struggled
frightfully for a moment or two and
then seemed to collapse.
Its all right now" said the detec-
tive, but he very nearly had me
plugged. Faugh! Open the windows,
quick, or we'll be succumbing to the
chloroform ourselves"
1 lowered the windows, and none too
soon, for ALREADY the drug was begin
ming to make my head swim. The de-
t~ective, meanwhile, was securing
hands and feet with a
couple of stout rug straps.
That's all right" he said, when he
had finished. "You nabbed his hand
just at the right moment. I'll men,
ton your name in the proper quarter
Il you'll give it to me-, and who knows
but you might come in for a recogni-
ton from his lordship!"
1 gave him my name, but on condi-
ton that it would not be published in
the papers.
I'll see to that" he said; land now
help me to lift our worthy friend un-
Ter the seat"
We lifted Burnside with some diff
and rolled him under the over
cushions, placing his head
the detectives black bag.
Good" said my alert companions;
but his arms show a trifie, so I'll
lace the footwarmers in 'front.'. There
are! Half a dozen people might
ook into the carriage and never
he was there"
when he comes to, though, he'll
to shout"
I'll gag him just before We reach
Irewe. He'll be all right, never fear"
Now that the crisis had passed | be-
ran to grow cheerfully interested in
he affair. and looked forward with
TO the second act in the little
which was being played before
ny eyes.
Sure enough. when the train slowed
ID at Crewe, there was a tall. heavily
man standing on the platform
Inspecting the numbers on the car
That's the fellow!" said my friend.
You wait here while l get the guard
o put a reserved label on this com
'artment. We don't want the beggar
n here if we can help it,"
He got out and closed the door. leav-
NIB me alone with the thief, who had
.een duly gagged, and was now breath
ng heavily. with every sign of return
ng consciousness. l felt somewhat I'M
l must confess. when the
man passed the carriage and
lanced in: and. fearing he might re-
urn and subject the carriage to a
inspection, 1 r~earranged the
.oot-warmers and transferred my bag
D the other side, so that the view I'M
er the seat was completely blocked.
Presently a porter came and labeled
he compartment reserved" and. feel
lg easier in my mind. / jumped out,
the door, and stood by it until
" friend returned.
Everything right?" said he. "Good!