The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1901-02-02

gal1oping ransom cab. There were
few people about at this early
hour, only the policemen, and they
looked very shy at my tramp's clothes,
giving no answer. AT last a couple of
decent farm folk, bringing in milk, told
me they had passed a hansom with a
Worn horse on the far side of Ham
bridge. in the district of
Barnes.
BY the time / reached the Strathallan
road it was broad daylight. L found
long road of detached villa houses,
each in its own garden, many with
stables adjoining. l figured 1t out, as
| walked up and down this road twice,
one of these cottages was Just
Captain Wood. if he could be got to it.
He could be driven straight into the
stable yard; the cab would nc more be
seen when the coach house door closed
behind him, and II one, neither the
neighbors nor the police. would be a bit
the wiser as to what mischief vas be-
Ing worked inside.
1t took me just two hours to examine
the entrance gates Of every villa house
with stables In that road. In three of
them were the new tracks of wheels
marked plainly In the thick lying sum
dust. / could not discover which
the most recent, but 1 carefully
noted the numbers of these houses,
meaning to put q watch upon them all.
l called up the boy Joseph Walls, a
smart young squire, too. from the
office in Norfolk street, as soc as /
could get a telegram through. BY the
time he arrived 1 had narrowed my in
v%estigations to a single point for fur
observation.
The day had so far advanced that
tha hrSinnSc nf life was wall Iapnn T
saw the blinds drawn up in two of the
houses. the front doors opened, the
women help busy Shaking the mats
and washing down the Stops. Pres
entity some of the young folks ran out
into the gardens. and ! could see the
family gatherings round h breakfast
tables, from which on the early morn
ing air zane the smell of hot coffee and
English breakfast bacon. with the
temptation of Tantalus for a starving
mon who had been out all night. All
this while the third house remained
closed, Theoretically sealed. 1t was
closed up. tight suffered, not a Sign
of life in it. When l cache my lodg-
irss in Norfolk street l was pretty we'll
washed out. But I turned in for an
hour, and at 10 a.. m. woke much re-
freshed. AS I dressed with care l pom
dcred deeply owe this business and the
course hat l should adopt. My first
II most urgent duty was to secure the
release of Mr.. Wood, always supposing
that my gentleman was the person ac-
tuaily carried off in the cab. At pres
ent l had no certainty Of this. only a bit
more than strong suspicion. Yet If 1
could ascertain that he had not re-
turned home / should be justified In
taking surmise for fact.
First I went to Charges street. The
man there remembered me, but looked
strangely when I inquired for Captain
Wood.
You have not heard the news, them"
he said. +
What in thunder is there to hear
more than l have to tell your" 1 asked,
nettled at thinking some n was be-
fore me.
why, that the captain has met with
an accident. He slipped UP somehow
last night or early this morning and
hurt ,ts 49,
~ toi % that story? Do you
believe it?"
II believe the captains own hand
writing"
What did he say exactly??" I was
quite taken aback. as you may suppose.
but did not want to show it too much.
Here. read it for yourself. It's not
al! his own. of course, and you will I'M
derstand why. But that's his name at
the bottom there sure enough"
1t was written IN good gray note pa
Per. in a fair running hand, and 1t
Said:
"Ssavory. I've come to grief driving
home. Horse slipped upon the curb,
and 1 was thrown out of the cab. Some
kind people picked ms up and are talk
Ing good care of me. But 1 sllan't be
able to move hand or foot for some
days. Send me by bearer portmanteau
Of things-shirts, dressing gown. dit
toes, checkbook, letters, papers and the
rest. Yours, w. A. Wood.
TIA Lahurnum street, Harrow road.''
And you sent them? How"
by the cab hat brought the letter.
why didn't you go with them your
self?"
Il thought OF it certainly, and I wish
l had"
You may well wish that. And now,
If 0 will be guided by me, you'll go
and find out IVA Laburnum street right
away, IL there's any such place at ALL
oh, but there Is. It's in the direc-
tory"
rs that so? Well, IL you come across
Mr.. Wood there III run you for next
president of the United states: You've
got just the face for a postage stamp.
What in the name of Conscience
dye meant What's 'appened To him,
them"
Its my opinion that Captain Wood
has fallen among thieves, brigands,
worse-rufians. who'll hold him to ran
SOM for blackmail, rob, murder him,
God knows what. unless some of us can
circumVent their b!ackguard maneu-
rers. And l am going to try. 1 don't
believe in cab accidents and L%aburnum
streets. You may; so you'd better go
and Judge for yourself"
But he was not going to fluid him In
Laburnum street. l was pretty sure OF
that, but it was right to look there OF
the off chance h a this story was true.
For myself | was more than ever per-
suaded OF foul play, and l considered ]
was bound to lay the Whole matter be
fore the London police.
i was not very well received at Scot
land Yard. They told me to get prope,
credentials, Il certificate from the
American consul. l was terribly rolled
but, not to waste time. l took q cal
straight to Great st. Helen's, where OF
course ] vas perfectly well known. Ons
OF the senior clerks came to me directly
What can we do for you Mr.. Snuy.
ger? Want an introduction to the
metropolitan police? Why, certainly
Reckon It's no use asking what you're
after. Big case?"
lie wasSa friend and had often giyer
me information in a small way. ]
thought perhaps he might help m
now. for I'd heard from you they were
mostly Americans working this con
spiracy, and it was likely enough
they'd know at the consulate whether
any big "toughs' and '.bunko men
werein London just then.
Its something to do with the Nc.
Taught Millions" / said. You've heard
no doubt, Of that young Englishman's
luck?"
Why, yes. He was here this very
morning. only an hour ago" 1t was
then about 1 o'clock. Captain William
Aretas Wood they called him. Is he
your client?"
1t hit me like a blow, this news, for ]
saw at once what it meant. Captain
Wood could not be lying injured in Q
street off the Harrow road and walk,
ing about Great st. Helen's. I wanted
no more proof of foul play.
We are acting for Captain Wood
Case OF attempted fraud. They've 500,
found he's fair game. But what brought
him here, IL / may ask?"
Some question: of legal powers. Grant.
ing attorney to representatives in New
York, assigning certain properties b,
deed to trustees. Legal business. TIL,
law, you know. requires the signatur.
to be given in the presence Of the Unit.
lL-1 & ~