The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-11-22
CHAPTER ".

1llAi 1 ILIC lt.
BOssO DUvALLY, CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD.
%N 10 Buckford Wallace who had
4 expected to see a mob of his
ESs.sz:5S enemies and whom the sight
eSssszsksa115 of. two uniformed police Off
GERS was most welcome, the words of
the gendarme carried no special sig
nificance. He saw at once tho mistake
that had been made. Instead of the
agent Ct the project of police he was
looked upon as the murderer of NJ. de
Bullion. He even smiled as he thought
Of the naturalness of the error.
"Iou are Mistaken" he said, coming
forward from his hiding place without
fear. II have done nothing to cause
my arrest. came in here to escape a
mob Of rascals who were trying to
murder me. found this man sitting
dead in lis chair"
"Oh, that is lier' shouted the ex-
cited Waterman. He came to me with
him my leather jacket my slouch hat,
my keys. even told him which door
the big brass key unlocked. Oh, oh!'
Il think myself the story is absurd"
said the mounted officer. zone does
not unlock private doors with stolen
keys to escape murderers. One comes
to the police for protection"
'ln my opinion" said the watchman,
''the men he was running away from
wanted him for another crime like
this"
"Well, it will do no good to stand
here and argue" said the officer ON the
beat. I'VE must take the fellow to
the depot. Let him tell his story
there
IF you feel it to be your duty to
place me under arrest" said Buck
ford. 'and l do not blame you in the
least, take me at once to the prefec-
ture. My adventures tonight happen
ed while acting under instructions
from the prefect of police. He can
understand the whole thing"
ooh, if that's the case it can soon be
settled said the officer. "Come with
me-
"And l." said the other policeman,
"wll remain until the arrival of the
commissaire. You will of course make
the report
II will attend to that. Now come,
my fine fellow, to the prefect. l am
anxious to see whether you tell the
truth or not"
But stay!' cried the watchman.
'My leather jacket and my slouch
hat"
"Well, what about them?''
81 want them.'
"Oh, indeed! Well, what are you,
an accomplice of this fellow"
'"The good God forbid! But + want
what belongs to me-"
You will get them-after we are
through using them. A pretty watch
man you are! You are as guilty of NJ.
de Bullion's death as his murderer.
Your neglect made it possible"
The watchman and one officer re-
manned on the scene while Buckford,
IN the custody of the other officer, left
for the prefecture.
1t was nearly midnight when they
arrived, and the prefect was not to be
seen till morning. The officer made
his report, and the prisoner, against
his vigorous protest, was thrust into a
cell to wait till morning
He spent most wretched night and
as the weary hours dragged them
selves along the humor of his situation
hied away. He now felt that he was
in most difficult situation. A thou
sand questions crowded into his busy
brain. Suppose the prefect did not re.
call his face! Suppose the prefect did
not believe his story! All depended on
the project.
In the morning he was taken into the
office Of the project. He found there
beside the project of police, the chief
of the detective service and n commits
saire. The three looked at him with
cold, condemning eyes as he entered.
He also saw, standing little apart,
the policeman who had arrested him
tie night before.
rs this the man?" asked the prefect
of police.
That is the man." replied the police
man.
"iielate the circumstances of his ar
rest and explain why he was held to
see me personally instead of being
sent TO the depot of detention"
( Il was patrolling my regular post
when was accosted by a very excited
man." said the policeman. HE was,
it seemed. Il watchman employed by
Nj. de Bullion, who was building the
large apartment houses in that district
lie told me that Il man had taken his
leather jacket and hat and keys; that
he had gone away with them; that he
was now undoubtedly trying to rob the
houses to which the keys belonged. 1
will explain that some of these houses
are already erected, while of the 9TH
ers only the foundations are up.
whistled for assistance and accompa-
MED the watchman to the office of NJ.
de Bullion. 1t seems that this NJ. de
Bullion is a peculiar man, who
'Never mind that 1t will all be told
at the investigation. What we want
now are the facts concerning this
man."
We'll, we found NJ. de Bullion dead
in his chair at his desk. This fellow
was hiding in closet. l arrested him.
He said he had not killed NJ. de Bull
lion, but had gone into the place to es-
cape some enemies of his own who had