Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-12-04
A BLACK ROBED MAN

shortly after the close of the last Car
list war, and | was employed in an i'm
portant case in which the liberty and
probably the life of a distinguished
Carlist leader were at stake. This gen
tleman was relative of my mother,
and, apart from my youthful enthusi-
asm for my profession, | was devoting
all my time and every scrap of energy
| possessed to his interests.
Now, the fact that l had been dining
out will no doubt be seized upon by
skeptical persons, and to their minds
will probably explain all the circum-
stances that | am now going to set
down. | can only state most solemnly
that when they occurred | was never
more in my sober senses.
1t was long past midnight when l
took leave of my friends. As | passed
along | had the street almost to my
self, and | paced briskly, enjoying the
night air. Suddenly, though l heard
no sound of footsteps, the sensation
came to me that some one was walking
behind me. ! glanced around and saw
the figure of man walking on the
outside of the pavement about six
PAGES in my rear.
He was tall and clad in a long black
cloak, the end Of which was thrown
over his right shoulder in the Spanish
fashion and in such manner as to
conceal the lower half of his face. A
broad black sombrero was crushed
down over his brows and from be-
meath its Drim nothing but the tip of
thin white nose was visible. His APP
pearance at once brought my mind
back to the case on which l was en-
gagged, and | could not help wondering
whether this figure which looked so
singular in its Spanish costume in the
streets of London, was not in some
way connected with it.
AS | walked on | began to be some
what uneasy. There were so few peo-
pie about | thought of assassination.
| knew the murderous nature of the
"Navaja," and | was defenseless, not
having even the protection of stick.
Then again. | reflected it might be
that this man was some compatriot of
my client, who wished to make some
communication to me, but if so, why
did he not approach? | felt he was
still behind me, although his foot made
no sound on the curb.
Not relishing the close attendance of
the mysterious stranger, l crossed over
20, 1,A 9th s,iI 10 Of tlA or
at least, | would be better able to OBJ
serve his notions but before | had
got half way across | was aware that
he had also left the pavement and was
following me at the same distance as
before. All this was sufficiently singu-
lar and perturbing, for | now felt GER
tain that the man was following me.
To make quite certain l presently
crossed the street again, and, sure
enough, there was my pursuer at the
same distance at my heels.
l now resolved to take action, and,
turning myself sharply around, | ask
ed him what he desired of me. TO my
CONSERVATION there was no one there!
l rubbed my eyes. | walked n few
PAGES back. | examined one or two
doors which l had just passed, but all
were securely fastened and there was
no trace of the mysterious figure in
any direction. l asked myself what it
could mean.
But where had the man vanished to-?
An uneasy feeling began to take pos
session of me. | am not superstitious,
but the apparltion was so extraordinary
in itself and its disappearance so un-
accountable that | felt cold shiver
traverse the region of my spine. Pres
emily | walked on, a good deal be-
wildered and upset by my experience.
When | reached home, in the little
well-like courtyard before my own
door stood the figure silently awaiting
me. My heart stood still for a mo-
with the inscrutable being that had
haunted my homeward journey. There
was something so sinister in the mans
aspect, something so dauntng and un-
canny in the silent persistence with
which he had led me to my very door,
that | confess / was terrified, and my
heart began to flutter in my bosom.
l did not know how to act. l tried
to speak, but my tongue refused to
utter Il sound. Something had to be
done, however, and | advanced a few
PAGES. The figure Immediately turned
and disappeared in the black archway
of the passage to my stairs.
| finally went out at the other door
of the inn, and, being quite unable to
overcome my fears, went and put up
al hotel for the night. | passed n
restless night and only fell asleep at
dawn, and it was II O'Clock before |
awoke.
When | arrived at Staple inn the
first person | saw was the night porter
Lord bless me, Mr.. Percival," said he,
running toward me, II am glad to see
you. We thought you must be killed.
We've had terrible smash here. Have
you your keys? We We're just going
to break open your door, for we could
get no answer"
BY this time ve had arrived at my
Ipn, ttrba CT hrn yn1