Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-05-15

/ had some time before this found
out that | was being followed again.
The two men who had logged my
steps on the previous night were do
ing so again, though the reason for
their action was no more apparent.
However, | had laid my plans most
carefully, and hoped, if all went well,
to be able to satisfy myself upon this
point. l had plenty of enemies, /
knew, as a man of my profession
must of necessity have, but l could
not think of one who would pry upon
my movements like this. At last the
time came for action. Turning into
side street, / slackened my pace in
order to give my pursuers time to
come up. Apart from ourselves the
street was quite deserted, and, if
they intended doing me harm, was
quite dark enough to favor their
plans. | could see as well as hear
them approaching. Then, when they
were close upon me, | slipped my
hand iuto my coat-pocket, and
turned and confronted them. My
own man was softly coming up from
behind.
Now, my men," I began, whats
the meaning of this? No, you can
keep your distance. It's no use
thinking of violence, for I've got you
before and behind. Take care that
they don't get away, Wilson!"
"Aye, aye, sir" the man replied.
"I'll take good care of that"
taller of the two men, and as he did
so took a step towards me.
do you see this?" l inquired pro-
ducing my revolver as L spoke. Il
am aware that it is not lawful to car
ry firearms in the streets of London,
but when one has to deal with gen
tlemen like you, it becomes neces-
sity. Throw up your hands"
They did as they were ordered
without demur. Then turning to the
taller man l addressed him more par
ticularly.
"You seem to be the leader" said,
"and for that reason | want to have
little talk with you. Your COM
panion can take himself off as soon
as he pleases. If he does not, let me
assure him that he will get into
trouble. Your intention to out me-
as you call it, has failed, as you can
see, and when / have done with you
| don't think the attempt will be re-
peated. Now get OF, my man, and
thank your stars that / have let you
go so easily"
Never were the tables turned so
quickly or so completely on a pair
of rogues, and the man l addressed
seemed to think too. After a whis-
pered conversation with his compan-
ion, he walked away at his best pace,
and we saw no more of him.
"Now," l said, turning to the fell
low who was left behind, you will
come along with me to my office, and
well have a little talk together"
Our prisoner would have resisted,
but certain warnings / was able o
give him induced him to change his
mind. When we reached my office ]
opened the door and conducted him
to my sanctum. while Wilson fol-
lowed close behind and lit the gas.
He then passed into the outer office,
leaving me alone with my prisoner.
On closer inspection ne proved to be
a Durly rutlian, and would doubtless
have proved an ugly customer to
tackle alone. He. in his turn, looked
at me in some interest and then at
the door, as if he We're half inclined
to try the effect of a struggle.
First and foremost, do you know
where you are and who l am?" l
asked him.
"No," he said, "I can't say as ever
I set my eyes on yer afore last night,
and 1 don't know yer bloomin' name
or what yer are and 1 don't
want to-"
"Politeness is evidently not your
strong point" L commented. Just
look at that"
Taking sheet of note-paper from
the rack upon my table l handed it
to him.
He did so, and I saw look of sur
prise steal over his face. He looked
from it to me and then back again
at the paper.
Fairfax" he said. "The d
| i'N' 'iiC 9dIliC do gu pun old I'iiiJ
Whitelaw scragged last year"
81 certainly believe I had that
honor" l returned, ''and it's just
possible, if you continue in your
present career, that l may have the
pleasure of doing the same for you.
Now, look here, my man, there's
some one else at the back of this
business, and what i want to know
is, who put you up to try your hand
upon me? Tell me that, and I will
let you go and say no more about it..
Refuse, and / must try and find some
evidence against you that will rid So
ciety of you for some time to come.
Doubtlessit will not be very difficult"
He considered a moment before he
replied.
"Well," he said, ''I don't know as
how / won't tell you, seein' you're
who yer are, and / am not likely to
get anything out of the job. 1t was
a rare toff who put us on to it. Silk