Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1902-12-26

| idly, re-entered the tunnel which had
been the scene of the strange incident,
anu in less than half an hour l reached
the station. 1t was dimly lighted, for
| the next express train, the 1906 up"
was nearly due, and there were several
officials upon the platform.
I went up to one, an inspector. and
briefly told him what had happened
Dear, deari OF course. I remem-
| Der. That was Mr.. Erasmus Bateman.
| He belongs herea rich man, greatly
| respected; has the big stores in High
street. He was in a hurry to catch
| that train, for he was going down to-
night for the great timber auction at
| Hull tomorrow. He buys lot for his
| furniture factory-that is, he did.
suppose / ought to say. Poor Mr..
Bateman! He was heavy, overfat for
his age, and he ought not to have run
SO FAST
would he be likely to have much
| money on him?'' asked.
why, yes; likely enough He was
| his own buyer, and he always bought
| for cash.
Here was motive for foul play.
saw the disappearance of this second
passenger explained. Bateman had
died suddenly almost i'll the other
mans arms.
If evilly disposed it would be but the
matter of a moment for the latter to
get possession of purse and pocket
book and all valuables--everythin IN
fact--and make off. leaving the car
riage at once. even at the risk of his
life.
1t was pretty plausible theory
enough, and put it before the inspect
or with the whole Of the facts.
TN inclined to agree with you, sir.
always supposing there was any such
man." he replied. ''Your tunnel story
is a big mouthful to swallow
There he goes" whispered, clutch
ing at the inspectors arm and point
ing to the tails of a check ulster dis
appearing into the booking Office. HE
must not see me: he might recognize
Inc as having been in the north ex-
press. But go-slarp's the word. Find
out where he's booking to and take
ticket for me to the same place. Here
are couple of sovereigns. You'll find
me in the waiting room"
He came to me there, bringing q
ticket for Kings Cross, the other
mans destination.
Travelling UP, no doubt, by the 1906
midnight express. due in London at
2.40. Mark you now. inspector. want
you to telegraph to Scotland Yard and
ask them to have a detective on the
arrival platform to watch for our
gentleman in check ulster and flap
cape and stop him.
~Mention my name; tell the Office to
look out for ME. and Wen arrange fur
Their together"
An electric bell sounded in the sig
nal box and the inspector cried: Here
she comes! You wait sir. till the last
I'll mark the ulster down TO his car
riage and I'll put you the next door.
You must be on the lookout at Peter
borough and Finsbury Park. He might
get off at one of those stations"
mo fear" said, as 1 got into the
the inspector that lie had better tele-
graph also to York, giving the de-
ceased's name, and inform his rela-
tons in Grantham.
My man. in the ulster did not move
on the way TO town. | was continu-
ally on the lookout, alert and wakeful
watching in every tunnel we passed
through for some confederation of my
former experience. In the flying train
probably at this time of night every
one but myself was sound asleep. The
lights We're certainly reflected onto the
brick walls. but no action or incident.
Nevertheless, | was now quite con-
WINGED that / had made no mistake as
to what I had seen,
was close behind the check ulster
directly it's wearer alighted. SO was
my friend Mountstuart, the detective.
to whom. as he ranged alongside, /
whispered:
Take him straight to the nearest
station. I will charge him there will,
robbery from the person. Mind he
does not sling Throw away any stuff. -
Except for my caution l believe he
would have got rid of fat. bulky
pocketbook, but Mountstuart caugh,
him in the act and took it from his
hand. He began to buster, shouting
What does this mean? How dare YOU
interefer with me? Who are you?"
You will hear soon enough said
Mountstuart, quietly. I'm with YOU
We are going TO Portland road"
never saw man so dumbfounded
He was dark-eyed, lantern jawed
cadaverous looking. and he was shiver
ing. no doubt with the sudden shock OF
his unexpected arrest. He gave his
name at the station as Gregory Car
stairs, commercial traveller, and II
came out that he had mad business
dealings with Mr.. Bateman. The
temptation had been irresistible when
he held the dead man in his arms to
search and despoil him He thought
, = vas quite safe: no once could know
of his presence in the carriage, and
tie sudden death would be attributed
to natural causes.
His possession of the stolen property
was enough to secure his conviction for
theft. the only charge pressed, for
/ Il -