The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-03-13

HttD, L plOCeSteu. ~ QuiIe Clooc-
not half dozen miles,
II don't want you to teach me my
duty, and I'm not going. I've got
first of all to keep time. Why should
I 60 back?'
"To identify the dead mamie got
IN at Grantham-and to give lnforma.
tion as to the man who got OUT
"Oh, hosh!" cried the guard. "There
was no man-no one but yourself, and
you've got to come along with me, and
that pointed to the corpse
"on to York"
II certainly shall not 60 on with the
train. I shall go back to Grantham
alone. There is no time to be lost.
The other man.
| thought the guard would have
struck me. He was obviously ready
to lay violent hands on me, and he re-
peated that he meant to take ME on to
York, if necessary by force.
You've no authority. You're not
police officer, and | am, or as good,
for / am government official. Here
is my card. Let .hcre be an end of
this. | think you are wrong in going
on, but at any rate shall walk back
to Grantham by the line. Be so good
as to look after my things in the next
compartment" and with that l alight-
ed and left the guard rather crestfallen.
Within few minutes, walking rap
idly, I re-entered the tunnel which had
been the scene Of the strange incident,
and in less than la f an hour r,acl ed
the station. 1t was dimly lighted, for
the next express train, the - 0G 'up,''
was nearly due, and there were several
officials upon the platform.
went up to one. an inspector, and
briefly told him what had happened.
"Dear, dear! Of course. / remem-
ber. That was Mr.. Erasmus Bateman.
He belongs herc-a rich man, greatly
respected; has the big stores in High
street. He was in hurry to catch
that train, for he was going down to-
night for the timber auction at Hull
tomorrow. He buys lot for his fur
niture factory-that is, he did, l sup
pose | ought to say. Poor Mr.. Bate
man! He was heavy, overfat for his
age, and be 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 a motive for foul play. l
saw the disappearance Of this second
passenger explained. Bateman had
died suddenly almost in the other
man 8 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-everything, 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 l put it before the inspec-
tor with the whole of the facts
"I'm inclined to agree with you, sir,
always supposing there was any such
man, he replied. "Your tunnel story
is big mouthful to swallow
"There he goes" | whispered, clutch
ing at the inspectors arm and pointing
to the tails of a check ulster disappear
ing into the booking office. "He must
not see me; he might recognlz. me as
having been in the north express.
But go-sbarp's the word. Find out
where he's booking TO and take ticket
for me to the same place. Here are a
couple Of sovereigns. You'll find me
in the waiting room"
He came to me there, bringing a
ticket for Kings Cross, the other mans
destination.
"Traveling up, no doubt, by the
l. O6 midnight express, due in London
at 2.4O. Mark you now, inspector, |
want you to telegraph to Scotland
Yard and ask them to have 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 we'll arrange fur
ther together"
An electric bell sounded in the sig
nal box and the inspector cried: "Here
she comes! You wait, sir, till the last,
iii mark the ulster down to his car
riage and I'll put you the next door.
Y ou must he on the lookout at Peter
borough and Finsbury Park. He
might get off at one Of those stations"
II