Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-26

NOW COME.
l felt, now come, so when he bent
forward to look more closely at the
document, | let go Of the thing and
struck with all my strength at the
hand that held the revolver ho3ing TO
cash the weapon aside. Had things
oeen as he thought they were. that
moment would have been my last. for
ne had, no doubt, expected some such
onslaught, and had made of his arm
very bar of iron, so that my blow
scarce budged the revolver an inch.
AT the same moment he pulled the
trigger, and, knowing what was COM
ing, shut my eyes and waited to
feel my life'rush out of the hyle made
by the bullet.
But, to his and my establishment
the revolver gave tongue to no more
deadly sound than a click. and. look
Ing down, l saw, to my amazement and
JOY, that 1t was my own unloaded re-
volver he was holding.
l had, no doubt, surprised him by
awakening while he was bending over
me, and. catching sight of my revolver
In my pocket, and having no weapon
OF his own, he had in all probability
snatched at IL, and had presented il
at my forehead, with what result the
reader knows
Again he pulled the trigger. and yet
again. Each time the weapon derided
him with harmless click. as il It
were, so to speak, putting it's tongue
in its cheek.
With an oath he flung 1t from him.
and at that moment the engine Of the
train whistied for the Stopbage at
Benfeet
I-uat settles the matter" said Num-
Der One, standing up 10 stretch him
self and then sliding his hands into
his trouser pockets negligently. I'm
beaten, and I'm ready to take my de-
feat like a gentleman and surrender
quietly. DO you intend 10 hand me
over to the authorities here or at
Southend?"
Il didn't say l was going to hand
you over to the authorities" | an
swered; I'm not a detective. But the
authorities at this hole of a place and
at this time of the night consist in all
probability of boy who takes the
tickets. don't think Wen trouble
him."
"As you like" he said, indifferently,
sitting down with outstretched legs
and looking at his boots critically.
"As you like, my friend. It's all the
same to me-"
made no answer, but when the train
was moving again after leaving Ben
fleet station he walked to the window
near which l was sitting and leant
but. as he said, to get breath of air.
AS he leant. resting on his arms, he
Kept up constant chatter of converse
uon, turning his head every now and
then to look at me-
pretended to be Indifferent to what
ne was saying and to his movements,
put L promise you that l kept a keen |
eye upon him all the same. And as
the event proved, l had reason TO sus- |
pect him, for when he turned round TO |
'ook back at me with some banter by |
which he hoped to distract my atten-
lion, he slyly slipped out a fist and |
-urned the door-handle. This done he
withdrew his head and walked to the
>ther end of the carriage
IN wish you goodnight, my friend"
le said. I'm going to open this door
Ind hang on to the footboard till the
rain is slowing off outside Leigh, and
hen I shall drop off and slip away"
/ very naturally sprang to my feet
o prevent him, when having got me,
Is had, no doubt, been his plan, be-
ween himself and the unfastened door,
Ie suddenly leapt upon me, TO push me
gainst 1t, and SO out upon the line
hut 1 was not the fool for which he
ook me, for, OWNING his purpose,
ropped suddenly down, so that miss
ng me he fell heavily against the
DOR, and the handle being turned, |
itched out head foremost upon the
ne.
Very quickly L shut the door again,
nd when we got TO Leigh I took his
az from the rack and giving up my
cket passed out The village was now
Imost In darkness, SO, turning in the
ERECTION whence we had come, skirt
/ the line till / came to a gate, which
climbed and walked back between