The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-11-20

carriage. For the first moment he
thought he was a~loneTAthen he had a
misty Impression that he had weakened
up in another world and was looking
al himself-for opposite to him reading
his paper, with crossed legs and
naughty ~demeanOr, sat to all intents
and purposes the bishop of Steadmin-
ster! He saw it all now. This. villain,
housebreaker, diamond thief, or what
ever he might be, had conceived this
extraordinary daring plan for e1uding
justice. He would trade on his posses
sion OF a handsome beard to pass him
self off as. Or. Bigworth, and SO get
free of the station-perhaps OF London.
What was to be done? The real
bishop lay back in his corner think
ing out a plan OF campaign. He would
sit still ill the train stopped-noth-
ing was 10 be gained by argument
and give this audacious BLACKBOARD
into charge before he had time to
stir. He glanced ruefully at his plaid
trousers and rubbed his chin afresh.
VI Sopio SJ a u looh ouu, Jul lIelt
was sure to be some one on the train
who would know their own bishop from
a m~ake-believe. Yes, it all depended
on rapidity of action directly they had
reached their journeys end. He edged
a little nearer TO the door. The pseudo
divine went on calmly reading, and
seemed entirely unconscious that there
was anyone else in the carriage.
At last the train dashed out of the
open fields and in between rows of
smoky houses; then it slackened and
in a few minutes they had crawled
into ~Paddington. DR.. Bigworth,, with
q sharp movement, put his hand over
the door and clasped the handle with
his fingers. Fetch the guard" he
whispered to a porter, who had come
civilly up and said Luggage, sir?"
to his travelling companion. The
porter only stared at him and cup
pressed q smile. But at that moment,
as luck would have it, the guard
CHANGED to pass. Guard" cried DR..
Bigworth, eXcitedly, Il wish to. give
this fellow in charge. 1 am the bishop
OF Steadminster, though l am aware
l don't look exactly like him at this
moment. This villain has taken my
clothes, threatened me, sha-"
At this point the guard, who had
been exchanging signs with the false
bishop at the end of the compartment,
held up his hand.
Quietly, my man, quietly" he said.
turning round to wink at an inspector
who stood close by. "Oh, yes, you're
the bishop of Steadminster right
enough. Now, just let this other gen.
tleman get out-he's in a hurry-and
then you can tell me all about it."
But l am the bishop, l tell YOU
you fool" cried the exasperated di-
vine; TASK anyone in the train who
knows me-this mans an impostor."
The impostor meanwhile had quietly
gathered up his bag and the bishops
travelling rug. and was engaged in put
ting on the bishops hat. He bent
across and whispered something rapid
ly into the guards ear.
The guard touched his cap respect
fully. Eyes, m'lord," he said, defer
entially; IL hope he hasn't worried
you much, m'lord?"
Not at all-not at all" said the false
bishop, in a patronizing tone. IF l
weren't in such a desperate hurry I'd
try to find the poor fellows friends.
I fear he's escaped from somewhere.
Good-day."
And before his thunderstruck VIC
tim could attempt to recover from his
amazement he had pushed past, hailed
a hanson, and stepped into it. Seeing
his tormentor escape, DR.. Bigworth
dashed out and began to struggle furi-
ously in his attempts to rush after him.
The guard and four porters held him
back. Hes a criminal, / tell YOU"
he cried, in wild excitement; "a Grim
inal flying from justice. He's got my
keys and my Observation-Disclosures
my beard; he's"
BY this time a large crowd had gath
cred, and a couple Of policemen from
outside, attracted by the uproar, pro-
ceeded to force their stately way to
the center. us a strait WeSk1t e
wants, Bill" observed one of the by
ISLANDERS to another; thinks 'e's a
bishop, do 'e?" Now, yer reverence"
advised a cheeky boy in the rear, '.jest
go along quiet with them gentlemen.
They're a-going to take yer to West
minister Habbey."
The policemen. closed upon him, and
before the bishop could move again or
even expostulate he felt two powerful
round his chest, and a pair OF
hands in front seized his wrists and
snapped on a couple of handouts.
With a furious cry like that of a wild
beast at bay he made a mighty effort
% wrench himself free-something
seemed to snap, the crowd swan be-
lore his eyes, and-and-
The man in the. corner was still,
hers.4looking at him certainly, but
with a look of frightened surprise;
I beg your pardon, sir. inquired the
in the corner, timidly, ibid you
speak?n
sNo-no,n said the bishop, confused
II. mo; I ought to apologize, & be-
Iieve. I'm afraid-that is to say, I
Il. r. f,.s& rsInay, ~ H;r nara