Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-02-13

l@H .@aA 49, -
much II a likeness
The two officers seized me by either
shoulder and began 10 urge me for
ward out Of the station. As we
marched into the road a rider on horse
back came Gathering up. Immediately
he saw me he refined In and dismount-
ed. Saluting respectfully. he said:
"Her majesty has dispatched me
after jon. sir. In the hope that should
catch the train and commands that you
present this document also with the
others you have In your possession
THE detectives were staggered, and
the man. finding that did not take the
document from him. looked down and
saw the handouts.
What does this mesnr he said TO
the detectives,
LIT means ! interrupted. that !
have been arrested 10y mistake for
some criminal who. owing to a likeness,
pretended or real TO me has gained
possession OF my special train 10 Lon
don and In now making good his es-
cape
1T was the work Of but a brace OF
seconds for the detectives TO release
my hands, muttering apologies the
while. | unbuttoned my coat, showed
them my credentials and the document
with the royal seal ON II and demanded
TO know. now that they had success
fully. interfered with the transaction OF
the queens business through their
laundering idiocy. whether they were
prepared to set me at liberty.
The men were overwhelmed with
the seriousness Of the fault OF which
they had been guilty. and their con
sternatiou was not decreased by the
knowledge that the real criminal was
speeding away at the rate OF nifty
miles an hour toward London. The
frst thing to do was to telegraph for
the fugitive train TO he stopped AT
Staines. but the detective who hurried
of 10 do this came flying back with the
intelligence that the wire had been cut
about four miles out OF Windsor.
IL tlttt alOtutl rpttiai W b' nav
| inquired Of the station master, who
was by this time worked up into n
frenzy Of excitement.
"'No. sir he said. but there is an
engine at your service II you would not
mind making the journey In that. She
is very fast and will do the Journey w
well within thirty minutes
what time will the special takeT
"'Fifty-eight minutes he replied.
"'And how much start has sheT
"'Twenty. I've minutes
"'Then we ought TO catch up with
her. replied.
"'Just about. sir. You might some
where the other side OF Richmond II the
engineer pushes the engine all he can.
Then bring Der alongside at once
said. And within two minutes we were
of. the detectives also being on board.
Il stepped up TO the side OF the en-
gineer.
Now I said to him as we got cleai
OF the station. 1t 10 worth go to yor
and f10 to the fireman II We draw VI
with that special before Waterloo Il
| reached
"I will do my best said the driver
and, turning TO his mate. he directed
him to pile all the fuel possible on the
fire.
THE plates grew redhot with tn,
aerceness OF the furnace that roaret
within, and on we went at speed sucl
as never Travelled before and hop,
never to travel again. That engine tor,
over the rails like demon possessed OF
demons, and we chung breathessly Il
the iron ledge before US
AS we approached Staines the detec
tive drew out a notebook and, still cling
Ing with the hand with which he helt
the book TO his support. scrawled with
the other hand rough message II
ran thus:
Station Master. Staines:
| wire Twickenham to stop special trair
ahead.
HE had hardly finished writing wher
we clattered through Staines station
An official was on the platform, and a
him the detective threw q small silver
matchbox containing the message.
"The moon had risen. and we saw
trees and banks and telegraph poles
flashing past us like continuous streaks
Through Asford and Feltham WI
dashed at a terrific speed and rumblet
with a roar like thunder over the littl,
bridge beneath which ripples the Crane
on It's way to feed the Thames. Still M
sign of the special. But mile farther
on the engineer gave shout of tri
umph.
There she is! There-right ahead
Just slackening down to go into Twick
enham. The message has reached Their,
all right, l know, and perhaps she ha
been delayed outside with the sigma
against her. Yes, that is it. There Il
the red light. Now we shall capture OF
quarry!
"Tt was as he said. The train hat
been brought almost to a standstill. IL
few moments we should be close upol
her. The detective could scarcely con
tain himself for very delight. For me
would mean a momentary delay II
changing from the engine to the special
but that would soon be accomplished
and should continue my journey IL
comfort.
"Our engineer signaled to the man ir
front by means Of the hooter, the imme
date result Of which was a still greater
slackening of speed.
'At the same time our man shut of
steam and applied the brake.
"And then aS we were dra wing Slow