The Washington times., 1904-12-18
The
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Blackford's letter was handed 20 Sin
gleton az few minutes after the next
morning and within twenty minutes
telephone message had been sent TO the
desk sergeant AT the First precinct. The
letter might easily be merely an attempt
al braV2do. but the police We're deter
mined 10 follow the chance on the hope
of finding their man asleep at the hotel.
II was o'clock when they entered the
lobby OF the building and commenced
their search. The clerk ~ the desk had
just come on, but in answer TO their
questions he Informed them that a man
answering the description they gave
was asleep in the smoking room where
he had az aarently been all night
Preceded by lieutenant the officers
entered the room and saw man asleep
in a chair az the corner Of the table
Ho was breathing heavily as man
breathes when ne Is sleeping off the
effects of intoXication. His head was
thrown back and Notwithstanding his
disUrderly appearance his clothing and
size answered the description that Sin
gleton had furnished. The lieutenant
advanced and shook the sleeper rough
ly. lie opened his eyes and took in the
situation. For a moment he made no
comment and merely passed his hand
across his eyes. Then he rose and faced
the group.
WHAT do you want2'' he asked.
Are You Mr Blackboard asked the
Lieutenant.
Il am"
Then L must tell YOU thar YOU are
wanted for the murder Of a man named
Stevenson who was seen in your com
pany the night he was shot You will
have 10 come with us"
The captive resumed his seat and
beckOned TO one OF the DellbOys who had
been attracted by the scene.
Go back To the bar and get me a
glass of whiskey," he said. Il VIII onls
detain you q minute" he remarked ad-
dressing the lieutenant, but / am not
very we'll and l feel the need OF a slim
ulant before you lock me up. L suppose. '
he added. THAT YOU got your tip from
Singleton. I wrote 10 him last night
was getting sick of the situation and
had no money 10 get out OF the city
He bowed his head on his arms and
waited for the return OF his messenger.
The officers stood about regarding him
CuriOusly. One of them whispered TO his
companion that she prisoner seemed TO
be game. There was absolute silence
while the boy returned with the glass
and handed IL 10 the man at the table
He drank the contents slowly and pro-
ducing a handkerchief passed il across
his lips. Then rising 10 his feet he turn
ed 70 the officer in charge and announced
that he was ready. Al the same time
he placed the handkerchief in an inner
pocket OF his coat. AS he drew his hand
out. there was something clut rbed
tightly in il. The lieutenant saw il and
Jumped forward 10 catch his prisoner s
arm. but he was a single second too
late. There was a fash and report and
BlackfOrd reeled backwards into the
arms of two of the policemen with a
revolver stiu pressed firmly 10 his side.
They supported him to a chair and
took the revolver from his nerveless
fingers. one of the men hurried 10 the
telephone booth and called up the am
bulance. Blackford noticed his action
and laughed weakly
Merely a waste of time" he said in
a voice that cholled with the blood
pouring into his lungs. II am a better
shot than you would suppose from ms
performance the other night. j know
how 10 shoot and where 70 aim. You
VIII never put me in a cell"
The lieutenant looked anxiously at
the wounded man. What he said was
evidently true. The blood was flowing
freely from the wound IN his side and
every time he coughed he chOked
violently and his mouth filled with the
fluid that was beins rapidly pumped
from his heart. He beckoned 20 the deu-
tenant 10 lean nearer TO him.
you had better get a statement from
me while you can" he gasped. Fiji up
a confession OF the murder of Ste
venson. and viii sign it while you are
waiting for the wagon
The ofncer wrote rapidly and read the
result 10 the dying man. who nodded
assent, and reached for the pen. With
a visible effort he slowly traced his
name across the bottom OF the paper
and leaned back in the chair, After a
moment he Strengthened up and asked
for a second sheet OF paper.
'I suppose il IS up 10 me 10 write 20
some OF my family" he remarked. Not
that I imagine they care TO hear from
me, but II is the usual thing under the
circumstances. have noticed that they
always do that sort Of thing on the
stage.
lie supported his head and attempted
to think. After a moment he dropped
the pen Wearily.