The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-11-09

COlldIS, anu lucItlUIe Ie SlIusSlCu luIu
to push away his tormentor and re-
move the Objectionable neck piece. But
all to no purpose.
To his surprise, he found his arms
weighted down rs IL with lead. His
prosecutor coolly continued to fit on the
collar, and finally, having done this to
his satisfaction. pushed over his head
until the top edge of the collar cut into
his neck and was choking him.
Caruthers used every endeavor to
raise his arms, but in vain. Great drops
Of sweat seemed to drain down his face
all the time he felt the little old man
passing his hands, which were plump
and smooth. over his body. thrusting
them now into his pockets. now inside
his vest and again pulling at his fin
gers.
All at once, however, even the desire
for resistance left the dreamer, his sem
satlons became dull and he fell again
into unbroken sleep.
His next sensation was when his eyes
began to feel the light and he slowly
became aware of a dull. dead feeling
in his arms. fulness Of the head and
Il dry contraction of the throat. After
while he was sensible of the motion
of his resting place, and at last his
eyes took in enough of what was about
him to show him that this was no hab-
erdashcr's shop. but the inside of n
railway carriage travelling at high
speed, that there was no high collar
about his neck, and tlrat no little old
man stood opposite him.
But it was some time, nevertheless,
before his brain became clear enough
to appreciate that all he seemed to
have gone through with lately was
only dream. and that he now was in
the 7.f5 express from London, and
probably-how many hours on his jour-
ney?
He slipped his fingers into his waist
coat pocket for his watch. Then, with
an exclamation of surprise, he raised
himself quickly to his feet and some
what weakly stood there feeling for the
handsome hunting case which he could
find nowhere.
1t took him but a minute 10 realize
this, and also that the gold cuff buttons
he had worn, and his diamond scarf
pin were gone, and that curious stone
studded ring had disappeared from the
little finger of his left hand.
They all had gone; but where? A
sudden recollection of The old bent man
who had entered the compartment just
before their departure and been his si-
lent and apparently Indifferent travel
ing companion, made him peer closely
into the corner in which that figure
had been curled when he last saw him.
But the corner was empty now.
AS Caruthers' glance moved quickly
over the opposite seat, however, one OBJ
iect caught his eye. He picked it up.
1t was a handkerchief. innocent of any
markings, but smelling very strongly,
as he instantly became aware, of chic
| roform.
The pungent odor told Caruthers all
he needed. 1t was a complete confir-
nation of the theory which had flashed
upon him at first. He had been robbed
and in all likelihood by the little old
man who had been his companion.
Caruthers pressed his face against
| the window. He was familiar with
the country through which the train
was passing, and he soon saw where
he was. The express was fifty miles
out of the metropolis, and by schedule
must have made q stop at R, about
ten miles back. 1t was there, he de-
clded, that the thief had got out
AS soon as the guard had opened the
door of his carriage at the next sta.
ton, half an hour later, Caruthers
Jumped down, and, dashing into the
telegraph office, quickly dispatched a
statement of the facts to the chief
Of police at R. His message offered
a generous reward for the apprehen.
sion Of the rascal and the recovery OF
the articles of which he had been
robbed, with the least possibly pub.
liclty.
Two hours later, arrived at his des
tlnation, he left the train, took han
som to police headquarters and notified
them that dispatch addressed in his
name might be received from R
n such dispatch did come, II was tC
be sent 10 B. Hotel, lie ordered
Then he was driven to the hotel, and
having engaged room, turned In ant
quickly fell asleep.
IL was o'clock in the morning wheI
| he was awakened by n knock on IN,