The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-20

man advanced swiftly up the stairway
and turned into the groJtO- The time
for swift action had come, and Single
ton crossed the street on run. deter
mined 10 reach the place ia time TO
satch the man in the act of concealing
the envelope What ne should then do
was uncertain, but by biufing he might
frightsn the man into confession OF
some sort.
There was small opening on the side
of the grotto, and peeping through this
Singleton watched the man slip white
envelope in a cTevice under the roof.
Without hesitatng he slipped around
the corner and stood in the door just
as the man had stepped back and faced
about, Both men had their overcoat
collars turned up about their faces. and
their hats pulled over their eyes. Single
ton had taken the precaution Of wear
ing a black velvet mask over the upper
part of his face 10 avoid detection II
the man should know his face. After
the first swift intaking Of breath caused
by SingletOn's unexpected appearance
ne stood for a moment irresolute. appa-
rently undecided whether 90 escape and
leave the envelope or face il out. Sin
gleton advanced toward him without
word, and throwing open his coat dis
played a detective badge he had worn
for the occasion.
At the sight OF il the unknown man
cr0uched for an instant and then
jumped suddenly forward wrapping his
arms around Singleton 5 body 50 tightly
that he could not raise the revolver
he held inside his coat. The force OF
his leap carried them both back to the
wall striking SiEgleton's head against
the bricks. He recovered in \ instant
and releasing his hold on the revolver
managed TO get an arm free and closed
with his .issailant. Backward and for
ward they struggled across the floor
and every moment Singleton felt himself
getting the better OF the encounter He
had gotten his hand on the others
throat and was eXerting his ful! strength
10 carry him back 70 the edge OF the
fountain when their struggle carried
them 10 a spot where the snow had
swept in, making the hard floor as
slippery as ice. They both slipped Vat
the same moment and came TO the
ground, but In the fall Singleton's fore
head struck the sharp edge of the foun-
tain and everything became blank
The man scrambled 10 his feet and
bent 10 tear the mask from the face or
the supposed detective when he was
startled by the blowing or a whistle
and the sound OF some one running tow
ard the grOttO. Swinging around 10 the
door he saw one OF the night watch
men approaching on run, He delayed
long enough 10 leap 10 the bench and
Jerk the envelope from its hiding place.
/ then dashing out Of the opposite door
he raced for the street The command
OF the Waterman 10 halt was ignored
/ and caused him 70 merely swerve sharp
/ a. 20 one side. The next moment a
revolver shot whistled over his head and
! a second gTazed his arm as he reached
|tF, street Before a third shot could
I be fired he reached an alley and dis
appeared from sight before the man IN
pursuit could make up the distance he
I lad lost ia slowing up to fire at the
/ fugitive.
/ n was 10 o'clock on the following
morning when Singleton recovered con-
! seriousness and found himself In his own
rooms. His head felt as though a hun
dred hammers were beating on his brain.
As ne moved uneaslly in the bed and
placed his hand 10 The bandage around
mis- forehead his landladv crossed the
floor and handed him glass contain
ing some medicine which had been pre-
pared by the instructions OF a physician
TO his question OF how he had reached
his room. she replied that the Waterman
az the Capitol grounds had found hin
living on the floor OF The grOttO, anl
seeing the badge he wore had telePhOnec
10 the Detective Bureau. which sent q
man 10 Identify him. She handed him d
note which mad arrived BY messengei
about an hour before. lie opened Il
YEARLY and read the contents.
While attempting 10 hide an en-
velope in the grounds Of the Capitol
il read. 81 was attacked by a detective
managed 10 get away. bat the plan Of
concealng the four envelopes was spoil
ed il Won instigated the attack / car
only say that YOU are destroying the
only chance there S. of receiving ths
communication Of the late Major Black
ford. II there Is any further attempt
made 70 interfere with me in the per
Torrance of nay duty. / shall be Obliged
10 abandon the plans 1 am directed Il
carry out In the meantime I vii
make another effort on next Monday
viii hide four envelopes as I had IN
tended to-day. The first will be placed
Ola the first floor In one OF the largest
CFpartmeut stores of the city, shortly
after Il opens for bushes on Monday
morning. The store IS known. officially
bv the names OF the members Of tht
firm. IL is sometimes called by a nam,
which is that Of Northern city. The
other three envelopes will be bidder
about the same hour. The places fOi
conceaIing them Will be made known
10 Won later. / must warn you again Il
give up the attempt 70 interfere viii
my duty II you wish 10 receive th'
communication intended FOR Mrs. Alex
ander and her daughter. II you are 10
responsible for the attack last night,
must apologize for my suspicious
which you VIII admit are reasona BILE"
The blow which Robert Singleton haC
received was fortunately glancing one
AZ the end Of three days he felt sum
eiently recovered 10 venture out on tbs