Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-02


lay smothered in it. 1t was not later than
go in the afternoon, yet the lamps were
lighted only to throw sickly yellow beams
a few inches into the gray, dense air, where
they persisted miserably.
young man emerged from the door
of a comfortable looking house near Rus
sell Square. For moment he paused upon
the high steps in front of it as If half ex-
pecting that he would be called back Then
he glanced quickly at the knot of black
crepe and ribbon which depended from the
bell pull Indeed, he reached out his hand
as If to touch this grim decoration, but
quickly drew 1t back again with a shudder
Then he hurried down the steps. In a
moment he had reached point where 1t
would have been difficult for any watcher
from within the house to recognize his
features. An instant later and a few steps
more had taken him so far that even his
form would have been indistinguishable
from the windows.
He looked back. and for moment OBJ
served dimly the outlines of the building
Then they, too were yelled from his view
by the gray curtain of the mist.
He was a well-made young fellow of
perhaps eight and twenty, Immediately
dressed in black frock coat, gray trousers,
silk hat and patent leather shoes. Yet
deeply bronZed face could be seen, and
about his quick, athletic carriage, which
indicated the 1.-THE. strong muscles of the
active country man, rather than the thin
and 1aded sinews of the city dweller. But
his beard, black and strong, was precisely
trimmed to a point, and his hands were
carefully gloved.
He graSped In his left hand the double
handles of a large black bag, such as
might be used by man who travels long
distances competently. 1t was well worn
and emineutly practical looking. 1t had
been pasted by many labels of railroad
lines, steamship companies and hotels.
They showed that it had journeyed in South
Africa, and an expert could have traced
through them tours in Cape Colony, the
Free State and the Transvaal, as we'll as
on the steamers which ply between England
and the cape. The bag was not cumbrously
heavy for it's bearer did not lean to one
side. as do those who carry very weighty
burdens with one hand.
He walked rapidly. and there was indi-
Gated by his frequent turnings to look be-
hind him nervousness not at all compati-
BILE with his general air of complacent
health, prosperity and responsibility. He
made his way with some difficulty, due to
the all-pervading mist, to point fully half
mile distant from the house from which
he had emerged. There he paused and
stood at the curb. Once or twice a cab
popped cut of the fog. close at hand, and
the young man peered earnestly at it to see
II 1t were occupied. AT last he hailed
empty hanson, and, climbing in, told the
driver to take him to the offices of the
Royal Union Safety Deposit Institution
Once there-and because of the fog the
short trip was made neither quickly nor
easily-he dismissed the cab and mounted
the great stone steps. Inside he was greet
ed by the official In charge with evident re-
spect. and soon disappeared in the direc-
ton of the vaults, which burrow deeply be-
hind great gates of steel into mysterious
regions beneath the earth.
He carried his bag with him as he entered
fhe 6iy1lt- 1ie~Ia+ 4
of the treasure caves opening the steel
doors before him in answer to an officials
nod and after he had passed through lock-
ing them behind him. The sound of the
grating bolts and rafting keys Jared on
his nerves. Unpleasant possibilities were
suggested by them.
When he had reached a certain depart
ment of the great vaults he turned aside
into minor passageway, branching from
sort of underground waiting room where
were provided tables, at which customers
of the vaults who had taken their treasures
from their private drawers might examine
them at leisure.
His guide pointed out to him a small
drawer duly numbered and labeled in the
wall of steel This the young man opened
with key from his own pocket while the
guide discreetly withdrew. He took from
the drawer long, leather belt which
sagged. as if heavy in the middle as he
pulled 1t out. He had already unbuttoned
his coat and vest preparatory to buckling
the belt about him underneath these artt-
cles of clothing, when one of the custo-
dams of the place called out politely to
him:
I'm sorry but it's closing time, sir"
At the sound of the voice the young man
SHE'D like frightened horse. The watch
man glanced u him keenly. So pronounced
was the nervousness of the young mans
movements, and so white and startled was
his face, as he hastily rearranged his
clothing and placed the belt within the big
bag, that the custodian's wonder was
= n tIa4 rl,A sVirE4<
delayed at one of the outer doors until a
person in authority had looked him over
and vouched for the fact that he had had
a right to do what he had done and was the
real renter of the box which he had opened
The young man left the building and
hailed another cab His nervousness had
increased. When the driver offered to
carry the bag upon the roof of the cab the
courteousiy intended suggestion was re-
jected gruffiy.
The young man climbed in placing the
bag on the seat beside him. while he cast
glance of definite suspicion at the man
on the box. His agitation was suddenly
and sutkingly Increased by the appearance
OF a policeman close by the cab The Off
passed on.
With deep breath Of evident relief the
young man directed the driver to stop at
a public house.
ing for double measure of Scotch whiskey
and as he took 1t his hand trembled so
nouceabIy that II attracted her attention.
He drank the fiery liquor neat paused a
moment and asked for another glass The
barmaid again glanced curiously at him
Feeling that his pale face and trembling
hands really demanded some explanation
he said mendaciously:
I've been 4 bit shaken up by cab acct
dent in the fog
Smiling somewhat weakly he told her TO
put him up flask OF gin. Then he made
his way out into the fog and climbed into
the hanson with his bag
This time he babe the man take him TO q
telegraph office. There he sent a message
TO the house near Russell Square announc-
ing that II would be late at night before he
should return. In reality IL was of the ma
ture of final farewell He knew that in all
human probability he should not go back
that night at all, or ever.
AS he affixed the stamps TO the telegraph
slip vision of still form lying In the par
lor of that house passed through his mind
and he hesitated for a moment before he
passed the finished message to the clerk
There were strong urgings in his heart to
tear the message up and tell the waiting
driver to take him back at once So that he
might look again at his dead mother but
recognizing the futility of running such a
risk. he passed II in, and hurried out Then
climbing again into the hanson, he told the
driver to take him to the Charing Cross
railway station.