The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-10

w Inc bXlleS, one Oh MS SlIOH5-
~ er short stories, paints a scene
of the lack of the rule of law" in Tan
gier that is slngularly reminiscent of the
general principles underlying the arrest
of Paul o. Stensland in the Moroccan
capital.
Keen lawyers declared yesterday that
the so-caled ARREST" had no legal stand
ing, as there is nothing to make a war;
rant from the state of Illinois of any
value whatever in the Sultan's dominions.
Assistant States Attorney Olson want
ed his man and he got him. That was
all there was to it. Stensland, to evade
the law, had fled to land where there
was no law.
In Mr. Davis story the defaulter, Win
throp Allen, of New York, loots trust
company, and just before the crash fees
to Tangier, carrying with him 100000 in
cash. OF this sum 100000 is trust funds
belonging to Miss Martha Fields, an old
New York school teacher Henry Howard
Holcombe, a reform assistant district at
torney, chances to be in Tangier when
Allen arrives there. He learns that the
embezzler has old Miss Fields cash with
him, and in a sudden burst of anger re-
solves to get the money in a manner that
would not do In a land where the law
rules.
Telling the rest of the story in Mr..
Dayis words it runs as follows:
"Holcombe slipped the revolver into his
pocket and passed on quickly to a room
on the second floor of the hotel He
Holcombe pushed it back with his Shout
der, and, stepping quickly inside, closed
1t again behind him.
1.-THE man within, into whose presence
he had forced himself, confronted him
with surprise, which increased as he rec
ognized his visitor. Winthrop Allen was
of erect carriage, with white hair and
whskers, cut after an English fashion,
which left the mouth and chin clean
shaven. He was of severe and dignified
appearance and gave in his bearing a
look of an elderly gentleman who had
lived in a self-respecting, well-cared-for
and well-ordered life.
"Holcombe shifted the weight of his
body and closed his hands ON the door
knob behind him. I had a letter about
you from home tonight Allen he be-
gan comfortably. The person who wrote
it was anxious that I should return to
New York and set things working in the
district attorneys office in order to bring
you back. It isn't you they want so much
as -
"'How dare you refer to my misfof-
tuner
:" Your misfortunel What rotl' Hol-
eombe growled resentfully A man who
has robbed people who trusted him for
years, as you have done. can't afford to
talk of his misfortune. You were too
long about 1t, Allen. You had too many
chances to put It back You've no feel
ings to be hurt.
"Mr. Hocombe' interrupted Allen
earnestly, 4 do not want any words with
you about this. l am here owing TO a
combination of circumstances which have
| led me through hopeless. endless trouble.
What l have gone through with no one
knows. am greatly to be pitied, Mr.. Hoi-
combe greatly to be pitied. What do
you think 1 am, anyway? A child that
you can insult? I'm not prisoner in the
box for you to browbeat and bully, Mr..
l am out of your Jurisdiction now. You
are a very important young person at
home, Harry. But New York state laws
do not reach as far as Africa
"Quite right; that's 1t. exactly said
Holcombe with cheerful alacrity. I'm glad
you have grasped the situation so soon.
That makes 1t easier for me. Before leav-
ing New York you converted bonds and
mortgages belonging to Miss Martha
Field into ready money. You must have
it with you now in this room. And this
5000, which belongs to the best, purest
and kndest woman I have ever known,
is going back with me tomorrow to New
York
Are you drunk? cried the other
fiercely. DO you propose to turn highway
man and thief? If you make a move to-
ward me I'll call the people of the house
and expose you. Do you suppose I'd let
you leave the country with my money?
III have you dragged from your bed this
very night, or I'd have you seized as you
set foot on the wharf. I would appeal to
our consul general. AS far as he knows,
| am as worthy of protection as your
self, and, failing him, I'd appeal to the
law of the land.
"'You poor thingl interrupted Hol-
combe. DO you know where you are? You
talk, Allen, as though we were within
sound of the cable cars on Broadway AS
for the law of the land, there is no law
of the land. That's why you're here. You
are in place populated by exiles and out
laws like yourself, who have prayed upon
society until society has turned ana
frightened each of them off. like a dog
with his tail between his legs. The man