The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-11-03
HIS LORDSHIP


ing across st. James park one day,
head up. glass in his eye and his cane
held at the proper angle, some ono ran
against him and cried out:
Dear, dear me, but what a fortu-
nate meeting! Why, my dear fellow.
was just on my way to your club to
hunt you up"
The speaker was young man like
Mr.. Fletcher. He was got up after
the same pattern.
"Now, my lord, old boy. those curios
have arrived from Egypt and my man
Il uhpacking them. I want you to see
the collection and give me your opln-
ion. Rather have it than any other
mans IN England, ye knaw."
Mr.. Fletcher saw that the stranger
had made a mistake, but he bIushed
with pleasure. He had not only been
mistaken for an Englishman, but for a
lord. Instead OF explaining the sltua-
tlon he let the other 60 on with:
"And you'll give me an hour Of your
time and an opinion on my colIectlon2
II you don't fancy It, I'll sell the whole
business at auction. Only step, We
knaw. but here's cab"
II think should explain to you
began Mr.. Fletcher as the other seized
his arm. But before he could 20 fur.
Their he was at the door Of the cab.
The ride lasted only ten minutes,
and during that time the stranger did
all the talking and dew from one sub
Ject to another 30 rapidly that Mr.
Fletcher had no show to explain
things. The cab ratified up to a fine
mansion, which might have been the
town house Of duke, and arm In arm
the two assembled the steps. An OBJ
sequlOus servant admitted them, they
passed upstairs, and two minutes later
Mr.. Fletcher found himself menaced
by a pistol in the hands OF the second
man, while the FIRST was saying:
"Be gentle with him, Billy. He's far
from his home and mamma, you know"
He was ordered to sit down, and be
sat. His ankles were tied to the chair,
50 that he couldn't get up again In a
hurry. A gag was laid on the table at
his elbow, A bottle Of wine and a
glass were also placed there. Then the
man with the pistol. who seemed sorry
that there was no occasion to shoot
anybody, withdrew, and the other sat
down and observed;
"My lord, you may call me Jones'"
''I'm hanged II l dor shouted Mr..
Fletcher, who was beginning 70 wake
up at last
''Then call me Brown. It's all the
same, you know Now, my lord
II am not a lordF'
''There now. Mr.. Fletcher, want to
have few minutes conversation with
you Owing - certain stock invest
ments TINT were III advised / am at
this moment IN aant OF what we Amer
leans call the nEedful. l shall he COM
PEELED to ask you for the loan OF at
least $4,000 If you cut up nasty the
figures will be doubled"
"fhen You brought me here In broad
daylight to rob mel"
"As you see. No game could be
safer. Partly furnished house to rent,
and after, laying my plans l took II
and paid one-quarter In advance.
said laying my plans. 1t did not re-
qulre any great astuteness. knew
your weak point, you see-have heard
1t discussed in New York many a time"
"NYhat do you mean by my weak
polntfa asked Mr.. Fletcher.
wanting 60 be taken for an II.
When l called you my lord back there
in the park you lust glowed from head
to heel. I've been following you around
for week. and the plans you have taken
to make an Engllshman and a snob out
OF yourself have been highly amusing
You have convinced several hotel walt
ore that you are a born ass 100 'N'
You contemplate scoundrel! I'll
make this outrage cost you your liberty
for the next twenty yearsP exclaimed
Mr.. Fletcher "a he tried 70 rise up and
fell back. a man may b an ass and
yet not coward.
Gently, my lord" replied Jones.
/ Brown. "You may have the sense to
see that you are helpless. II you
should make n nuisance OF yourself
my man might take Il personally. As
was saying rN 's'
I'll never giye up . cent?
-As ] was saying. my lord. ! have
/ pressing need Of $4,000 The figures
have doubled. you see, As knew
/ you wouldn't have that sum In your
pocket had my man enter your room
at the hotel and get your check book.
/ Here II Il. win you kindly an out a
/ check for the amount nambdr'
'sNol You may murder me krstr'
"a check Tor $4,000. my lord.
/ Henry. you may come In with your
/ pistol My lord D. inclined 10 be a
nuisance ! win give him ave minutes
10 an out this check, II he stlil re-
mains obdrrate you may begin fring
It his fingers. Take them one by one
Mslp yourself to the wine. my lord"
Mr.. Fletcher must be credited with
waiting four minutes before he began
AlHag out the check. and he was some.
/ what defiant and sarcastic In his 70.
Z MARIA a. ha aetN.s.V,s4a.N hRn -.