The daily Alaskan., 1907-01-04
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HIS LORDSHIP


 Ing across St. James park one day, head mp, glass In his eye and his cane held at the proper angle, some one ran against him and cried out: Dear, dear me, but what fortu- nate meeting! Why, my dear fellow, I was just on my way to your club to hunt you up."
 The speaker was a young man like Mir. Fletcher. He was got up after the same pattern.
 Now. my lord, old boy, those curios have arrived from Egypt, and my ruan Is unpacking them. l want you to see the collection and give lne your opln- ion. Rather have It than any other mans in England, ye knaw."
 Mir. Fletcher saw that the stranger had made a mistake, but he Slushed with pleasure. He had not only been mistaken for an Englishman, but for a lord. Instead of explaining the situa- ton he let the other go on with:
 And you'll give me an hour of your time and an opinion on my collection! If you don't fancy 1t, I'll sell the whole business at auction. Only a step, ye knaw. but heres cab |.
 Il think I should explain to you began Mir. Fletcher as the other seized his arm. But before he could go fur ther be was at the door of the cab.
 The ride lasted only ten minutes, and during that time the stranger did all the talking and flew from one sub feet to another so rapidly that Mir. Fletcher had no show to explain things. The cab rattled up to tine mansion, which might have been the town house of a duke, and arm In arm the two aScended the steps. An OO- seouious servant admitted them, they passed upstairs, and two minutes later NIr. 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 ne sat. Ills ankles were tied to the chair, so that he couldn't get up again In hurry. A gag was laid on the table at his elbow. X 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 if do.' shouted NIT. Fletcher. who was beginning to wake up ar last.
 Then call me Brown. It's all the same. you know. Nov. my lord
 Il am not a lord"
 "There now. Mir. Fletcher. l want to have few minutes conversation with you. Owing to certain stock invest ments that Were i'll advised l am at this moment ant of what we Amer leans call the =. Hful. I shall be com pelled to ask you for the loan of at least 5000. If you cut up nasty the figures will be doubled
 Then you brought me here in broad daylight to rob me-
 As you sS". No game could be safer. Partly furnished house to rent. and after laying my plans l took it and paid one-Quarter in advance. said laying my plans. It did not re- ouire any great aStuteneSs. l knew your weak point. you see-have heard 1t discussed in New York many time
 What do you mean by my weak 0nint:" asked Mir Fletcher.
 Wanting to he taken for an It. When called you my lord back there n the park you just glowcd from head 70 heel. I've been following you around or week. and the plans you have taken , make an EngliShman and suOb out If yourself have been highly amusing. You have convinced several hotel wait ,rS that you are born ass
 You ruutemptible Scoundrel, I'll make this outrage cost you your liberty for the next twenty years." exclaimed NIT. Fletcher as he tried to rise up and fell back. A man may be an ass and vet not q coward.
 Gently. my lord" replied Jones' Brown. You may have the sense to see that you are helpless. lt you should make a nuisance of yourself my nan might take 1t personally. Al [ waS saying
 I'll never give up a cent
 As l was saying, my lord. l have pressing need of $1O0OO. The figures have doubled. you see. AS I 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 it iS. Will you kindly i'll out q check for tue amount named:"
 No. You may murder me frst.'
 "A check for S15,O0O, my lord. Henry. you nay come in with your pistol. My lord is inclined to be a nuisance. I will give him five minutes to i'll ouU this check. If he still re mains obdurate you may begin firing at his fingers. Take them cue by one. Help yourself to the wine my lord"
 Mir. Fletcher must be credited with waiting four minutes before he began