The Washington herald., 1907-03-17

Private and Placed Under Arrest.
Edinburgh, March 1s.-Debonair Lieut.
Tryon. who mysteriously disappeared
from the Hotel AIetropole on the early
morning of January 81, has for three
weeks past been the darling recruit Of
the Seaforth Highlanders in Edinburgh
Castle. Now, as explained In the Daily
Mail yesterday. to the great regret Of his
comrades, he is guarded as a prisoner in
the castle.
II was at the beginning Of the fren-
zied search for him by private detectives
and Scotland Yard that on Thursday,
February Z, a tall, clean-shaven young
fellow walked up to a recruiting ser
geant in Stirling. and after an introdue-
tory word remarked: II would Ike 70 en-
list in the Seaforth Highlanders" The
recruiting officer, with keen eye for a
fine man. regarded the young six-footer
as a find He asked him particulars as
TO himself.
My name is John Fraser" said the =
young man. "and for eighteen months
WAS more conversation. the upshot OF
which was that the stranger was given a
railway warrant for Edinburgh, and on
February found himself with the Sea
forth Highlanders at Edinburgh Castle.
an accepted recruit. He entered himself
as having been born In the parish oe
Waterloo. London. and his trade or pro-
fession as that Of a Iaborer.
John Fraser soon proved himself no or-
dinary laboTer. A giant in physique. he
had the upright carriage and the 1.-The
movements Of the athlete. Critical drill
sergeants turned an approving eye on
him. He was really a wonderful recruit.
Within a week John Fraser had been ten
tatively selected TO beat the big drum.
though It was fated that he should never
reach that honor.
Scrubbing the Floors.
His comrades liked him very much be-
cause. speaking and behaving as a cuI-
tured man, he yet showed nothing in the
shape Of 'swagger" In athletics he ex-
celled. and he carried out his new duties
as though to the manner born. On get
ting up in the morning he would quickly
make his bed. and after recruits drill
would take his uurn at the ordinary duties
Of The newly Joined soldier. helping to
carry IN the food OF his colleagues, sweep
ing the floors, and scrubbing them. The
men were instinctively impressed with
John Fraser, and IN the course OF q week.
or two he became a favorite He put on
no airs. visited the canteen with the 9TH
ers, but nevertheless gave little or no in
formation about himself
Il was IN the Canteen on Monday even
ing last that there arose a dramatic scene.
A lance-corporal was reading a paper
which contained a portrait OF the missing
Lieut.. Tyron, and suddenly looking up at
Private John Fraser. near him. called his
attention 10 the picture and the strong
resemblance.
The new recruit turned not q hair.
Smilingly he admitted that he and Lieut.
Tryon were one. The men were stagger-
ed into silence But then came the sur
prisiug thing. These staIwart Scotsmen,
having found a~good man. had no idea OF
telling tales about him. The news spread
ike wildfre. amC1g the Highlanders. but
although many scores knew Of the iden-
tity Of John Fraser. all kept the news
religiOusly from the authorities. How il
eventually crept out is not known. but
two days later. on the Wednesday night.
John Fraser was placed under arrest
Under the name Of Lieut.. TryOn he still
remains under arrest.
COIonePs Statement.
The following statement was issued YES
terday morning by Col Macintosh. com
manding the regiment: Private Fraser,
who enlisted three weeks ago into the
Seaforth Highlanders, quartered at Edin-
burgh Castle, has been identified as Lieut..
Tryon. who absented himself without
leave from his unit at Gosport. He Is
at preseEt detained at Edinburgh Castle
Speaking yesterday, Col. Macintosh re-
marked: Il do not think there IS anything
else 10 say A large number Of the men
knew Of his Identity. but they kept 1t to
themselves. Now. all I have TO do is de-
tain him. What action the authorities
win take I cannot say. As to any ex-
PLANTATION Of the Heutenants action, I
have heard nothing"
Break. the sergeant major CT the Sea-
forths, a splendid specimen Of the muscu-
lar Scotsman. was a little detected yes
ltEGuy. ou ought To- nave seen MIN
QieUt. TTyOnl walking at the end OF
that detachment of recruits on parade.
He was great. There was only one other
man the regiment To equal him in ply
siqU said the sergeant major sadly.
A .ellOw- private with Lieut.. Tryon re-
marked on the ease with which he did his
military tasks. You ought 70 have seen
him sewing the buttons on his clothes.
He did it perfectly" Another private re-
marked: zone Of the smartest chaps we
ever had a splendid fellow" and a ser
geant added; He was just the man for
our big drum, and we shan't get another
Ike him" Altogether. an air OF melan-
choly lies over Edinburgh Castle.