The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-04-18

!.
Snuyzer? Want an introduction to
the Metropolitan police? Why, GER
tainly. Rookie nit's no use asking
what you're after? Big case?"
He was friend and had often
given me information in a small
way. l thought perhaps ne might
help me now, for I'd heard from
you they were mostly Americans
working this conspiracy, and it was
likely enough they'd know at the
consulate whether any big toughs
and bunco men were In London
just then.
'It's something to do with the
M'Faught millicns," said. you've
heard. no doubt, of that young
Englishman's luck?"
"Scissorsi why, yes. He was
here this very morning only an
hour ago." ut was then about 1
o'clock) Capt. VIM. Aretas Wood,
they called him. Is he your client? ?"
1t hit me like blow, this news,
for I saw at once what 1t meant.
Capt. Wood could not be lying in
jured in a street off the Harrow
road and walking about Great st.
Helens. wanted no more proof
of foul play.
1--WE are acting for Capt. Wood.
Case of attempted fraud. They've
soon found he's fair game. But
what brought him here, If l may
ask?"
"Some question of legal powers.
Granting attorney to representa-
tives in New York, assigning GER
tain properties by deed to trustees.
Legal business. The law, you
know. requires the signature to be
given in the presence of the United
States consul"
"You saw Capt Wood, did you,
yourself?"
why, certainly. A man worth
millions; he interested us all. Took
it quietly enough, though. Rather
ordinary sort of sportsman. Tall
enough, but no show about him.
For so rich man he went very
plainly dressed-only derby hat
and a business suit"
Handsome young man. Ell? Tall
fair. hold himself well?" L sug-
gested
why. no! Rather mean, should
say. Fair, yes; thick-set, coarse
looking; but had no talk with
him. He and his friends were in
the inner room with the consul
himself"
His friends?" | hazarded.
81 suppose so, but he might have
found better. There was that Law
ford-Jimmy they call him. don't
know much about him-nO good,
anyway. And there was Col.
M'Quay, who ran the Cyclostoma
swindle out west, and a little black
faced Spanish chap, who looked
hungry enough to eat him, clothes
and all. If you're friend of Capt.
Woods, SnuyZer, Id warn him
against being too thick with that
crowd"
WARN him." said to myself as
| walked away from the consulate.
"If he'd listen to me he would have
never got into this fix"
| Much as | had been surprised by
the promptitude with which these
INSCRIPTIONS foes had got him into
their tolls, I was now amazed with
the breadth, the boldness of their
scheme.
1t was as clear to mem as if
had seen it all in print. To seize
sequestrate, securely hold their
lprisoner, with heaven knows what
added i'll usage-it might be make
Iaway with him utterly-while his
double, some cleverly set-up Sec
ond self, their puppet or confeder.
ate, personated him, acted for him
making ducks and brakes Of his
fortune, acquiring every red cent
that was movable and within reach.
without fear of interference or
| retribution, provided only they
kept fast hold of their prey
My next moves were clearly and
imperatively marked out for me.
| AS l passed along the Strand
called in at Norfolk st. No sign
from Joseph, so all was presum-
ably without change in the Strath-
allan road. Next to Charges st.
| Time was getting on. Close on 3
p. H., anu uotHihS uoHc 40 yot Al
Mr.. Woods behalf. I was impa-
tient, eager to act for him; and
yet i knew | must proceed regular
ly.
The man Savory had returned
and I knew by his face that he
hal drawn blank in Laburnum St
OF course, no Mr.. Wood was
there. | did not require to be told
that. Savory was also satisfied
now, a good deal on the evidence
of the collie dog, which had taken