The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER M.
NNE morning [ was engaged in the
~ principal workroom with my en-
ployer. We We're alone. Old
File and his son we're occupied in
the garrets. Screw had been sent to
Birmingham, accompanied, on the usual
precautionary plan, by Mill. They had
been gone nearly an hour when the
doctor sent me into the next room to
moisten and knead up some plaster of
Paris. While l was engaged in this oc-
cupation, l suddenly heard strange
voices in the large workroom. My
curiosity was instantly excited. I drew
back the little shutter from the peep
hole in the wall, and looked through it.
I saw first my old enemy Screw, with
his villainous face much paler than
usual; next, two respectably-dressed
strangers, whom he appeared to have
brought into the room; and next to
them young File, addressing himself to
the doctor.
Il beg your pardon, sir" said my
friend, the workman-likesfootman; but
before these gentlemen say anything for
themselves, I wish to explain, as they
seem strangers to you, that | only let
them in after 1 had heard them give
the password. My instructions are to
let anybody in on our side of the door il
theytcan give the password. No offense,
sir, but I want it to be understood that
: l have lone my duty
: Quite right, my man. said the doc
: tor, in his blandest manner. You may
! go back to our work.
ALLOW us to introduce ourselves" be-
gan the elder of the two strangers.
> Pardon me for q moment" inter-
> posed the doctor. 'Where is Mill?' he
u added, turning to Screw.
: Doing errands at B-arkingham,,
u answered Screw, turning paler than
ever.
We happened to meet your two men,
and to ask them the way to -,our
u house" said the stranger who had Just
d spoken. 'Thi man, with a caution that
does him infinite credit, required to
know our business before he told us. We
= managed to introduce the password
3 Happy-go-lucky'-into Il answer. This
OF course quieted suspicion; and he, at
| u request, guided us here, leaving his
, lelloW-Workman, as he has just told
you. to do all errands at Birmingham
i While these words We're being spoken.
l l saw Screws eyes wandering discon-
4 tentedly and amazingly round the room.
He had left me in it with the doctor be-
! fore he went out, was he disappointed
at not finding me in it on his return?
While this thought was passing
through my mind, the stranger re-
sumed his explanations.
1--WE are here" he said. ''as agents
appointed to transact private business,
out of London, for Mr.. Manasseh, with
whom you have dealings. 1 think?"
Have you any objection to let us
refer to your ledger?'
moi the least in the world. Screw,
go down into my private laboratory,
open the tabledrawer nearest the win
dow. and bring up a locked book, with
a parchment cover, which you will find
in it,"
AS Screw obeyed l saw a look pass
between him and the two strangers
which made me begin to feel a little
uneasy. 1 thought the doctor noticed it
too; but he preserved his countenance,
as usual, in a state of the most UNI
ruf1led composure.
"What a time that fellow is gonel'
he exclaimed gayly. Perhaps l had
better go and get the book myself"
The two strangers had been gradually
1esseuing the distance between the doc
tor and themselves, ever since Screw
had left the room. The last words were
barely out of his mouth. before they
both sprang upon him, n pinioned his
arms with their hands.
STEADY, my fine fellow" said Mr..
Manasseh's head agent. Its no go.
We are Bow Street runners (detec-
tives), and we've got you for coming"
The doctor submitted to the search
ing with the patience of a martyr.
."Screw. l Supposed said the doctor,
looking inauiringly at the officers.
EXACTLY" said the principal man of
the two.
What the doctor answered to this ]
cannot say. Just as the officer had
done speaking, 1 heard footsteps ap-
preaching the room in which I was
listening. Was Screw looking for met
/ instantly closed the peephole and got
behind the door. 1t opened back upon
me, and, sure enough, Screw entered
cautiously.
An empty old wardrobe stood op-
posite the door. Evidently suspectina
that I might have taken the alarm
and concealed myself inside it, he ap-
preached it on tiptoe. on tiptoe also !
followed him; and, just as his hands
were on the wardrobe door, my hands
were on his throat. He was a little
man, and no match for me. l easily
and gently laid him on his back, In a
voiceless and half-suffocated state
throwing myself right over him, TO
keep his legs quiet. When l saw his
face getting black, and his small eyes
growing largely globular, ! let go witl'
one hand, crammed my empty plaster
of Paris bag, which lay close by, into
his mouth, tied it fast. secured his
hands and feet, and then left him per-
fectly harmless, while 1 took counsel
with myself how best to secure my own
safety.
1 cautiously opened the p~eephole
once more.
The doctor appeared to be still on
che most friendly terms with his vigi-
LIANT guardians from Bow street.