The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-08-26
A CASE OF HEDGING,
By GEORGE HERBERT BONN.

hurrying to get through with subject
before the building should be closed for
the night. An examination was be.
fore me the next morning and there
would be no opportunity to return to
the dissecting room for some time to
come. had finished every member
except foot when time was up. and.
stufiing II in hand bag used TO carry
needed articles between the city and
the place lived in the suburbs. ! left
the room. intending to finish my work
at home.
On my way made one Of game of
whist In the smoking car with three
strangers. Finishing rubber just as
my station was called. ! hastily picked
up my bag and left the train. On
reaching home tossed my satchel on
table. made my toilet and went down
to dinner. In the evening ] went up
to my room to go to work. What was
my establishment and chagrin on TAX.
ing up the bag to discover that 1t was
not mine
was In a pickle. Whoever had
taken my own satchel on opening il
would be Mortified to discover hu.
man foot. The fact would be reported
to the police. and II the owner could
be identified ] would be subject TO o
charge Of murder, followed by an ef.
fort TO get rid OF the corpse piecemeal
The wise thing to have done was
to report my loss to the police at once
thought OF this. but before doing SO
concluded 10 look into the bag ] had
taken with view to discovering the
owner. II was locked, and I was
obliged to force It.
The only articles IN It were burglars
tools.
"well.'' ! said to myself. whoever
has taken my satchel IL not likely TO
report his find. since by doing so he
will incriminate himself. There is no
necessity for my giving the subject
any further attention"
Were 1t not for one Of those strange
condolences that are continually hap
pening my story would end here. A
year after my exchange Of satchels
my house. or. rather. my fathers. was
robbed. ] followed one OF the men
downstairs. where they had turned on
the lights. and caught him by the
coattaiI Just as he was going out the
front door. He turned and gave me q
blow which knocked me down. He
made his escape. but during the brief
instant saw his face recognized
my partner at whist on the journey
when ] had exchanged satchels.
wondered whether he had recognized
me. but Il occurred to me that he had
not. for the light was at my back.
Two more years passed. One day
while on train a man took seat
beside me. and when looked at him
I recognized my partner at whist and
In the same man the burglar who had
robbed my fathers house. My first
thought was 10 summon the conductor
and have him telegraph ahead 20 the
police. My second was 10 turn up my
coat collar and pull my hat down over
my eyes so that the burglar would mol
know me. Then remembered that he
had only seen me once since when
had grown beard Thus treasured.
made remark TO him. He replied
and we entered into conversation.
Now. II occurred 70 me that should
| make n charge Of burglary against
him would stand in a vulnerable po.
sltion. lie had been possessed Of my
subjects foot. and was uncertain
what. II any. use he would make Of Il
to establish countercharge. con.
ciudcd 20 discover II possible what BIZ
intentions might be IN this respect.
told him the story Of the exchange Of
saichcls as having happened TO a
friend Of mine. lie turned and after
fixing sharp glance on me said cool
~:
II see you are the man with whom
played whist and who went or with
my satchel."
"And you are the man who robbed q
house In NJ. two years ago and whom
caught by the coattail and recog.
nlzed as he passed out. suppose | give
you awayT"
you'll stand trial on charge Of
murder"
81 can easily prove that ! was q
medical student and was taking III,
foot home for dissection"
"Not SO fast. please. To head yor
on ! learned Of a missing man and
secured evidence 20 prove conclusively
that n man Of your description was
seen 10 murder the person who bad
disappeared. Then turned over youl
satchel with the foot in IL TO the 20
lice"
Suddenly II dawned upon me how
foolish had been not 10 report th,
case myself. II would have blocked
my opponents game.
eff you report me-" he continued
persons supposed TO be unknown &
me will inform the police of your iden
tity with the man whom my witnesses
saw you murder. You will be arrest
cd. tried and the best OF circumstantla
evidence furnished TO prove that yol
had a grudge against him. murdere,
him and intended TO protect yourself
In case OF discovery by the fact tina