The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09


there was one occasion when | un-
consciously played queer part in
big affair, and whenever ! travel on
this line the circumstances come
vividly before my minds eye, and
experience a strange feeling of ner-
vousness which, try as | will, can
not overcome.
It happened one night in Decem-
Der, a good many years ago, when
was young on the road. ! was travel
ing by the evening train from Euston
to catch the midnight boat at Liver
pool for Belfast.
arrived at the terminus on the
stroke of the hour, and barely had
time to get my ticket and fling myself
and bag into second smoker before
the train moved Off.
There were only two other passen-
gers in the compartment, occupying
the ends of the same seat; so, with
sigh of relief, settled myself down in
a corner and prepared to. enjoy cigar
and the latest evening paper.
Before starting to read | took
look at my fellow passengers, for
have always been fond of chat, and
can generally spot likely talker at
once. However, there was little pros
pect of anything of the kind. for
both were middle-aged men of re-
served appearance, who would hardly
deign to notice a youngster like my
self. The one opposite to me, a
clean-shaven man with professional
air, was buried in his paper; while
the other was lying back in the far
corner with his cap over his eyes,
smoking a big cigar, and apparently
half asleep.
We had got as far as Rugby with
out a word being spoken, when | sud
denly felt my foot logged in pc
culiar way, and, looking up, met the
keen glance of my professional-look-
ing neighbor
Excuse me, SIR" said he, with an
odd smile. would you mind ex-
changing papers? see you have ex-
hausted yours.
Certainly" said I, slightly sur
prised, and we swapped accordingly,
while he gave my toe another warn
ing kick.
Imagine my astonishment when |
saw penciled on the margin of his
paper these words:
Keep calm. I'm Scotland Yard
man. Our fellow traveller is Burn
side-you know who. Warrant for
his arrest waits me at Liverpool; but
may have to secure him before we
reach there. Rely on your assistance
if necessary. Speak to me in refresh
ment room, Stafford"
OF course l knew who Burnside
was--everybody did then. You may
remember he was Lord IS secre-
tary, who absconded with her lady
ships diamonds, and made big stir
at the time, though the affair was
hushed up afterwards.
l was pretty cool in those days, and
read the words over again before
permitted myself to take peep at
the redoubtable Burnside himself. He
was still smoking lazily, and was evil
IDENTIFY unconscious. of the proximity
of danger. For a week he had eluded
capture, aad the last item of news
was that the police were still working
on clue some days old. The very
paper l held contained paragraph
to that effect carefully marked in
pencil by my detective friend.
You may gness l was terribly ex-
cited by the time we reached Stafford,
where five minutes stop was made;
and no sooner had the train pulled
up than l pocketed the paper contain
Ing the strange message, and hurried
off to the refreshment room.
A minute later the detective Joined
me, lounging up in a careless style.
Don't look round,' he said hes
over there at the coffee counter. If
he suspects anything he'll bolt. He's
expecting some one at Crewe, l fancy,
for he sent wire from TIE telegraph
office at Euston to party there, and
! overheard the clerk asking him
about some figures in the telegram
1854, they were"
"Why, that's the number of our
compartment" l said.
Exactly. It's sure to be message
telling some one to meet him, and, il
so, the pair of them may give me
trouble at Liverpool
what do you mean to do, then?'
"Collar him as soon as we start
from here, strap him up, shove him
under the seat, and when his precious
accomplice arrives at Crewe I'll pitch
yarn to him about his friend being
in another part of the train. TheI
he'll board the train, and at Liver
pool the police can formally arres
my prisoner, while follow the othel
chap to see what the game is. Yoi
see, don't know which of them ha
the booty, and that's the main thin,
we're after"
"But supposing some other pasen
gers have already entered our com
partment?"
"They can't. I've made it all righ
with the guard. Times nearly up
better get back. must buy a coupl
of strAss. You'll help. if necl sary?