St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-06-08

back One of them. unable to repress
C groan, held his hand to a broken
wrist, while from his helpless fingers
knife dropped to the ground.
A ponderous, hulking fellow about
six feet three, with a shock of red
hair and thick hanging lip, cursed
loudly. Obviously this one of his. as
sailants possessed immense, unusual
strength.
'Let me at him, yer he cried in foul
and fash tongue, when John Steele
suddenly called him by name, said
something in that selfsame dialect of
pick purses and their ilk The ruffian
paused, remained stock still.
SLOW the Who the man began.
'tCall Off your fellowsi" John Steeie's
voice seemed to thrill. 81 want to talk
with you. It'll be more worth your
while than any prigging or bagging
you've ever yet done"
''Wen, I'm blowedy' Suspicion
cleaned from the bloodshot eyes.
Sand you want to talk with me?
Here's gamey cover
81 tell you l must talk with you!
I've got a lay better than hooking you
for the dock. AS for the others, they
can go, for all of me-"
''Oh, they canr' The big mans face
expressed varying feelings-vague
wonder. At the same time he began to
edge cautiously away. ''That would
be nice plant, wouldn't it? Let's out
of this, blokies,' suddenly. "This cove
knows too much, and
'tWaitP' Steele stepped forward. 81
want you, Tom Rogers, and I'm going
to have you. It'll be guilds in your
pocket and not Newgate."
"Slope for it, mates!" The big mans
voice rang out. Around the corner In
the direction of the Thames the burly
figure Of a policeman appeared in the
dim light. That's his little gamer
and turned.
But John Steele sprang savagely for
ward. you fool! You'll not get
away so easily!'' he exclaimed when
one of the others put out foot 1t
tripped him. John Steele's head struck
the curb violently.
For some moments he lay still; then
he made out the face of policeman
bending over him.
'sThat was nasty fall you got, SIR"
"Fall?" John Steele arose, stood
swaying "That man must not es-
cape. Do you hear-must notY' AS
he spoke he made as If to rush for
ward. The other laid steadying fingers
on his arm.
"Hold hard a bit, SIR" he said. mot
quite yourself. Besides, they're well
out Of sight now. No use running
AFTER
Steele moved, grasped the railing
leading up the front step. His brow
throbbed; a thousand darting pains
shot through his brain. But for the
moment these physical pangs were
as nothing. Disappointment, self re-
proach, moved him. To have allowed
himself to go down like that-to have
Clumsy clodi And at moment
when
Pardon me, SIR" the officer said in
brisker tone, "but hadn't we better
go in? This, take 1t, is your house.
You can look after yourself somewhat
and afterward describe your assail-
ants; then Wen start out to find and
arrest them, If possible"
Steele loosened his hold on the rail-
ing. He appeared now to have recov-
cred his strength. That's just what
I don't want you to do. My name is
John Steele. You know of>meY And
as the other returned a respectful af-
hrmative, eft is my desire to escape
any notoriety in this little matter, you
understand" Something passed from
his hand to the policeman's.
Walking quickly up the steps, John
Steele opened the door, murmured a
perfunctory "Good night" and let him.
self in. But as he mounted to his
chambers some of the moments ex-
ultation that had seized him at sight
OF the man revived.
"He has come back He is herein
London. l surely can lay hands on
him. must! I willp'