Middletown transcript., 1910-02-05

about his friend being Ia another
part of the train. Then he'll
board the train, and at Liverpool
the police can formally arrest
my prisoner, while I follow the
other chap to see what the game
is. You see, don't know which
of them has the booty, and that's
the main thing we're after.
But supposing some other pas
engers have already entered our
compartment
They can't. I've made it all
right with the guard. Times
nearly up; better get back. /
must buy a couple Of straps
You'll help, if necessary?
Of course, said I, for the affair
was greatly to my liking.
We were just about to start
when Burnside, who settled down
in his corner, suddenly rose and
thrust his head out Of the win
dow beside us.
Guard! He shouted. What
time do we reach Crewe?
Eight-forty-tive, sir!
Good! Burnside took his seat
again, and the detective and I
exchanged glances. My heart
began to beat fast, and l braced
myself up for the coming strug-
gle; for Burnside was a powerful
looking man, and the detective,
though wiry and close-knit, was
much slighter in build. We would
evidently have a tough job of it, I
thought.
Just as the train few through
the third station beyond Stafford
the detective, who had been fid-
getting behind his paper, sudden
ly began to wipe his lips with his
handkerchief, and then rose as if
to get something off the rack.
With one bound be was on
Burnside and had him pinned in
the corner with his knee.
Quick, get his wrists! he said.
I jumped over and laid hold Of
Burnside's hands, just as he was
struggling to reach his pocket.
Then l saw that his face was GOV.
cred by the detectives handker-
chief, from which came a strong,
sickly odor. He struggled fright.
fully for moment or two and
then seemed to collapse.
It's all right now, said the de-
tective, but he very nearly had |
me plugged. Faugh! Open the
windows, quick, or we'll be suc-
cumbing to the chloroform our
selves.
| lowered the windows, and
none too soon, for already the
drug was beginning to make my
head swim. The detective, mean
while, was securing Burnside's
hands and feet with couple of
stout rug straps.
That's all right, he said, when
he had finished. You nabbed his |
hand just at the right moment. |
I'll mention your name in the
proper quarter If you'll give it !
to me, and who knows but you |
might come in for a recognition |
from his lordship!
l gave him my name, but on
condition that it would not be |
published in the papers.
Ill see to that, he said; and
now, help me to place our worthy
friend under the seat.
We lifted Burnside with some
difficulty and rolled him under
the over.hanging curtains, plac-
ing his head against the detec-
tive's black bag.
Good! said my alert companion,
but his arm shows trifle, so I'll
place the foot.w warmers in front.
There you are! Half a dozen
people might look into the car.
riage and never dream he was
there.
When he comes to, though,
he'll commence to shout.
I'll gag him just before we
reach Crewe. He'll be all right,
never fear.
Now that the crisis had passed,
began to grow cheerfully inter.
ested in the affair, and looked ]
forward with eagerness to the
second act in the little drama {
which was being played before
our eyes. +,
Sure enough, when the train
slowed up at Crewe, there was a 6
all, heavily bearded man stand.
ng on the platform inspecting
he numbers on the carriages.
You wait here while get the {
yuard to put a reserved label on !
his partment. We don't /
want the beggar in here if we +