Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
Laverick's Narrow Escape

At precisely a quarter-paSt 4, nothing
having happened in the meantime but a
steady rush Of business, Laverick ordered
taxicab to be summoned. He then I'M
locked his safe. placed the pocketbook
securely In his breast pocket, walked
through the office and directed the man
! to drive to Chancery lane. Here at the
headquarters of the Safe Deposit Com
| pany he engaged a compartment. and
down in the strongroom locked up the
| pocketbook. There was only now the
document left. Stepping once more into
the street he found that his taXicab had
vanished. He looked up and down In
vain. The man had not been paid and
there seemed to be no reason for his de-
parture. A policeman who was standing
by touched his hat and addressed him.
Were you looking for that taxi you
stepped out of few minutes ago, SIR?
he asked.
Il was Laverick answered. Il hadn't
paid him and told him to wait"
II thought there was something queer
about it, the policeman remarked. Soon
after You had gone inside two gentlemen
drove up in a hanson. They got out
| here and one of them spoke to your
driver, who shook his head and pointed to
his flag. The gent then said something
else to him-can't say as l heard what 1t
I was. but it was probably offering him
| uOuDle IdTe. Ally way tHty Dolh 6Ol III
and off went your taxi, sir.
Thank you Laverick said. thought
| fully. 1T sounds little perplexinS.
! He hesitated for moment.
! Constable he continued Il have just
| made very valuable deposit in there and
| had an idea that ] might be followed:
/ / have still In my pocket a document OF
| great Importance. | have no doubt what
/ ever but that the object of the men who
| have taken my taxicab is to leave me in
\ oil 1ipdar rircIImCt a
! which will render quick attack upon me
| likely to be successful"
The policeman turned his head and
| looked at Laverick fncredulously. He was
more than half inclined to believe that
this was practical joke. Were they not
| standing on the pavement in Chancery
| lane, and was not he an able-bodied
| policeman of great bulk and immense
muscle. Yet his companion did not look
| by any means a man of the nervous
| order. Laverick was broad shouldered
| his skin was tanned wholesome color.
| his bearing was the bearing of man
| prepared to defend himself at any time
The constable smiled in a non-committal
manner.
| IF you'll excuse my saying SO, SIR he
| remarked. Il don't think this is exactly
the spot any one would choose for an as
| sault'
| Il agree with you," Laverick answered
| but, On the other hand, you must re-
member that these gentlemen have had
no choice. I stepped from my office direct
| into the taxi and j proposed to drive
| straight from here to the place where
| shall probably leave the other document
II am carrying with me. Why l have
Etaken YOU into my confidence is to ask
| you this. Can you walk with Inc to the
| corner of the street or until we meet a
| taxicab? 1t sounds cOwardly. but, as a
| matter of fact. am not afraid. l simply
| want to make sure OF delivering this
document to the person to whom 1t be-
longs
The constable stood still, little per-
! picked.
MY beat. SIR he said. "only goes
about twenty-five yards farther on. l will
| IL you desire 1t. At the same time. / may
say that l am breaking regulations. How
do I know that 1t is not your scheme to
L@et me away from this neishborhood for
sorSe purpose of your own?
"YoN don't believe anything or the
| sort" Gsverick declared. with = smile.
! II do not, SIR the policeman admit
ted. Keep by my side and think that
nothing will happen to you before we
reach HoIborn."
Laverick was man OF more than me-
dunn height, but by the side OF the police
man he seemed short. Both scanned the
faces of the passers-by closely-the ponce
man with mild interest, Laverick with al
most feverish anxiety. 1t was gray
| afternoon, pleasant but close. There
| seemed to be nothing whatever TO &C
count for the feeling of nervousness which
had suddenly come over Laver1ck. He
felt himself In danger-he had no idea
how or in what way-but the conviction
| was there. He took every step fully
alert absolutely on his guard.
Go be continued tomorrow)