The Washington times., 1912-11-01
CHAPTER XIV.
A Nocturnal Visitor.
TRAIN bound from southa

height hurriediy approached a cabman.
To the college" he said sharply.
Get there as quickly as you can"
The stranger carried q suit case, and,
despite The fact that the air was far
from chill. he was wrapped up almost
to the eyes In heavy ulster.
Which building, sir?" asked the man.
The stranger waived one Of his arms
impatiently.
"Any one of them will do" he ans
wered shortly as he stepped into the
vehicle. 2.
The man cracked his whip and the
horse started OF at lively gait. The
length the driver drew rein.
The stranger thrust his head through
one Of the windows.
well. man; what's the matter nowT'
he asked irritably.
Here is the head-master's door, SIR
explained the cabman.
The stranger hesitated.
Have you noticed whether anyone
has been following us2" he asked.
sNo. sir. / haven't seen anyone"
with sigh OF relief.
.s"Do you get out here. sir7" dueried
.Nomno. ! don't know anyone in
The cabman renewing, his hat. rub
v.
well. where do you want to go,
STRIP he asked.
& Where is the detective officer
"The. detective office? You mean
the ayD police station. sirT ~. =
"i'ii take you there. sir" s..
.Do. we have to drive back by the
"Yes, sir. It is in the city"
. Il want to see and speak with de-
'tective-a real man who has no fear
and who knows his business. DO you
why; Winchester is a small city.
abiding people The cathedral and
S9iisEe are about all we've sys got here
Tor what you might call real detec-
tives in Winchester: We--ah. yes.
there is one here, but he's not in
'Pride Of Scotland Yard you've heard
OF him. I daresay, sir-Joseph Kirk
wood, the man what let the Cricket
OF Leeds get away from him.
stances, but not the name. Take me
to Kirkwood. then.
,aHes Hes not not in in practice new. and he
.."I don't care II he's just out Of
hadesw the stranger retorted. "Take
me to Kirkwood, and be quick about
Very good, sir"
.."And keep your eyes behind you so
that yoG may, see whether or not
we're followed
Once more the cab got under way.
Six or seven minutes later 1t drew up in
front OF a little villa. The horse had
scarcely scar I, come % to a stop, however. when
the figure Of man appeared on the
threshold.
Here we are. SIR" said the cabn,an,
:, Once more the stranger thrust out his
:.I. this the placer" he asked.
Yes, sir. That is Mr.. Kirkwood In
the doorway. 1t looks as II he was ex-
pectin' some one"
4 The stranger alighted slowly.
I'VE haven't been followed?"
f mo. SIR"
Here's a sovereign for you, then. II
you will promise to tell no one you
have brought me here"
depend upon me. SIR" the man said
solemnly as he reached eagerly for the
gold piece the stranger was holding ou,
to him.
through little yard to the door of the
villa.
Are you Mr.. Joseph Kirkwood?" he
asked. addressing the man who stood In
:I am, sir replied the other calmly.
u want to talk with you. May
Certainty" Kirkwood answered with
The' former detective led the way to a
IS small reception-room.
Despite his misfortune and imprison-
ment. Kirkwood looked neither older
nor more careworn than when he was
sent from Scotland Yard to capture the
Cricket Of Leeds. He wore a red sriok-
ing Jacket. dark trousers and pair OF
loose slippers. He was stolidly putting
, at short brtar pipe as he placed O
large wicker chair for his visitor.
The visitor seated himself with a sigh
Of relief threw open his ulster and
turned down its high collar. He was a
lhabby cheeks, and alert, bloodshot eyes.
~ "Wen. sir, what can ! do for your
asked Kirkwood pleasantly, as he sat
down near the visitor.
1T want to engage your services"
A cloud passed over Kirkwoods face
and he looked thoughtfullv at the floor
"As a detective?' he asked.
well, that is your business. is It
"No. have no business now"
"Ah! so much the better! You will
be able to devote all the more time to
'T am not sure that I am prepared to
undertake any professional task Just
now. But before we proceed further, be
Kind enough. please, TO tell me who II
is to whom have the honor of speak,
ing"
the other promptly.
"The case ! bring to YOU Is rather
different from that with which the or
dinary detective has to do. It Is not
nv purpose to obtain evidence against
anyone or to cause an arrest. ! merely
seek protection against a man who de-
termined to carry out threat to take
my life. has followed me 10 England"
Kirkwood was looking at his visitor
with that strange expression Of indiffer-
ence which. in other davs. frequently
had irritated persons while they were
giving to him information concerning
some OF his cases
The former detective reflled his pipe
and lighted It before he replied.
"Ah! as take II. then. what you de-
sire are the services Of a person who Il
to be rather, more OF bodyguard thar
detective"
"I want man Of nerve who is cap.
able OF putting my pursuer of my
trail"
III he has threatened to take your
life. you NAV have him arrested. Any
. constable would be able to do this FOL
You. Is the man in Winchester"
mot yet. He was on Southampton
train for London-a train which I left
Onlv n few minutes ago"