Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-08

said. "If you'd step up maybe the gen.
tleman would let you see it..
She turned and we prepared to fol
low her. when suddenly a taXicab stop
ned in front Of the house and a man
dashed out at full speed and was up
the stairs with. a bound. He was
breathing heavily and his face was
ashen gray as he esried US. We recog'
nized him Immediately, in spite OF a
nair Of heavy spoctacies and newly
shaven upper lip. 1t was Randall the
English secretary.
"non't let them H." he shrieked, and
nrecipitated himself upon us with such
fury that we all three fell to the floor
while the landlady screamed and
,,,.vod ber arms over US in a strange
sort of benediction.
"It,s no use, Randall" said Crewe.
TIE Games up. Eetter come upstairs
quietly"
"rake that, curse you," screamed
the secretary, aid snapped revolver
in his face. BY some miracle the ball
fai,ed to reach it's destination; it bur.
led itself in the woodwork of the door.
Next moment we had disarmed and
tr,ssed the man. He confronted US
ma,ignantly, his face like putty, the
breath hootinG from between his lips.
"Coine, Rand A." said Crewe quietly,
"it might be far wor1e than it is, you
know. 1t might be murder"
: 81 wish TO God it We're" snapped the
Enelishman, vindictiyely.
Now suppose you go ahead and we
will follow you" said Crewe, pressing
the revolver into the small Of Randalls
back. Now, madam, will you kindly
give YOUR lungs a breathing space? It's
no use calling police for we represent
the central Office"
Randall sullenly proceeded up the
stairs, we following. At the top Of the
first fight he stopped in front Of the
parlor.
SILLY old fool. I told him to keep
his eyes peeled" he muttered. WALK
in. gentlemen" he continued, standing
aside. .
After you," said Crewe, pushing him
into the room. We followed into a
mainly furnished apartment, contain
ing large bed, three chairs and q
writing table. Several pieces of Eng
lish baggage were upon the floor,
packed ready for departure, and seated
at the window, looking toward us with
a heavy face of mingled fear and doubt,
was an elderly gentleman whose ex-
preston seemed familiar to me, though
| could not recall where had seen him
before.
Crewe stepped forward with a laugh
and took the heavy face between his
hands. Next moment lie stepped back.
In either hand was false, blue-black
whisker, which he had peeled from the
skin.
''Langton," he said, mockingly, "al-
low me to present to you our esteemed
friend, Sir NOTeSDy 6lOuHl.
The expression upon the financier's
face was comical to witness. All his
dignity had deserted him, and he
lonned back in the chair, breathing
stertoriously, apparently in acute and
craven fear.
1--WE nearly missed you, Randall
said Crewe, turning to the secretary.
Tell me one thing. Have you present
ed the check for payment?"
mo" Randall growled. THAT was
to have been the last thing done"
81 thought So" answered Crewe.
Payment has been stopped. You
would have been arrested at the bank.
We had you either way"
well what are you going to do?''
asked Randall, biting his lips nervous
ly.
The answer was supplied by the I'M
ceremonious bursting open of the door.
A couple of policemen stood upon the
threshold and, behind them, peering
over their shoulders alternately, was
the face of the landlady.
II think we can fight the matter out
at the police station" Crewe answered
The trial of Blount and Randall was
of course, one of the cs uses celebres OF
the year. Having recovered the
amount of it's insurance the Salaman
der company decided not to put itself
to the expense Of prosecution, since
in any event the first claim upon the
prisoners would have been that Of the
federal government. The Arizona de
yelopment scheme proved to be 81
gantic swindle. Blount was placed
upon trial and sentenced to serve
seven years in the federal prison al
Atlanta, Ga, while Randall, his tool
escaped with a sentence Of three years
1t was disclosed at the trial that
Blount had been implicated in a sim
liar series of shady transactions IN
England. The crash of the Arizona
scheme was followed by the collapse
Of seven Of his banks in London and
the provinces. If the English govern
mont presses for his extradition when
he is set free by the American govern
ment, doubtless a further sentence will
befall him.
1t appears that, rendered desperate
by the impending crash of his fortunes
Dlount had conceived the desperate
scheme of feigning death, in order tc
obtain the insurance money and start
life anew in some other corner of the
globe. The plan had been laid skilful
ly; the journey to America, where
there was none to identify him posi-