The Ozark spectator., 1916-09-01

could it be otherwise? It was not likely that cabinet ministers and ad- miralty lords and generals would ad- init me to their councils.
 I actually began to wish that could run up against one of my three enc lnents. felt that I wanted enor- nously to have vulgar scrap with those gentry, where l could hit out and f,atten something. was rapidly get ting into very bad temper,
 ] didn't feel like going back to my dat That had to be faced some time but as I still has sufficient money ] thought I would put it off till next day and go to a hotel for the night.
 My irritation lasted through dinner, which I had at restaurant in Jermyn street l was no longer hungry and let several courses pass untasted. drank the best part of bottle of Bur gundy, but it did nothing to cheer me. possession of me.
 Here was I, very ordinary fellow with no particular brains. and yet { was convinced that somehow l was needed to help this business through that without me it would all go tc blazes. ] told myself it was sheer silly cOnceit. that four or five of the cleversst people living. with all the might of the British empire at their back, had the job in hand.
 Yet couldn't be convinced. It seem ed as if voice kept speaking in my ear, telling me to be up and doing or ] would never speak again.
 The upsbot was that about half past Q l made up my mind to go to Queen Anne's gate. Very likely l would not be admitted, but it would ease my con- science to try.
 walked down Jermyn street and at the corner of Duke street passed a group of young men. They were in evening dress, had been dining some where and were going on to music hall. One of them was MT. Lancelot Brown.
 He saw me and stopped short.
 By God, the murdererw he exclaim- ed. Here. you fellows, hold him! That's Hannay, the man who did the Portland place murder" He gripped me by the arm. and the others crowd ed around.
 l wasn't looking for any trouble, bat my ill temper made me play the fool, A policeman came up, and 1 should have told him the truth and, if lie didn't believe it, demanded to be taken to Scotland Yard or, for that matter. to the nearest police station.
 But delay at that moment seemed to be unendurable, and the sight of Lancies in.oecils face was more than could bear. let out with my left and had the satisfaction of seeing him measure hts length in the gutter.
 Then began an unhOly row. They were all on me at once, and the police man took me in the rear. l got in one or two good blows. for l think with fair play l could have licked the lot of them. but the policeman pinned me te-
 
 on my throat.
 Through black cloud of rage heard the officer of the law asking what was the matter, and Lancie, be- tween his broken teeth. declaring that l was Hannay. the murderer
 "Oh, hang it allr' cried Make tLe fellow shut up. I advise you to leave me alone constable. Scotland Yard knows all about me, and you'll get a proper wigging if you interfere with me '"' l '''' h
 'Iou've got to come along of me, young map." said the policeman. T saw you strike that gentleman crool ard. Y4u began it, too. for he wasn't doing nothing seen you. Best go qnietiy pr I'ii have tQ fix yon up"
 Exasperarion and an overwhelming sense that at no cost must delay gave me the strength of bull elephant I fairly wrenchsd ths constable off his feet, tioored the man who was gripping my collar and set of at my best pace down Dyke street. l heard q whistle being blown and the rush of men be- hind m6.
 ] have Il very fair turn of speed, and that night had wings. In a jiffy I was fin Pail Mall and had turned down toward st. James park. lodged the policeman at the Palace gate, dived through press of carriages at the en- trance to the mall and was making for the bridge before my pursuers had crossed the roadway.
 In the open ways of the park put