Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-28

yards away from where he was sit
ting, a captive, all his worldly wealth
was in London and elsewhere-in
other names.
If he could only get out and get
away from Mannersley- He felt
inclined to curse or to kick himself
for not clearing off Immediately
after the scene with Phillipa. But
how could he know what was COM
ing? Even now he could not under
stand how these COMPOUNDED people
had found out.
While he sat there meditating. the
door Of his cell. after the loud turn
ing of key, was suddenly opened
and young constable, whom Stead
remembered as a boy. looked in upon
him somewhat shamefacedly. Stead
saw that this youthful person was
full of amazement and wonder to
find the cashier of Mannersley Mine
the church warden of Mannersley
Church. locked up like any common
drunk or casual criminal. Indeed
from force OF habit, the policeman
touched where his helmet should
have been.
beg pardon, sir" he said, "but the
superintendent he said as how I was
to ask you if you'd like some dinner
ordered in from somewhere.
could slip across to the Grapes, sir,
and get you a chop or something, if
you like"
Yes answered Stead. He put
his hand in his pocket, in which they
had left him such cash as he had
about him, and drew out half a
crown.
Yes. should like a chop and po-
tatoes and a little cheese and q glass
of ale. Get yourself a drink with the
change"
Thank you. SIR" said the officer,
taking the money. Sorry to see YOU
in this place. Mr.. Stead" he added
with a clumsy attempt at sympathy.
IT'S all n foolish mistake, for
which somebody will have to pay
heavily" replied Stead. by the bye.
is Mr.. 1llingworth anywhere about?'
NO, sir" said the officer. There
nobody about just now but me and
Constable Stevens in the Office
they've all gone TO dinner. Is it any
thing Stevens could do, sir?"
mo, no, it doesn't matter an
swered Stead. Il only wanted to ask
Mr.. Illingworth a question. I'll see
him this afternoon"
The young officer went away.
promising to bring the chop as soon
as possible. and Mr.. Stead resumed
his meditations. What a thing it
was, he thought, to be so near liberty
and yet so far from it, and what n
difference a locked door made, If
only he could get outside that door,
And then a sudden thought came
to Mr.. Stead, which made him jump
from his stool and begin to pace the
narrow confines of his cell with
rapid strides. He knew the exact
geography of the police station, for
he was friendly with the architect
who built it, and had often been
over it with him in the process of
building. He knew that the cell in
which he had been placed was the
last of a series of four in a passage
which terminated with a door at the
back of the police station: If he could
once get out of his cell into that
passage the opening of the door
would be simple matter. And once
outside
The thought of liberty, even though
he had only lost it for little more
than an hour, was so alluring that
il hraced his nerves like a strong
tonic. He buttoned up his coat and
prepared for action, reckoning up his
plan of campaign. To leave that cell
was the thing. but to leave the
young constable within it was the
step to be achieved. Once out Of the
cell he would be safe-for a while.
Constable Stevens in the office In
front would know nothing and hear
nothing for a while. He would try.