Year: 1879


/ had lost the train. The next would
be the night express, so 1 strolled into
a billiard room. A man is just as safe
with fortune in his pocket as if he
was penniless, so that he is wise enough
to hold his tongue. There was some
clever playing going on, and l stood
watching the players till some one
challenged me to have game. If l
have one special vanity, it is my vanity
in handling the cue. accepted and as
been growing upon me, took a sudden
turn which startled me.


''The challenger was the man whom |
had noticed at the bankers. There was
nothing very strange in the fact of his
favOrite resorts, but | was possessed
by the vague shadow of single idea.
| had read somewhere of mans being
followed and plundered in a train, and
somehow associated the story with the
man before me. 1t was the first time 1
had ever paid him any particular atten-
ton, but l gave him full observation
now. The more | looked at him the less
| liked him. He was handsome, gentle
manly, with an elegant figure, full of
suppleness and strength. His manner
was singularly unassuming; but by
looking closely at him, you could see
something sinister-looking in the depth
and softness of his eyes.


81 never liked a stranger to be affa-
BILE and prepossessing, and my friend
was the very pink of affability and
grace.


"We played for an hour with alter
mating success. He was an amusing
companion, well-informed, and had
travelled, but was shy of conversation.
l left him, and still having some time to
spare, went to the Temple.


"When at the expiration of some
thirty or forty minutes, emerged into
Fleet street, almost the first person
upon whom my gaze fell was my antag-
onist at billiards.


81 thought there was something more
than mere coincidence in this second
meeting since we stood together at the
bankers. He was in a cigar store OPP
site, but with companion.


"Not hundred yards from the Tenn
pie stood man whom | recognized with
a very welcome feeling. 1t was George
| Vixen, the detective.


He was fashionably dressed, and
looked an aristocrat of the fist water
| went up, and, greeting him as | should
an old family friend, held out my hand
and said:


"'Come and drink a glass of wine
with me | have something to say"
"He shook hands in the most natura
way possible. | took his arm, and we
entered the public bar of an adjacent
hotel. l told him my suspicious, tOlC
him of the sum in my possession, and O
the journey had to perform by rail.
saw that, watching through the glas.
of the door, he was taking a mental
photograph of the two men.


"'They mean business" said Vixen
quietly but | shall be with you. We
must part at the door or they will SET
that we have scented the game"


"'And you,' l said, 'how will yor
act p


"T will travel to Liverpool by the
night express


'.He left me. l had no fear now
knowing him to be a clever and deter
mined fellow.


"Taking a casual glance across the
road, | saw my man with his compan-
ion. 1t was quite evident that they
L
them before reaching ST. Paul's.


Il strolled along the churchyard
wandering nearly to Islingten then
went through the city again before !
made for the station. My acquaintance
of the billiard room did not come in
sight, Though kept we'll on the alert.


81 took my ticket, lingering almost to
the moment of starting before entered
the carriage but my men did not ap-
pear. Two men were in the carriage
with me. | could not see the face of
one, and the other was Il stranger.


''The bell rang. The guard had just
time to put a bewildered old gentleman
in by my side, and we were off.


1.-The man whose face | had not seen
turned toward me. | could hardly re-
press an exclamation. There was no
mistaking that fair, frank, genial coun-
tenance, nor the lurking evil in those
eyes, whose softness was so sinister.
He had me then at last. Vixen had
broken his promise, and | was left to
travel the perilous journey alone, with
the man who had followed me 50 skill
fully, another who might be his cOnfed-
crate, and the old gentleman, who after
grumbling out his Indignation against
all railway servants and locomotive
travelling in general was soon fast asleep
in the corner.


"That the intentiosn of my billiard
player were bad we've manifested by
the fact of his having assumed a false
moustache and beard. They added to
the beauty of his face, but left to his
eyes that sleepy, cruel glitter that is
characteristic of the Asiatc.


''He spoke to me, remarked the Oddi-
ty of our being travelling companions,
and grew unpleasantly familiar | an
swered him not wishing to appear
churlish or afraid, knowing that | could
trust something to my own strength
should the worst come.


1--WE had made the last stoppage and
were rolling through the gloom, when
among other topics our conversation
touched on jewelry. He drew a showy
ring from his finger, telling me it was IL
curious piece of workmanship having Il
secret spring he said which l could not
discover.


81 took it, searched in vain for n
spring, and then returned it to him. 1t
dropped and rolled under my feet. |
stopped to pick it up, and so did he {;
but at that moment while my head was
down he had me tightly by the throat,
and threw me to the carriage floor.


Ills confederate was upon me in an
instant. | could scarcely breathe, and
could not struggle, for heavy knee
was upon my chest, and two strong,
brutal hands were crushing the life from
my throat.


"Though the horror of the situation
did not last II minute, it seemed an eter-
nifty to me. felt the ruffian's hands
searching for the pocket book, and |