Looters of the Public Domain/Chapter 17
Chapter XVII
BEING acquainted with a number of lawyers in the city, I had my friend consult a member of one of the prominent firms, with whom he made an appointment for me to see him at his residence that evening- at eight o'clock. Upon making known my identity, the gentleman invited me in, and we retired to his library, where I related the circumstances of my arrest and escape from Detective Burns and of my desire to secure a certain grip, which I had left at my former boarding house, together with a check for $1,022.
The attorney expressed the opinion that he could secure both grip and check for me without difficulty, so I gave him a written order on the landlady for them, and made an appointment with him to meet me on the following afternoon at a certain point in the city to which he was to come by street car and arrive at exactly two o'clock.
From my attorney's residence, I returned directly to my room, and retired for the night, and on the following morning, having decided to change my headquarters, I settled my bill and vacated.
Taking a street car, I went to South Boston, where I had breakfast and spent the forenoon about the steamer docks and lumber yards in that vicinity. After luncheon I engaged a horse from a liveryman whose acquaintance I had made earlier in the day, who furnished me with the best animal in the stable and one that he was accustomed to driving personally.
On my way to the point where I was to meet my attorney, I was particular to observe the surrounding streets and to make a note of those I might select in event of my being discovered and being forced to make a hasty retreat. I always had in mind that my identity might become known at any moment and I was cautious to be prepared for any emergency. I was commencing to feel, now that the exciting incidents of the past few days had left me yet free to my own sweet will, that I had taken some desperate and wholly uncalled for chances, and that in future it would stand me in hand to use a little more discretion regarding my conduct.
Upon arriving at my destination, I drove about for several minutes, as I was somewhat ahead of time, and as each car in turn made its appearance, I managed to be about two or three blocks away and at a point where I could observe if my attorney alighted, and at the same time note if anyone else got off, or was in a position to watch his movements or see what was taking place. When my attorney came, I drove rapidly toward him, and taking him in the buggy, we hurried away.
In response to my inquiry as to what success he had met with, he stated that he had secured the check, but that, being informed by the landlady that her house was being watched, he did not venture to remove the grip. He suggested that I give him the keys to the latter, so that he might secure such articles as I desired, which he said he would bring to me in his pocket. I demurred to this, as I did not care to have anyone handle my private papers and suggested in reply, that he call on my landlady again that evening, after dark, when he could wrap the grip, which was not large, with a number of newspapers, giving it the appearance of a bundle of some sort. He agreed to do this, so I indorsed the check which he produced from his pocket, and as we had now driven to a point on the main Hne of the Boston-Worcester street car, which was surrounded by some timber and thick underbrush, I suggested that he meet me here that same evening at 9:30, when I would receive my grip and the money and settle with him for his trouble.
I selected this point for the reason that it was sparsely settled, and had more or less timber and brush which would enable me to escape in event of his being followed by detectives. There was a gulch on one side which would afford me an excellent hiding place, and as this particular side was more thickly timbered than the other, I had no fear of being captured, even if my rendezvous became known.
As the car approached in the distance, my attorney alighted, and I drove back to South Boston and when within three or four blocks of the livery stable, I engaged a man on the street to return my rig to the barn, handing him half a dollar, and offering as an excuse that I had a pressing engagement and must wait at this point for a gentleman that I was expecting at any moment.
I took this precaution for the reason that, as stated before, I had decided to take no further chances, and as I may have been observed by some one who recognized me as the much wanted Mr. "Brownell" and who also identified the rig as one belonging to a certain liveryman, I did not propose to walk into a trap. After waiting long enough to note that the rig had been safely returned, I departed immediately for Cambridge, which I reached in a roundabout way and where I engaged a room for the night. After dinner, I walked in the direction of the point where I was to meet my attorney, thinking to get a little exercise and to pass the time away. Arriving there, I made a survey of the district and examined the timber and underbrush through which I might be called upon to make good my escape, and as I had spent the greater portion of my life in the woods and timber, was very much at home and experienced little difficulty in determining upon several routes, through any one of which I could make my way, as necessity might require.
As it lacked but a few minutes of the time when my attorney should arrive, and a car was already in sight, I secreted myself where I could have a full view of the street where he would alight, but as the car did not stop, I drew a little closer to observe the faces of the passengers as it went by, and noticed that only a few ladies occupied the seats. I must now wait for another car, which would arrive fifteen minutes later. In the meantime, I trailed two men who appeared on the scene for a distance of some five or six hundred yards, when I became sitisfied that their errand did not concern me.
My attorney arrived on the next car, and after walking to a secluded pathway in the timber, he informed me that he presented the check, but the bank refused payment on the ground that I was a fugitive from justice and that, before they could turn over the money, he must receive from me a power of attorney, duly signed and attested, when he might have the cash. As to the grip, he called at the boarding house as agreed, but having noticed two men standing close by, one of whom he recognized as the same he had observed on a previous visit, he did not think it advisable to venture from the house, even with a newspaper bundle in his arms.
As he did not have a power of attorney blank with him. we could do nothing further that night, so I promised to 'phone the next day, when the matter could be arranged. I did not return to the city with him, preferring that he go his way alone and when his car was out of sight, I went to my room in Cambridge, where! remained until noon the next day, venturing out only to eat breakfast and purchase a daily paper.
After luncheon I went to the nearest telephone booth and called my attorney up, and in reply to my inquiry if there were any new developments, he asked me to hold the 'phone for about twenty minutes when he would inform me as to how matters stood. To "hold the 'phone twenty minutes" seemed to me as a rather unusual request. Indeed, from the time of our meeting on the night he fore. I had my suspicions that all was not just right, so I decided to change base on the 'phone proposition, and taking a street car, I rode about two miles and 'phoned him from another place, this time to learn that it would be necessary for me to meet him again and execute a power of attorney. He asked me to designate a place of meeting, in reply to which I told him to meet me at the same time and place as previously.
Returning to my room. I remained there until dusk, and after dinner went to a riding academy and engaged a saddle horse for the evening. I felt that I must vary my custom on every occasion as near as possible, and as I wanted to make doubly sure of my attorney's actions on this particular evening. I decided to meet the car on which I expected him to come and return with it to the chosen rendezvous.
About 8:45 p. m., I rode on the car track toward the city for a distance of perhaps two miles, and returned with the car until I discovered my attorney was not among the passengers. I did not, however, venture close enough to be recognized. I then wheeled about and went back toward the city, and when the second car hove in sight, I adopted the same tactics, locating my man shortly after meeting with the car. When he got off, I made a short circuit, and after tying my pony in the brush, emerged to meet the gentleman, but said nothing about the animal.
My attorney produced the blank power of attorney, which he had previously filled in, and after he had read its contents to me and I had examined it, I attached my signature thereto. He then informed me that he would have the notary in his office acknowledge my signature, which he would also attest as a subscribing witness.
There being no further business to transact on this occasion, he went back to the city on the next car and I returned the horse to the riding academy, after which I took the street car for Chelsea, another suburb of Boston, some eight miles from the city and in another direction. Here I engaged a room and remained for the night.
After breakfast on the following morning, I went into Boston by way of Charleston and Cambridge, and as I expected to do considerable telephoning, I engaged a horse and buggy for the day, but not, however, at the same livery stable where I hired a rig on a previous occasion.
At 10:30 that morning, I talked with my attorney over the 'phone and as before he requested me to hold the 'phone for some fifteen or twenty minutes. I could not understand this "hold the 'phone" business, and as I was determined not to get caught in a telephone booth, or even to remain at any particular place to exceed two or three minutes, I unhitched my horse and drove off a few miles before calling up again.
I might state here that Boston has the best public telephone service I have ever seen. There is hardly a store of any importance in the city but what is provided with a public telephone, and in every instance, they are inclosed in a booth, where one is enabled to secure privacy. Upon my calling him up again, my attorney informed me that he was experiencing some difficulty in the matter of getting the check cashed, as the bank officials expressed a desire to confer with the firm having drawn the check, before they would pay it.
I instructed him to stay with it and do the very best possible to secure the money, and further to get my grip at whatever cost. I left it to him as to what method he would adopt, but said I must get that grip away from there and at once. I agreed to call him up again at 2 o'clock.
Driving through the parks and to points of interest, I managed to pass the time away until 12:30, when I put my horse up at a stable in the suburbs, and while he was being fed and watered, I ate luncheon and prepared for another start. 
Promptly at 2 o'clock I called up my attorney again. This time one of his clerks answered, stating that the gentleman was engaged, but to "hold the phone" and he would be through in about fifteen minutes. Needless to say that I didn't "hold." This holding business was getting monotonous, and without caring whether or not he thought that I would do as requested, I hung up the receiver and drove away.
Fifteen minutes having elapsed, and being close to two miles away from the last station, I hitched my horse and called up again. This time I got my party, and he started in by claiming that he had called on the landlady again, but that she had remonstrated against any attempt to remove the grip, declaring that detectives were watching the house day and night. My attorney was of the same opinion and did not care to risk bringing it away personally, nor would he permit one of his assistants to do so. As to the check, the bank people had not yet arrived at a decision, he said, but would probably know within an hour what they would do. My attorney then asked me where I was telephoning from, and I told him South Boston, which was the truth.
He then said to "remain there" and to call up again later. After assuring him that I would do so, I hung up the receiver and was off for another drive.
This time I did not pull up until I was a good six miles and in a direction where I believed one would be least expected to go. I then called up again and it was the same old story—the bank people asked for additional time, he said. Cutting the conversation short, I hung up the receiver, as I, too, wanted additional time that I might gather my wits together and decide on something more definite. Things did not look just right to me. nor had they for some time past. and I conchided that I could well afford to hold counsel with myself before proceeding much further.
The actions of my attorney for the past few days were not at all to my liking, and while I did not care to believe that he was "standing in" with my pursuers, or that he was doing anything that would not eventually work to my interests and serve the ends for which I sought, at the same time, he had dilly-dallied along for such a length of time without accomplishing anything that I could not understand the proceedings. My check, which was properly indorsed, should be accepted by any bank in the city from one so prominent as he, more especially as it was a local firm drawing the check, who would verify its genuineness. Therefore, with the additional indorsement of my attorney's signature, the bank had no grounds for refusing to honor and cash it when presented.
After thinking matters over very carefully, I 'phoned to my attorney again and informed him that I had concluded to let matters drop for awhile and not to bother further and that I would call him up again within the next few days.
Driving back to the livery stable, or to within a few blocks of it. I waited my opportunity and when a man of apparent respectability came along, I induced him to return the rig. paying him, as I had done on the other occasion, and making a similar excuse. I had been fortunate in securing fine animals to drive and wished to insure their safe return, though I did not care to risk it personally.
Upon seeing the man drive my rig into the barn. I walked around a spell, and later in the evening, went into Boston proper, where I ordered supper in a down town restaurant. One might think that this was a hazardous action on my part, but not so much so as might appear on the surface. In the first place, it must be borne in mind that while I was being looked for, it was not on the streets of the down town districts of the very city in which I had made my sensational escape. No one would dream of my venturing so close in, nor would the city police, who were bent on my capture, think it worth while to scrutinize a passing stranger. In the outskirts of the city, where suburban officers have little else to do, I was sure to be kept in mind, but as I was always on the alert. I cared not for them. If detected in the heart of the city. I believed, at that. I had an even chance, so long as I confined my visits to the evening hours.
In the restaurant where I ate there were probably a hundred people, and although I kept a sharp lookout, I did not see or meet with anyone that I knew. The nearest I came to being detected, so far as I know, was this same evening and immediately after supper, when I stepped into a drug store to make a small purchase and was standing at the counter when an officer with whom I was well acquainted walked into the place and engaged a clerk in conversation.
I had been watching the door and was prepared for an emergency, but not caring to court trouble, I placed myself in a position where I could watch his actions through a small mirror, without giving him an opportunity to discern my features. A moment later, when he left the store, I took my departure.
Shortly thereafter, I took a street car for Worcester, some sixty miles from Boston, arriving there about eleven o'clock and engaging a room for the night. Here I remained two days, spending the morning hours in reading the newspapers, while my afternoons were occupied between the library and one of the billiard halls. On the evening of the second day after my arrival, I took the last car for Boston, arriving there about 1 o'clock a. m. I engaged a room in one of the down town lodging houses, where I remained until 7 o'clock the next morning.
After breakfast, I went to Charleston on the street car and engaged another rig for the day. Driving out to the suburbs, I 'phoned to my attorney and asked him if he had anything new to report. He seemed much surprised to hear of me again and inquired where I had been keeping myself, to which I replied that I had not left the city. He informed me of having made some effort to convert my paper into cash and that he desired to talk to me personally. Not being prepared to name a place of meeting. I told him I would call up later and make an appointment.
I then drove about in quest of a rendezvous and finally located one that I believed would furnish me with ample security, so I 'phoned him about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and advised him where I might be found. It was agreed that he would be there at exactly 10 o'clock that night, so I retained possession of the buggy, as I thought to drive him away immediately upon his putting in an appearance. The place selected for this meeting was at a point in the center of four vacant blocks, with streets running each way; the surrounding blocks being sparsely settled.
Promptly at 10 o'clock, my attorney put in an appearance, but as I was then several blocks away, I did not recognize him at first. As he walked up and down the street, however, I discovered that it was my man, and drove up to where he stopped. Taking him into the buggy, we took our departure for a still more sparsely settled district.
My attorney was very nervous on this occasion and kept looking over his shoulder as if expecting to be pounced on at any moment and cautioned me all the while to be careful. I assured him that there was no danger and devoted some little time in an efifort to brace him up. When he recovered his composure somewhat, he w^anted to know what I would do in event of being stopped by a policeman.
"Policeman?" said I, derisively, "why, I'd eat him up!"
"But what if several of them should appear together and summon you to halt?" he inquired.
"Eat them up, too," I answered.
I suspected at this very moment that I was being quizzed for a purpose, and did not propose to have this man report, if that was really his object, that I would be an easy mark, and that all they need to do was to come after me. I would at least have the satisfaction of putting fear into the hearts of some few of my pursuers, 'ere they had ventured to make chase, and would have them think, at least, that more or less blood would be shed before I was made to bite the dust.
"Would you really shoot to kill?" he asked me.
"Never shoot any other way," I answered, growing enthusiastic on the subject; "and what is more, I rather enjoy the sport. I go armed for that purpose and carry a regular arsenal with me all the time. Do you know," said I, "that it would take a small army to capture me at the present time?"
"You Western fellows are built differently from any men I have ever met before," ventured my attorney, nervously, and continuing he remarked: "You are all so dead in earnest that an ordinary man would stand no show against one of you."
I was half inclined to feel a bit swelled up as a result of this remark, as I could see that my man of law was sincerely in earnest himself and believed that what he was saying was true.
"How about my grip and the money?" I inquired.
"Haven't been able to do a thing," he said, "but came here tonight to warn you that the town is full of secret service men, and as it is reported you are still in the city, they are determined to land you, dead or alive."
"Do you know this to be true?" I asked.
"Yes, sir, I have it from a most reliable source and not only are they looking for vou, but have been trailing me also. They know that I have visited your former boarding house a number of times, and they have been watching me for several days past from the time that I leave home in the morning until I return in the evening. Even tonight, I had difficulty in eluding their vigilance, but managed to shake off a fellow after he had followed for several blocks.
"Even the telephone service, I am told, has been turned over to Burns' men, and I got this, too, from an authentic source. The bank, for some reason, refuses to cash the check, for the present, but I still hope to get the money for you. As for the grip, I cannot make up my mind to risk the attempt. It might work, but what if I should be intercepted and it was taken away from me?"
"As to the money." said I. "I am in no hurry to get it, but I must, in some way, secure the grip."
"I believe," said he, "if you can get along without it for awhile, it would he much better to leave it where it is, as Burns has evidently made up his mind that there is nothing more of your belongings in that house, for if the detectives thought differently they would surely make a further investigation. Burns' men are guarding the house, but evidently for the purpose of catching you, should you attempt to return."
The talk that my attorney put up on this occasion convinced me that he was not standing in with the detectives, but I could not satisfy myself that he had used his best efforts in my behalf in the matter of securing the money. However, I told him that I expected to leave the city on the evening following and would go to Portland, Maine, for a month or so until matters would cool down. He thought this a good plan and suggested that I correspond with him. which I promised to do. Returning him to the car line. I bade him goodby for the present and drove away.
After driving some distance, I met a workman carrying a dinner pail and some tools, and bargained with him to return the team to the livery, some four miles distant, which he agreed to do for a dollar. He looked like an honest fellow and I thought it safe to take the chance, besides, I had determined, instead of leaving on "the evening following" and going to "Portland, Maine," to go on to New York City; so taking the street car to Worcester, I caught the 1 o'clock train that night and arrived in New York the next morning.
Engaging a room at the Cadillac, 43d and Broadway, I remained at this hotel for three days and went about my business throughout the city as though nothing unusual had happened. I did not disguise myself in any manner, as I did not deem it necessary.
From the hotel, I moved to a private boarding house on West 44th street, where I remained for ten days longer, making my entire stay in New York City just thirteen days altogether.
I put in the time as pleasantly as possible under the circumstances, though I cannot say that I enjoyed my visit, as the loss of my grip was continually preying on my mind, and I felt ill at ease because of the uncertainty of being able to recover it.
I did not abandon hope, however, and being determined on making another try, I returned to Worcester, from whence I went into Boston, arriving there after an absence of exactly two weeks.
About 9:30 a. m., I 'phoned to my friend (the gentleman who had taken me to his brother's farm on the morning immediately after my escape from Burns), and informed him of my return to the city, referring to myself as the doctor, and taking the precaution, as I had on previous occasions in talking with him over the "phone, to inquire how my patient was getting along. We arranged for a meeting for 10:30, and at the appointed time, he came to see me.
As I had not talked with him immediately before my departure from Boston, I made him acquainted with what took place at that time; how my attorney had failed in his efforts to secure the grip and that the money also was being withheld by the bank. I likewise informed him of my visit to New York City and described how I had led my attorney to believe that I had gone to Portland. Maine, and of having told him that I would leave at a certain time, but took my departure just one day earlier than that stated.
Asking my friend as to the prospects of securing my grip at this time, he said that he had not been to the boarding house since, having acted under my suggestion that he keep away and give the detectives an opportunity to become discouraged. He could not say as to whether the place was still being watched, but had been given to understand that the officers were still looking for me.
Being of the opinion that it would be safe, at least, for my friend to call on the landlady, and believing, further, that she would know if the detectives were 
As it was agreed that my friend would call me up at exactly noon, at a certain drug" store in the neighborhood, I was there on time and waited but a few minutes when the bell rang and I was summoned to the 'phone. Upon calling on the landlady, my friend learned that the grip had been taken away some time before by my attorney and that the detectives, while frequently seen about the place. had not been stationed there regularly, as was the case some two weeks before. At least, the landlady was quite sure that her house was not being watched so closely. She expressed great fear, however, as to my safety and requested my friend to caution me, under no consideration, to come to her place. She thought my only hope was to leave the country.
My friend did not 'phone to me from the boarding house, as there was no occasion for doing so, but instead, used another 'phone some few blocks away, where he advised me as to the conditions.
I w^as delighted to learn that my grip had been secured, and supposed, of course, because of his success along this line. that my money w-as also in waiting, and that all I need to do was to notify my attorney of my presence in the city and make an appointment to receive my belongings.
After eating lunch and waiting until such time as I thought he would be in his office, I called him up and received the time-honored reply that the one I sought was busy, but to "hold the 'phone about fifteen or twenty minutes." when he would be at leisure and talk with me.
I neither waited, nor did I "hold the 'phone," preferring to improve the time by moving along and taking my chances elsewhere.
Calling up again, I simply advised my attorney that I wished to see him on business and he agreed to come to the place of our last meeting at 10 o'clock that night.
I experienced some little difficulty in securing a good, swift horse for that evening, the first livery man called on refusing to give me what I asked for without my being identified, while at the second livery stable. I could not find anything that I would accept for the occasion. The third place, however, was well equipped with fast horses and light rigs, and the owner of the establishment, less suspicious, so I got exactly what I wanted upon deposit of $3.50. the price named for the hire.
I fully expected to leave the city of Boston that night with all that was mine, except, of course, the trunk which Mr. Burns had confiscated, but I cared nothing for that. It was the grip that I wanted most and as a side issue, the money, of course, would come in handy.
My attorney came at the appointed time and was taken into my buggy and driven away as before at a rapid rate. He brought nothing with him and as I had been advised in advance of existing conditions, I thought to let him tell his story, without intimating any knowledge of what had taken place in my absence.
It was evident he expected me to broach the subject, as we had driven some distance before he said anything about the matter at issue. Other things, of little or no consequence, were spoken of. but no mention was made of the grip or money. After a time, however, he ventured to inform me that he had secured the grip and had placed it in one of the safe deposit vaults of the city for security, but would have me believe that the detectives suspicioned his actions in removing a "package" from the lodging house and were watching the vault. This story sounded mighty fishy to me, but I refrained from expressing myself. He had the grip, that much I knew, but why he should wish to retain possession of it was more than I could comprehend. Of one thing I was certain, there was something underlying" this man's motives for acting as he did, and I would have given a good deal at that moment to have possessed the ability to read his mind. In speaking of the check, he said that he had not called at the bank for several days, but that, upon his last visit, the bank officials were still undecided as to what to do.
Driving along until I came to a secluded spot and where I believed we would meet with no interruption, I pulled up the horse and after bringing him to a full stop, I turned in the buggy, and facing my attorney, gave him such a look as I believed would lend emphasis to my remarks, and after hesitating for a moment, during which time I never changed my expression, I asked:
"How much, sir, do I owe you for your trouble?"
Replying he said, "I dislike to name any price until I have accomplished something more for you."
"I want to know," said I, "just where we stand."
"I think I can do something for you before many days," he answered.
"How soon," I asked.
"Don't like to say definitely," he replied.
"Got to have something definite, and tonight," I told him.
"Well," said he, "I don't like to jump in and make a botch of the job. If I can have a little more time, I believe that everything will come out all right."
"How much will I owe you for your services when you get through with this job?" I asked.
"My charges won't amount to much," he evasively replied, and added, "you know I haven't really done very much."
"Now look here," said I, "I am willing to give you just one more chance — just one and that will end the matter. If you can secure and deliver to me both the grip and money and will do so by tomorrow night, the privilege is yours, but after that time, I must look elsewhere for assistance."
I then informed him that I had a brother in Chicago, an attorney, and that, if he failed to make good within the time specified. I would go on to Chicago and place the matter in my brother's hands.
"My brother in Chicago" was all a myth, but it seemed to have the desired effect, as the attorney assured me it would be useless to go to the expense of having my brother come all the way from Chicago to Boston to look after my affairs, as it would mean a matter of a few days at the very outside and possibly not that long, "Not one day longer than tomorrow," I interrupted.
"Well," said he, "I will do what I can, and if you will call me up late in the afternoon, I will give you the result of my efforts."
I agreed to this, and after returning him to the car line, I drove back to the barn, turning the rig over to the liveryman in person.
Although disappointed and vexed over the way things had turned out, I felt confident that the morrow would bring a change for the better, and that my long-looked-for grip would be forthcoming with the next visit of my attorney. I had given him my ultimatum and he seemed to appreciate the situation before leaving me and was undoubtedly impressed with the fact that I would put up with no further delays.
Returning to my lodgings, I engaged the room for another night, but my sleep was uncertain, and long 'ere dawn I was up and preparing for action.
I could hope for no move until late in the afternoon, so passed the time wearily, as I had grown impatient and could find neither rest nor amusement until matters became more settled, and I could receive some word of encouragement from my attorney. I was tempted at various times during the day to call him up, but managed to hold off until after 3 o'clock, when I hired another rig and looked about for a favorable meeting place.
After finding one, I could hardly wait until I reached the drug store from which I 'phoned him. and when I learned that he had secured the grip and that it was even then at his office, I forgot all about the money, not even thinking to ask if he had cashed the check.
My attorney stated that it would be impossible for him to deliver the grip in person, but that he would send it to me, at any time and place I might designate, by one of his assistants, provided, however, that it was to be delivered after dark.
That was entirely agreeable to me. and as I had previously located a meeting place, I lost no time in naming the hour, which was to be 9 o'clock. I would know the young man. my attorney stated, as he was quite tall and would be carrying my grip, which I would readily recognize.
The end was apparently in sight, and as I was feeling pretty good, I drove to a livery stable and put up the rig, ordering the horse to be well fed and groomed, and stating that I would call in about two hours.
After treating myself to something extra in the way of an unusually elaborate supper, I returned to the stable and found my horse hitched up and waiting. I had plenty of time on my hands, and while I was somewhat impatient for the appointed hour to arrive when I could take over my effects, I was reasonably happy and contented and did not mind the wait.
It might appear to my readers that my action in consenting to meet this young man was rather injudicious on my part, but I did not so consider it. as I figured that no one person could get the drop on me and especially at that hour of the evening. Besides, I always took the precaution to locate my man and the surrounding conditions before exposing myself to view% and it would have been mere folly for even an officer, single handed, to attempt my arrest.
I was also quite sure, because of what had taken place, that no officer would care to undertake the job unless he was backed up by men tried in the service and of known staying qualities. Even at that, it would have required considerable diplomacy on the part of the officers to surround and get the drop on me. and I did not believe such a thing possible, as I was on the alert at all times and on the lookout for just such an attempt being made.
Promptly at 9 o'clock, as I was driving toward the car line, I saw the young man alight from a street car and walk in an opposite direction. It was not long until I had overtaken him, and with lines in one hand and my gun in the other, I brought the horse up short and suggested that he join me in the buggy and be quick about it.
Complying with my request, the young man jumped in. took a seat by my side and we were soon well out in the rural districts.
Nothing had been said about his mission until I stopped to replace the check line, which I noticed was dangling at the horse's head. When I alighted, the young man did likewise, and opened the subject by informing me that the lawyer had authorized him to collect $25 for delivering the grip, and which amount, he explained, was for himself personally.
Upon first entering the buggy, the young man placed the grip in front of him, where it had remained until this time.
Replacing the check line, I was about to enter the buggy, when the young man, taking my watch chain and a number of other articles from his pocket, delivered them to me, with the remark:
"He told me to hand these to you also," and pointing to my grip he added: "He took them out of there, as he thought it would be safer."
"What!" said I, "my grip opened!" I was so vexed and angered to think that, after all this worry, I should actually find my grip unlocked and in all probability ransacked, that I picked it up and threw the whole thing, grip, contents and all, out into the street, and turning to the young fellow, I demanded to know by what right or authority my grip had been opened.
"Don't know a thing about it," he replied.
"Who opened it?" I asked.
"Your attorney, sir," he replied meekly.
"With what?" I demanded.
"With a key," he said.
"Where, might I ask, did he get the. key?"
"Bought it, I suppose, or maybe had it made."
"Well, when you see my attorney again, would you do me the kindness to say to him that he is a damned rascal, and further, convey the information that T am responsible for having said so?"
I was about to jump into the buggy and drive off, leaving the grip where it lay, when the young man placed his hand on my shoulder and in gentle remonstrance remarked:
"Don't do this, sir; it may not be as bad as you imagine."
He then picked up the grip and replacing it in the buggy, said:
"You know I had nothing to do with this affair. I have simply acted under instructions and desire to fulfill my obligations to the letter."
He then produced a package from his pocket and handed it to me, stating that it was my money.
I was so mad at the time that I didn't know whether to accept it or not. The money was really of no object to me, as compared to the grip which I wanted to secure, and which I fully expected would be returned to me intact.
It was more through curiosity than anything else that I accepted the tendered package, as I could not resist the temptation to learn what amount had been returned to me, and how much, in the opinion of my learned counsel, he was entitled to as a fee for his trouble.
The very fact of his taking my case at all and in aiding and abetting a fugitive from justice, would, in itself, warrant him in charging a large sum for his services, as the law states specifically that an attorney is not warranted in doing so, and prescribes a severe penalty in such cases. Seldom, indeed, can a reputable attorney be found who will engage in such an undertaking, and when they do. the fee charged is usually a sum worthy of the name.
I had expected in this case to pay my attorney at least $500. Had he charged me $1,000, I should not have complained; but when I opened the package and discovered that it contained $700, and that he had reserved only $322 for his trouble, I concluded immediately that I had been held up from the beginning.
The fact is, this disciple of the law, whom I have since ascertained was a shyster of the first magnitude, knew full well from the start that my check was good and that it would be cashed without question immediately upon presentation. He knew, too, that it was wholly unnecessary for him to secure from me a power of attorney in order to get the money, but he also knew, because of my anxiety, that my grip contained articles of great importance, perhaps a million dollars in gold, or something equally as valuable.
His motive, therefore, in holding the check up, was to allow time to procure the grip, and when he finally secured possession of it, he was up a stump again, not knowing, in the absence of a key, just how to proceed.
When limited to time, he must act without further delay, so he discovered a way of opening my grip, but neglected, iii his disappointment to find that it contained papers of value only to myself, together with a few personal trinkets, to lock it again, or, perchance, the key wouldn't work both ways, so he was forced to send it in the condition received.
If that grip had contained anything of real value, my attorney, beyond the question of a doubt, would have demanded a large sum of money before parting with it. As it was, he evidently concluded that the paltry sum of $322 was sufficient for the services rendered, but rather than take any chances in meeting with me, he held out his price, and enlisted the services of his clerk to make the delivery.
After counting the money. I asked the young man if he thought his associate in the dispensary of justice held out enough. He didn't know as to that, and was evidently too badly scared to venture a suggestion.
"Get into the buggy," I said; "I want to talk with you a bit."
"It's rather late and I'd prefer to go home," remarked the young man.
His countenance bespoke the truth of his utterance, and thinking that it would be probably unjust to harass him further, and as he was really not to blame and not the one I wanted to talk to anyway, I allowed that he was right and suggested that home would be the best place for him.
I did not hesitate to discuss matters further, but jumped into the buggy and drove in the direction of the livery stable. Reaching a point within a few blocks from the place, I turned the horse over to a boy to return for me. as 1 did not care to linger any longer than was absolutely necessary. Noting that the rig was safely delivered, I boarded a street car for Worcester and barely caught the train for New York.
