Finding Mr. Proebstel in waiting in the corridor where I had left him, we took the elevator and returned direct to the hotel. I might, perhaps, have called upon Jones and Kribs, who occupy offices in the same building, but I was too much downcast to court another such experience.
Upon reaching the Hotel Portland, I found my brother waiting for me, and told him what had taken place. He was not surprised, as his mind was made up from the time he had talked with Mays, Jones and Kribs, on the day before, that it was useless to expect any aid from them, and he could not understand why I should permit myself to become so grossly deceived in regard to the stability of such friendship, as I had always claimed, in discussing the subject with my brother, that any one, or all of them, would do anything for me within reason, as I likewise would have done for them. They had been put to the test, however, and were found wanting, and it was now up to me, in my present predicament, to look after myself, and at some later date, when the cruel circumstance of time would lay bare the lives of these men, as it does with all those who prove traitors to their friends. I could stand by and look on in silent contempt, if not. indeed, with a degree of satisfaction, at their deserved fate.
When my brother inquired if I wished to see anyone else in the city with a view of securing bonds, I replied that I did not; that I would prefer, however, humiliating it might be, to send to my old home in Humboldt County, California, and have the money sent me necessary to secure my liberty. He. too. considered this the better plan, so I wired that morning, requesting that $4,000 be transmitted, and this amount I received by telegraph that same afternoon.
Being free once more, I lost no time in summoning my old lieutenants, McKinley and Tarpley, to my room at the Hotel Portland for consultation.
When they called to see me. I informed them of my intention to call upon Francis J. Heney, Special Assistant to the United States Attorney-General, and request permission to appear before the United States Grand Jury, to give testimony against F. Pierce Mays, Senator John H. Mitchell, and the rest of the gang. Mr. Tarpley advised that I abandon the thought, while McKinley suggested that it might be all right to inform on Mays and some of the others, but I should omit the name of Senator Mitchell.
"I know," said he, "that Mays has treated you shamefully, and should be brought to account and made to suffer for his acts, but Mitchell—why should you turn against him? What has he done?" "Just look at those press dispatches," I replied. "Hardly a day has passed since my conviction but he has had something mean to say about me in the newspapers, and as Mitchell and Mays are so closely identified with each other, I look upon them as one person, determined to force me to the wall, and to effect. if within their power, my complete ruination."
"I would advise you to hesitate," replied McKinley, "before taking final action, as you are angry now and might do something which you would have reason to regret at a later date; just wait a few days and you may change your mind."
"No." I said; "I comprehend thoroughly what I am doing. My mind in the matter is made up, and I am determined to carry out my plans as outlined. Had Senator Mitchell held his peace, his name should never have been mentioned by me, but since he has seen fit to denounce me publicly, through the columns of the daily press, discountenancing me in most scathing terms, I can see no reason why I should protect him further. No! I shall shield him no longer; he is equally guilty, and must go down to his fate with the balance of the bunch."
McKinley and Tarpley evidently thought that further discussion on the subject was useless at that time, so they had nothing more to say, but still hoping to change my mind in the matter, either one or the other, if not both, called upon W. N. Jones, one of those who had been asked to go on my bond, and after informing him of the situation, suggested that he see and talk with me at once.
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