Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/270

 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. Page 264