Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/287

 I glanced at the man, but did not recognize in him one of those with whom I had recently come in contact, and in reply to his command, I said something which, as in the case of my reply to the suggestion of the weak-kneed sleuth, it would be best that I refrain from putting into print.

I did not "come forward" so the man on the outside threw up the wicket again and went away.

Some twenty minutes later, the door to my dungeon was thrown open by the Chief of police, who invited me to step outside, remarking that I might have the freedom of the main room, which was about twenty feet square and the same in which the portable dungeon was placed. The latter occupied one corner, and less than one-sixth of the room space. Leading from this was another room, in which was a double bedstead, with mattress, blankets and pillows, which the Chief informed me I might make use of, at the same time advising me that I could have the privilege of sending out for anything that I desired.

I had been in the jail something like two hours when Mrs. Puter called. The meeting, as may be imagined, was not so pleasant as that of a few nights before, when I visited with my wife and little boy on the street corner. Our interview lasted about an hour and I really felt relieved when my wife started for home, as my surroundings were not conducive to restoring confidence, and the longer she remained, the worse she would feel. She blamed herself for not reaching Mr. Heney by 'phone before this condition could exist, often remarking that she might have been more persistent in her efforts to find him.

After my wife's departure, I made careful inspection of my surroundings and found that my new quarters contained many conveniences which I did not look for, or hope to find, in a city prison. But there was yet another surprise in store for me, for at the supper hour, the Chief called on me again and asked what I should like to eat. I had rather expected to have a pan of boiled beans thrown at me, but instead, was allowed to place an order for a "porterhouse," which was substantially served about 40 minutes later, together with French fried potatoes and a cup of good coffee.

As I had nothing to occupy my attention, I retired early and not having slept any the night before and because of the fatigue and worry of the day, I was soon lost in peaceful repose and wholly oblivious for the time of my troubles, both past and present. Upon waking in the morning, I had difficulty in locating myself and for a moment, I did not realize the true situation. But it soon dawned upon me in all its hideousness.

Shortly after arising the restaurant man called and took my order, and when breakfast was served and over with, I was handed a morning paper containing a full account of the capture. The article, as might be expected, was quite sensational and went on to state that I had been trailed by detectives from the time of leaving my room on Sunday morning, describing how I had met and talked with a certain "blonde lady" during the forenoon on the railway track, after which I returned to my room and shortly thereafter, appeared again on the streets, where the detectives, fearing lest I was preparing to leave the place, pounced upon me and effected my safe delivery to the police station.

I concluded, after reading the account of my capture, that the detectives had very probably interviewed the blonde lady referred to, and inquiring as to the nature of her conversation with me, and learning that I asked as to which of the two roads led to the Oakland mole, they concluded I was seeking this information in order to gain knowledge of a probable means of escape. My having donned my long overcoat, too, and because of the direction in which I was walking, would tend to establish this theory.

But how, I asked myself, could they have located me in the first place? The paper stated that they had trailed me from early morning and for aught I knew. they may have been trailing me on the day before, or from the time of my arrival on the Coast, or from the East, for that matter. This was a question which I longed to have answered and one that perplexed me sorely.