EXPLOITS OF THE ONE-EYED MAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13409, 11 February 1907, Page 3

EXPLOITS OF THE ONE-EYED MAN.

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEUFAT.]

BY KDWARD TO.WLEK. [ATX RIGHTS RESERVED,] lII.— DETECTIVE'S DISCOMFITURE. To say that the British public was crying aloud against the police for effecting no arrests in connection with the crimes committed at the Norfolk Bank and the bullion robbery from the specie, van of the NorthWestern express but feebly expresses the nation's sentiments. The press and people alike howled for the arrest of the gang, for it was felt that such stupendous undertakings could never be accomplished by a man working single-handed. There must be a master mind, the heads of Scotland Yard were assured, but who was he? Where did he come from? Secure the leader of the gang, and then there would be no more terrible tragedies. Ah, to get him! It was a distinct case of catch your hare. There was as yet no clue to the perpetrators' of the crime in Norwich, and there was much less evidence to guide" them in the affair of the specie van. So it cams about that Inspector Bullen, of Scotland Yard, was deputed to undertake the unravelling of the mystery.

Inspector Bullen's first step was to jour--1 ney down to Liverpool and make the most rigid inquiries. All the information he gained was the fact that the last carriage had been reserved for two men. Further inquiries went to confirm the inspector's impression that there was an American at the bottom of the affair. Point one: An important factor in support of that idea was that before the Eastern Century Bank robbery there had been two gentlemen staying at Weybourne, in Norfolk, under the names of Rowland T. Rowlands and Henry J. Macassar. Point two: In support of first theory. The One-Eyed Man, on taking the rooms, had given a name in the American style, viz., Rowland T. Rowlands, and* to the inspector this was an indubitable clue. Therefore, in his own mind, he was satisfied they were Americans. His next step was to proceed to Norfolk, and, continuing his inquiries there, he found the cottage at which Rowland T. Rowlands and Henry J. Macassar had stayed ; and for a week Inspector Bullen went " moth hunting" on his own account. One thing he found out from the local coastguard, and that was the sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance of a, submarine oft Cley the day of the bank robbery at Norwich. Could there be any link between the circumstance and the crime? How to connect the two occurrences was the question. From the police he learnt that they bad stopped the driver of a Pan hard on the road between Cromer and Sheringham on the date of the robbery. Were these—the Panhard and the submarine—links in the chain of evidence? He felt he was on the track of the miscreants at last. In his own mind lie was convinced of the accuracy of his deductions, but yet the affair of the specie van, robbed in mid-country, showed no possibility of a submarine being used in that connection. Stay—yes—was there not the chance of the bullion being in it? Ah! find the submarine, and he was assured that he would find the bullion. Yes, fchat was it. The question again rose, find it Only the coastguard had seen it, and that only for a moment out at sea. Therein lay his greatest difficulty. lie was hotfoot on the. chase, and his spirits rose as he turned the mystery over and over in his mind during his journey back to London. It was the habit of the inspector to search the agony columns of the papers every morning, and two days after his arrival 'he saw the following: "There is no hope unless forward the money, as the patient must take a.sea voyage.—Mexico." He cut that out, and ...determined, to follow the correspondence, - and next, mornings pap^r^on-

tained the following: " Have been to sanatorium. Very ill. Something must be done. Mexico." That also he cut out. Then came the answer: " Meet me post office, Charing Cross, ten to-night." Inspector Uullen determined to be there also, to see if the correspondents were any of the numerous birds he wanted in his net. He did not for the moment connect them with his submarine gang. There was no one in particular about when he took up his position to watch at 9.50, but promptly on the stroke of ten o'clock two men met by the post office entrance. For a moment they conversed in low tones; then the quick ear of the detective caught the words: "Still ill." That convinced him he. had before him the advertisers in the morning paper. He decided to follow them. They took the next 'bus to the bank, riding outside. He took the same 'bus, selecting a seat near the door. The two outside passengers alighted at the bank, and the inspector followed them to the Metropolitan Railway Station. They booked to VVappiag. Inspector Uullen, still unobserved, rode in the guard's van to that station, anil then, carefully keeping in the shadows, followed stealthily in the wake of the two men.

It was a long and tedious track, but at last'it came to an end by one. of the dark and almost deserted docks of the riverside. The men suddenly disappeared, and the next moment Inspector Button was seized from behind and his arms pinioned. A bag was thrust over his head, and a stunning blow bereft him of consciousness. When he regained his senses lie found he was alone ill a cabin of a small yacht, unbound and free, but around him a silence as of death. For some minutes he took in the situation. Then the door opened, and a well-dressed, gentlemanly-looking man entered the cabin. It was one' of the men he had tracked. "Good evening, inspector," he said. "I trust your little journey will not inconvenience you. "Journey!" was the answer. "I do not understand you." The other smiled. "You...are taking it now, inspector." The inspector was mystified, and his face showed his surprise. The other went on: " Possibly the slight tap you received two hours ago, inspector, has somewhat dimmed your usually clear brain. You are down the Thames, near Gravesend. I believe you came on board at Wapping. The reason you feel no motion and hear no sound is because you are in the object of your search, the submarine." For a moment even the phlegmatic calm of the inspector deserted him and his face showed the tremendous effect that statement had upon him. The gentleman, no other than the One-eyed Man, scrupulously attired as usual, smiled as he saw the thrust had gone home, for he added. " I take, it that it was the object of your search, inspector?" The inspector's nerve returned, and he smiled blandly. "You may take it that it was," he answered. " And now that you have found us, or rather, I should say, we have found you, inspector, have you any special plan of action ready - ' Surely your fertile brain has already conceived some scheme whereby we and the submarine are to be transplanted, lock, stock, and barrel, shall 1 say to Xew Scotland Yard?" Inspector Bullet! determined to show no sign of fear, though he was only too well aware that his life was not worth, much in tit*' hands of these men. " T have no objection to so doing," he answered, banteringly, "but at the moment I must confess that I. see no way." The One-eyed Man answered tartly. " No.' You see no way. inspector; you see no way. For the second time to-night yon are blind. We do not intend you shall see a way either. The advertisement was well planned, in-! spector, well planned ; but we were afraid you might ' tumble' and not follow our decoy. How was it your astute brain saw no connection between the advertisements and ins, eh. Mr. Inspector For, personally, Ido not think you connected it with us." Inspector Bullen replied simply, "I did not. It is my habit to study adverisements -it is my business, and seeing yours in the course of that business I wu.s on hand at your rendezvous." The One-eyed Man sneered. " You. saw no connection. You are not as sharp as we gave you credit for. It was signed ' Mexico.' Does that convey anything to you':" "Mexico?" said the inspector. " Mexi»o?" " Yes, Mexico," again sneered the Oneeyed Man. "Are you still blind, eh?" • "For the moment the brain of the inspector was working under forced draught. Then he. knew. Like a flash it passed through his mind. "Good heavens!" he exclaimed, involuntarily. » " So, Mr. Inspector, you see now. My lieutenant is known as the ' Greaser.' You were aware of that. Now, Greaser' is essentially a Mexican word; that was why we used it to lure you here. What we were afraid of was that you might have decoys arrested as suspicious persons. There again, if I may teach you your duty, you missed your point. On the other hand, seeing no connection, you could not take it. Naturally. Really, inspector, I fail to see how you have achieved your present standing in Scotland Yard. You are no Sherlock Holmes, M'r. Bullen."

The inspector winced. " You may make what remarks you like," lie replied. "You are not yet out of the wood." " Nor are you out of the submarine. Personally. I do not think you will be for some time, and when you are it will be in such a state that we are assured you cannot pry into any further secrets of ours." "You threaten me?" said the inspector. "I threaten! Pardon me, I believe in the old adage, ' Threatened men live long,' and 1 never threaten, Mr. Bullen, I perform. You hear me? I perform." The inspector looked him fearlessly in the face, "lour record bears you out for the murderer that you are," he answered. He was determined to show no signs of fear to this man.

The One-eyed Man smiled. " You have a good memory, *' he said. " I have had many aliases, but that of murderer has not been applied before." "That may be. Your victims never live to accuse you," answered the inspector. The One-eyed Man shrugged his shoulders. " Well hit," he said. "1 acknowledge the —they do not." " May I ask your intentions as regards myself ?' inquired the inspector. " Certainly. We take you out to sea, lash you to our little- platform by the conning tower, and"

" And what?" hoarsely a,sked the other. "And sink— a time," was the cold, brutal reply. Inspector Bullen's face paled, but it was not from fear. In the innumerable tight corners in which he had been he had had many a rough-and-tumble fight. One was a fight in hot blood, when knives flashed like a glint of sunlight, and a bullet pinged against a wall like the hum of a bee. He knew no fear, but what paled his cheeks now was the horrible, slow, relentless death that he pictured— death where the agony was prolonged possibly for hours. " Sink— after a time." After a time—what length of time? Then his eyes lit with hope. There was one chance, a passing ship might see him before the boat sank, for would he not be the only one upon the fatal platform of the conning tower? The One-eyed Man noticed the renewed light in the inspector's eyes, and said: " You think you may be seen and rescued, Mr. Bullen? You must have a poor opinion of our methods of business. We have a periscope, and, although we are underneath the waves, the surface of the sea isseen by us, as in the camera obscura. You follow me?" The heart of the inspector died within him. " I follow." he said, simply. The One-eyed Man went on. " It is usual for a submifine to stay below tin; water for four or five hours only. You have been below for nearly that period. But our boat differs from all others in that we can remain below for a month, if necessary. So, you see, there ir, no occasion for us to hnrrv. The special invention is our own. By the way, what would it be worth to vour Government, Mr. Bullen? ; Wouldn't' it. be cheap at a million, or cheap at my pardon? Possibly I may offer it when I get in the comer you are in. Who knows? ' The pitcher that goes—' You know the rest, Yon are fond of proverbs, Mr. Inspector." "'Gets broken at last,' Mr. Rowland T. Rowlands," said the inspector. The One-eyed Man laughed that wintry laugh of his—the laugh that preceded the death of the two men in the Euston Ttoad. "Hit. again, inspector, hit again. So you tumbled to that. Well, well/ upon "ray word, you are really smart.- You can fojrlowj you and jwuf cursed jwlipe.>i.'Xh.at,ia air;

you can do. Follow, follow like a flock of .■ 7 sheep, but they never catch the master; - they never have brain* for that. Immediately they scent something they rush off to . the papers, and blazon forth the fact that they have got a clue. That is all they will ever get of mine. Let them follow it. I wish you good night; you may sleep on the cushions. In the morning, yon will be off' Harwich, then we will' see to you." With that he left the cabin. - Inspector Bullen's eyes travelled round and round the cabin. There was absolutely no escape for him. It was not like a ship. Had it been he might- have rushed up on deck and sprang overboard, trusting to Providence. But here it was a prison indeed, for water was round and alio™ him. He got up and tried the door. The moment his hand ton,hid the handle * bell rang out loudly. He started back, astounded. A moment after a. man entered. "You rang," he said; "what do you require?" "Supper," said the inspector, brusquely. "Do you intend to starve me?" And ha scanned the face of the man to see if hfl knew him ; but he did not. "Good! 1 will bring it," answered tho man. "You have a good heart, Mr. Policeman." The inspector smiled. "So you know ' my fate, do you?" he queried. '"I do." was the reply. "Wo all d.i here. No one who comes into this "web escapes." "Is there a hope for me?" asked tho inspector. "If you could help me I would make if worth your while." The man smiled. "The price?" he asked. The price?" " How would a thousand pounds do, and. a pardon, supposing we captured this craft' and its owners?" he whispered. The man grinned. "A thousand pounds I Great Scott! a man could do a lot oni that." "Yes," said the inspector, "ho could.. I would guarantee you that amount and a pardon." The man grinned again. "My share of the boodle on this craft is fifteen thousand pounds. Am I giving it to you for i« rotten thousand pounds and a. pardon? No fear. The one point about our One-eyed boss is serve him well and he'll pay well; serve him on the cross, and—well, he puts us safe beyond the temptation of a miserable police reward. No, thanks, Mr. Inspector: no, thanks. Now I'll get your supper." And he went away. The heart of the inspector died within him. He was without hope. Tho supper was brought in. and he made :ij pretence of eating it, revolving schemes the while, but all to no purpose; and at last, utterly worn out, ho fell into a troubled sleep. He was awakened some hours later by the opening of the cabin door. Six men. entered, and almost before he was aware of their presence seized hint, bound hin arms and legs, and carried him on deck, where in the blight sunshine the Oneeyed Man stood, while tiny waves rippled against the. bow motionless submarine. "Now," he. said, "your hour has come."' The inspector made no reply. "Tie hint up." lie ordered. "Stay! Let us make him look as if he had had a chance. Rig a, lifebelt on him, so that when we cut him adrift it will look the better. We must study appearances," ha said, cynically. It was done. "Lash him to the flagstaff," he com* manded. This was also done. "Below!". lie said, laconically, and the crew crept • silently through tho* manhole of the bono j and. went below. Tim.One-eyed Man f cd- 1' lowed, saying as he did so: "An revoiry Mr. Bullen, an revoir." The cover was screwed down from in--, side, and the inspector was left face to> face with death. How long would it ha before they sank drowned him like a; dog--how Jong? The cold sweat ran down his face. Over the sea a white mist crept as a curtain, nearer aud nearer, and the 1 little craft was enveloped in it. Still they, kept above; it must have been nearly, half an hour since they left him. To titer ' inspector it was a lifetime. Ah! -what was that? "They were sinking. Yes, the deck, , once two feet from the sea, was now level, with it. He watched the rivets in thai plating. No, they had stopped again. It > was the diabolical torture of the One-eyedi-Man. He felt his brain bursting, and them j out of the fog loomed the bow of a steam-! er. There was a stunning crash, and he knew no more until he found himself float*! ing upon the water, his cork jacket sup— porting him admirably. An 'hour later* he was picked- tip by a Lowestoft steam--) drifter. \ He thought of the submarine. It had gone down with all its booty and it» crew. It was lost for ever, together with' the greatest gang of ruffians that ever engineered a crime. But had it? The steamer that ran them down onl£ tore away the little tower and its flagstaff,' for the submarine's owners, profiting by the lesson of the ill-fated Al, had a double deck below the conning-tower. So all the evil effect felt by them was a, tremendous shock and a boat that almost turned, turtle, and then—quiet. And the submarine was still a tremendous power for evil. Bub that Inspector Bullen had still to leant. Next week: "THE AFFAIR OF THR RUBY NECKLACE,"' when we agai* meet the One-eyed Man ashore.