CHAPTER XLIV. WAT WALKS INTO A TRAP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 386, 20 July 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER XLIV. WAT WALKS INTO A TRAP.

Wat, haying made sure of Vera, went out to find .some trace of Chernigoff, and as it was more than likely that Sofia would have some communication with him, he determined to watch her movement's. He had not gone many blocks, however, when -he became aware that he was being followed, and that not very skilfully. Putting into use a tew simple devices, he soon had an opportunity to have a look at his shadow. , - , The man was a type of a sufficiently numerous class in all large cities. He was neither ruffian nor gentleman, but a mixture of the , characteristics of both.

In dress and manner, be was a sorb of [ relic of the latter, being seedy ot clothing and of an easy, Swaggering demeanour. The ruffian's face was a perfect tell tale of his association with the lowo&t classes and basest passions. That such a man should be following him, filled Wat with curiosity, and he was desirous of knowing what his part in the play was. To make the man's task as easy as possible, and at the samo timo to enable himself to study him, Wat sat down in a cafe, and called tor a cup of coffee. ■Sitting there, in appaientunconsciousncss of anybody but himself, he wa« astonished to see his man coming into the calo, .and j straight toward him. With a halt bow the fellow sat at the very table with Wat. * Wat looked at him carelessly, and then lookod away again. ' H'm !' The man evidently wished to attract Wat's attention, to tho latter looked up. 'J beg your pardon," said ho, 'but have I the pleasure of addressing Monsieur Den ton ?' ' You havo. ' ' The friend of Monsiour Ivan Horwitz ?' ' The same.' 1 Well, ah !' he leaned over, and looking furtively around, whispered, ' lean tell you something about him.' ' Can you, though ?' exclaimed Wat, w ith I much interest. 1 ' Hush ' Not too loud. I may get myself 1 in trouble by telling you this, but 1 promised.' ' Promised whom ?' ' Horwitz. ' 'When? Where did you see him? Where is he? Tell me quickly.' •Sh-h : Not here.' 'Where, then?' ' Come with mo.' ' Whereto?' 'Follow, and you will see.' ' But I must know more before I can follow a stranger.' ' Do you not wish to know what has become of your friend ?' ' Certainly ; but why can }on not tell me here V ' There is too much involved.' ' But do you not see that I can forco you to tell me now ?' ' Force me?' exclaimed the man, with an assumption of indignation, but looking extremely unea&y. ' Certainly. I havo only to call tho police and have you taken into custody for complicity in the matter.' ' But that would not holp your friend, for I know nothing about him,' said the man, in alarm. ' Then what do 1 you mean by coming to me with such a story '>' With all his assurance) the man ' was taken aback by Wat's peremptory manner. He stammeied and hemmed, and iinally said, as if he would at lasb make a clean breast of it : ' Why, you see a friend of mine -and I don't mind saying' to a man of the world like you that he is obliged to keep out of sight for a while—knows all about it, and he asked m« to tind you, and say that he would like to see you on the subject.' • I see. He had a hand in the taking away of my iriend, and he would not mind making a little money to restore him to his liberty. Is that it?' • Why — cr — it might be, but I can't say ; because you see, he didn't tell me any more than just that.' ' Exactly,' sakl Wat sarcastically. ' ' And now, I wonder if I had not better call an officer and give you up for kidnapping ?' • You're a good deal llyer than you look, eh ? That is — no offence. But being so fly, don't you see it would do no good at all to have me arrested ? I dent know where your friend is myself, being onlyasoit of go-between. See ?' ' Yes. I see. And now that we understand each other, tell me where Me are to go to find this man who knows more than you do.' ' I'll show you, if you will follow me,' said the man, ingratiatingly. ' Well, I don't know any objection to that. Go ahead.' 'I will go ahead, and you can follow a little behind me, so that nobody will suspect that we ha\e anything to do with each other.' ' I understand. You don't want to com; promise your leputation by being seen with me.' ' Ha, ha ' Very merry wit!' ejaculated the fellow, lie went out, followed, as agreed upon, by Wat, a short distance behind him. 'That hook was baited for gudgeons,' said Wat to himself. 'I if they leally thought I would swallow it. They would put up a plant on me, eh? Well, they may learn something new befois we arc done with each other.' He felt for hits pistols, to see that they wore ready to his hand it; case of need, and then went along toward the slum's ot i J aiis, after his swaggering conductor. IS T o French roguo knew better than Wat tho wayi of the slums. He entered them without any tiemour, but knowing that he would need to be cncumspect if he hoped to come off the winner now. Even in the day time a detective, known to be fcuch, is in the utmost danger in buch places as Wat now found himself in. Bub he showed no siirn of having any such knowledge, but went carelessly after his guide. i Through narrow streets and alleys, so shut in that it was almost dark even then, they went. And the farther they penetrated into tho legion of crime, the bolder became the svv agger of the leader. Presently he stopped in front ot a lull, dingy tenement, a relic of by gone days ot respectability, and signified, by a motion of his thumb, that Wai wa& lo enter theic after him. Wab nodded his head lor answer, and a moment later was mounting a rickety flight of stah'3 after his conductor. He did not stop until they weie under the rcof. Then he gave a peculiar rap on the door of, the front room, and w hen it was opened, ushered Wat in.