(_FRAGMENT FROM THE ADVENTURES OF A RANSOMED PRISONER._)
I must confess I was agreeably surprised at the treatment to which I
was subjected by my capturers. Instead of being loaded with chains
and confined in a cell beneath the castle's moat, I was given perfect
liberty, and had quite a pleasant suite of rooms. I should scarcely
have known that I was in durance had not one of the less refined of
the brigands shown me a revolver, and playfully informed me that its
contents were intended for me if I attempted to escape. The Chief was
absolutely charming. He treated me in the most courteous manner, and
ended his first interview with me by requesting "the honour of my
company at dinner."
"You need not dress!" he observed, "although I like to put on a
tail-coat myself. But I know that you have had some difficulty with
my people about your luggage, and so I shall be only too delighted to
excuse _grande tenue_."
The "difficulty" to which my host referred was the seizing of my
portmanteau by the gang of thieves of which he was the acknowledged
head. I suggested that I might possibly recover some of its contents.
"I am afraid not," returned the Chieftain. "You see my people are very
methodical, and by this time I fear all the goods will have been sold.
The motto of the Club is 'small profits and quick returns.' We find no
difficulty in trading. As we carry on business on the most economical
principles, we can quote prices even cheaper than the Stores."
And this I found to be the case. Although the brigands were very civil
to me, I was unable to trace any of my property. However, as my host
in the kindest manner had allowed me to dispense with ceremony, I
ventured to appear at dinner-time in my ordinary tourist's dress.
"I am delighted to see you," said the Chief, speaking English for
the first time, "as you are now my guest, I must confess that we are
fellow countrymen."
"Indeed!" I replied, considerably astonished. "If you are really of
British nationality, how is it that I find you a professional thief?"
"You are mistaken," returned the Chief. "I merely belong to a society
for the redistribution of capital. You know we are all balloted for,
and I was myself afraid that I might get pilled."
"Indeed!" I exclaimed, in a tone of surprise. "Surely your
accomplishments--for I noticed, on my arrival, that you were a
first-rate hand at lawn tennis, and played the flute--would have
secured your admission?"
"Well," he returned with a smile, "I fancy they helped me with the
Committee. But unhappily my antecedents were bad--I had made a
fortune on the London Stock Exchange, and my books were scarcely as
satisfactory as our bandit auditors could have desired them to be.
However they took a kindly view of the case, and allowed me to pass
through. But pardon me, I see your ransom has arrived. I am afraid I
must say good bye. A pleasant journey."
And shaking me warmly by the hand, he helped me into the conveyance
that was to take me back to home and freedom. I have never seen him
since.
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[Illustration: ALL-ROUND POLITICIANS.--HARTINGTONIANA.]
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