McAllister and His Double

ning papers contained accounts of the pursuit and startling arrest of "Fatty Welch," the well-known crook, who was w

e clubman into his bedraggled overcoat. "

ation-house proper, where several offi

uess Sheridan'll know you fast enough when he sees you. Come on, boys!" He opened the door

pe; he felt sure that at headquarters he would find some person to whom he could safely confide the secret of h

y. "Looks just the same as ever. Mott Street's not a mite

r, several feet below the level of the sidewalk, and into a small, stuffy chamber full of men smoking and loungin

and in a huge, high-ceiled room crowded with men in civilian dress. On one side, upon a platform, stood a nondescript row of prisoners, at whom the throng upon the floor gazed in silence. Above the heads of this file of motley individuals could be read the gold let

there,

f the wagon joined him. It was a peculiar scene. Twenty men standing up for inspection, some gazing unconcernedly before them, some glaring defiantly at their observers, and others grinning

u, Sanders, hol

the head of the l

off yo

ector raised his voice and addressed the crowd of detectives, wh

iver for grand larceny-last time an eight-year bit; that was nine years ago.

osition, his face expressing t

cted his attention to the prisoner next the clubman, the same bein

tor. "You're Muggins, aren't you? Haven

an sm

tor," he said. "The l

re, and then got settled for life in Louisville for murd

ed, and his record and character described by the Inspector to the assembled bureau o

ector looked

old up yo

n, the rack, and all kinds of brutality. They might set upon him in a body. He might be mobbed, beaten, strangled. And yet, if he obeyed, would it not be a pu

up your hand, and

nt up of it

d his throat and rap

a valuable pin about three years ago, and served a short term up the river. Since then he's been all over. His game is to secure employment in fashionable houses as butler or servant and then get

ting criminal. One or two of them made notes in memorandum boo

o the gallery and then bring him down to

ion of the possibilities in store for him, stepped down and followed like a somnambulist. As they

ins, who goes under the name of James Hawkinson. His pals call him 'Supple Jim.' Two of

tor began

ect to get settled for quite a bit down to Philadelphia,

ium hung on one wall, while a score of painted eyes, each of a different color, and each bearing a technical appellation and a number, stared from the other. Upon a small square platform, about eight inches in height, stood a half-clad Italian congealed with terror and expecting momentarily to receive a shock of electricity. The slender young man was rapidly measuring his hands and feet and calling

aculated. "Here, lug this

haled the Italian, shrie

ust you won't object to these little formali

ad been annihilated. Mechanically he removed the shoe in question an

and rest your ha

of a human hand. He did as he was told unquestioningly. The

wn and let me tickle y

been used upon the Italian and ran them thoughtfully

urer. "Prominent, Roman nose. No. 4 eyes. Thank you.

and followed Tom into the

ented the officer in c

ent the

side

n

t's

tised upon him. It was hours before he realized that he had actually been measured and photographed as a criminal,

now?" h

wagon'll be waitin' for us. But first we'll d

can see the Commission

nto a roar

in the middle of the back. "The Commissioner! Ho-ho! That's a good one! I

ore. He intended running all the crooks out of town by New Year's Day. Tom shoved McAllister through the crush, across an adjoining room and finall

t? Let's see, how long is

nfident method of address, telling you just who yo

ch!" he crie

Mr. Sheridan. "

n enough!" answered

you can bluff us. If you think you are not Welch

r who stood in the doo

208, if y

out its contents upon the desk. These were fifteen or twenty newspaper clip

l pin from a man named McAllister. Then you turned several tricks in Chicago, St. Lou

r ground

e not!"

t deny it. I wonder the Inspector didn't have you measured and photog

age which undeniably resembled the features which the latte

n't have to tell us anything unless you wa

nto the envelope, handed it to

n!" ord

oral Avernus. The why and wherefore of these erratic trips were, of course, unknown to McAllister. Presumably he must be some rara avis of crime whose feet had been caught inadvertently in the limed twig set by the official fowler for more homely poultry. Fatty Welch, whoever he might be, apparently enjoyed the respect incident to success in any line of human endeavor. It

nstitution, the police court. Before him lay the scene of which he had so often read in the newspapers. The big room with its Gothic windows was filled to overflowing with every variety of the human species, who not only taxed the seat

ed that at best only a few moments could elapse before he was brought to face the charge against him, and that he must make up his mind quickly what course of action to pursue. As

efore this official and briefly informed that anything he might say would be used against him at his trial. He was then interrogated, as before, in regard to his name, age, residence, and occupation, but with the same result. Indeed, no answers seemed to be expected under the circumstances, and the clerk, having written something upon the paper, waved them aside. Nothing, however, of these proceedings had been lost to the reporters, who escorted Tom and McAlliste

thought McAllister.

sposed of. Fatty Welch was the only real "gun" that had been taken. He had the arena practica

What'

e facing the bench, and Tom began hastily

dn't he? You shot the horse, and his partner got away? Wanted in Pennsylvania and Illinois, you say? That's enough.

you co

fill the papers with full accounts of his episode. His incognito must be preserved at any cost. Whatever action he migh

dge, "and it is further alleged that you are a fugitive from j

ght the Judge'

replied faintly. There was a

red with the cle

the prisoner's id

we nabbed him, who should it be but Welch! Ye see, they wired on his description from Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago, but we couldn't find hide or hair of him in the city, and

anced at the form

ommented. "Have you

laug

s gettin' his measurements

d let's see your back,"

round and displayed

is!" exc

t. He had had in his childhood an almost forgotten fall, and the

Day. I will set the hearing for ten o'clock to-morrow morning, at the Tombs police court. I shall be sitting there for Judge Mason the rest of the week, beginning to-morrow,

ficer at the bridge slapped McAll

y good lawyer," he r

ordered

to side and clutching at one another for support with harsh outbursts of profanity, as they rattled down the deserted streets toward New York's Bastile. Staggering for a foot-hold, between four women of the town, McAll

civilly dead." Warden and keepers were ready for the prisoners, who were now unceremoniously bundled out and hustled inside. McAllister stood with the others in a small anteroom leading directly into the lowest tier. He could hear the ceaseless

ty to McAllister, as he entered the words "P

. "I guess I'll send you to Murderer's Row. Holloa, ther

ened a door in the steel grating, and push

the background marched in ceaseless procession an irregular file of men. In the gloom they looked like ghosts. Aimlessly they walk

ntered The D

goin' to put you in with Davidson. He's quiet, and won't bother you if you let him alone. Better giv

d air that floated out from every cell. Above him rose tier on tier, illuminated only by the gray light which filtered through a grimy window at one end of the prison. The arrangement of cells

Jake! Here's a

et square. A faint light came from a narrow, horizontal slit in the rear wall. A faucet with tin basin completed the con

occupant of the berth, rolling lazily over, peere

er!" he whisp

Wilkins, in spite of

moments ne

ilkins at length, in his old respect

himself upon the

lkins?" he ma

ughed rath

wo weeks ago I pleaded guilty to larceny and was sentenced to one year

aged to reply. "I hope my severity in that m

sitated fo

s all right. You've got troubles of your own. Only-you'll excuse

Wilkins apparently bore him no ill-will. Very few of his friends would have

elp you. Wot's t

poured out his whole story, omitting nothing, and, as he f

I do? What shal

coughed dep

r! You'll have to get somethin' better than

so doing knocking his head against

Wilkins! What

u wouldn't tell the truth, sir. But don't you see, sir, hit isn't I as am goin' to list

llowed Wilkins to let it run for him, and having washe

he remarked, rubbin

eone else equally depraved; and since he could not make anyone understand, it seemed his bes

ist each other. If I get out first I'll help you, and vice versa. Now,

answered Wilkins. "Now,

't any

t the jury is apt to distrust 'em. The best thing, I find, is to get the most respectable old solicitor you can-kind of genteel, 'family' variety, with the goodness just stickin' hout all hover

and," said

o secured writing materials and indicte

d been exercising went back to their cells

bsence of a collar-yes, that was really the most unpleasant feature. His neck was not much to boast of, therefore he always wo

g sounded. In a moment the tiers

, Wil

sion. We're not hallowed to talk, but if you don't mind the 'owlin' you can snatch a wink o' sleep.

ot been to church for fifteen years, but evidently he was in for it now. Following

r held the key to the situation. His congregation could not escap

atch crept slowly round to

ced the benediction, a prolonged sigh of relief eddied through the Tombs. Men w

nous, as he had never been before. Presently the longed-for food came, borne by a "trusty" in new white uniform. Wilkins, who had been making a meagre toilet at

he chicken was perhaps not of the variety known as "spring"; but neither ma

late. "Now, I thought only horses ate carrots; and really, they're not bad

ok his head

r 34! Messa

thrust thro

verish haste, and recognized th

venty-Fir

elch

onsideration. I telephoned to Mr. Mc--'s rooms, and was informed by his valet that that gentleman had gone to the country to visit fr

zer P

had gone away?" Then he remembered that he had directed the valet to pack his

t his wi

u get bail

real estate in the city, sir, to

dollars," rep

valet. He regarded his former

a valet and running water he was beginning to feel his oats a little. He check

ed at his watch. One o'clock.

hunder is

sir. City Mission fr

ejaculated

a Presbyterian clergyman took the place on the bridge recently vacated by his Episcopal

and fumed until half past two, when th

e can get some more hexercise

lately through the bars was suddenly confronted by an an?mic young woman holding

mas Day! Please take some of these; they will brighten up your cell wonderfully; an

terly dumfound

name?" continu

ed out our bew

fled snort from

u are not really bad. Won'

the bars, and McAllister g

e murmured, a

n his cot. "O Lawd! O Lawd! O-" and he held his sides w

on grew darker. Gas-jets were lighted here and there, and the air became more

nd smiling from time to time vaguely to himself. Having fumbled in his pocket

averted head. "It's for th

ttle blurred as he mechanic

Wilkins," wa

rattling the doors and telling those

bliged to plead guilty. I might have helped you i

ee, I'd been livin' in Philadelphia, and 'ad just come to New York when I was harrested. I didn't want

ing somebody else's. That hardly seems a fair deal-now does it

d the valet. "You won't never

e crowding into his mind. "And if you knew, why didn't you say so b

er was at the other end of the tier. Then

m Fatty Wel