Two Knapsacks eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 607 pages of information about Two Knapsacks.

Two Knapsacks eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 607 pages of information about Two Knapsacks.
his whip, he drew back towards the fence.  “Shoot the d——­d spy, boys,” the ruffian cried to the fellows behind him, and, as they slacked their speed, the lawyer jumped the fence to put some solid obstacle between himself and their revolvers, which, he knew, they were only too ready to use.  At that moment a horseman rode towards the party from the other side of the bridge, and, while aiming a blow with a stout stick at the first scoundrel, a blow that was effectual, called to the others, in a voice of authority, to put up their pistols “O Lord, boys, it’s Nash; drive on,” called one, and they whipped up their patient animals and rattled away in a desperate hurry.  “You can come out now, Mr. Coristine,” said the horseman; “the coast is clear.”

“You have the advantage of me, sir,” remarked the lawyer, as he vaulted back again into the road.

“No I have not,” replied the other; “you called me a damnable scoundrel, and threatened me with the penitentiary, a little while ago.  How’s Toner?”

“I am obliged for your interference just now on my behalf, but must decline any intercourse with one who has been guilty of what I regard as most dishonourable conduct, profaning the sacred name of religion in order to compass some imfamous private end.”

“My ends, Mr. Coristine, are public, not private, nor are they infamous, but for the good of the community and the individuals composing it.  I know your firm, Tylor, Woodruff and White, and your firm knows me, Internal Revenue Detective Nash.”

“What! are you the celebrated Mr. Nash of the Penetang Bush Raid?” asked the lawyer, curiosity, and admiration of the man’s skill and courage, overcoming his aversion to the latest detective trick.

“The same at your service, and, as the best thing I can do for you is to take you to your Inn, a dry way out of the dew, you can get on my beast, and I’ll walk for a rest,” replied the detective, alighting.

Coristine was tired, so, after a little pressing, he accepted the mount, and, of course, found it impossible to refuse his confidence to the man whose horse he was riding.

“What did you do with your clerical garb?” he asked.

“Have it on,” replied Nash; “it’s a great make up.  This coat of black cord has a lot of turned up and turned down tag ends, the same with the vest, and the soft hat can be knocked into any shape with a dift of the fist.  With these, and three collars, and moustache, beard, and whiskers, that I carry in my pocket, I can assume half-a-dozen characters and more.”

“How do you justify your assumption of the priestly character?”

“I want information, and assume any character to get it, in every case being guilty of deception.  You think my last role unjustifiable because of the confessional.  Had I simulated a Methodist parson, or a Presbyterian minister, or a Church of England divine, you would have thought much less of it; and yet, if there is any bad in the thing, the one is as bad as the other.  Personally, I regard the confessional as a piece of superstitious ecclesiastical machinery, and am ready to utilize it, like any other superstition, for the purpose of obtaining information.  Talk about personating the clergy; I have even been bold enough to appear as a lawyer, a quaker, a college professor, a sailor, and an actress.”

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Two Knapsacks from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.