Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/318

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WAYLAID BY WIRELESS

ing the articles upon his arrival at New York would have undoubtedly permitted his escape there. But clearly he had not counted upon the 'wireless,' and however cleverly he played the rest of his audacious game, he must now pay the penalty of his single oversight. I am sincerely sorry that it appears to be so heavy a one.

"For in the king's name I now arrest you, Mr. Preston-Manling, upon the twenty-seven charges here enumerated, ranging through all manner of theft and larceny to the shanghai-ing of an American citizen at Plymouth, and concluding with the crime at Southampton, in which, among other articles, you obtained that very distinctive plaid steamer rug now before me, acknowledged as yours and accurately described herein," he indicated the transcript of his message, "and also the leather travelling-box, Shibby, London, number 783, lock number 4721, also herein described, and corresponding in every mark and detail to yours in your cabin."

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