登陆注册
5156400000062

第62章

"Union or not Union, I mean to talk it, and I want to know who is going to prevent me?"The two men rose simultaneously from their chairs, and in a second the crack of two revolvers sounded.As if they had only been waiting for the signal, a score of other men leaped up and sprang at each other.They had, as the altercation grew hotter, joined in with exclamations of anger or approval, and Vincent saw that although the Unionists were the majority the party of sympathizers with the South was a strong one.Having neither arms nor inclination to join in a broil of this kind he made his escape into the street the instant hostilities began, and hurried away from the sound of shouts, oaths, the sharp cracks of pistols, and the breaking of glass.Ten minutes later he returned.The hotel was shut up, but an angry mob were assembled round the door shouting, "Down with the rebels! down with the Secessionists!" and were keeping up a loud knocking at the door.

Presently a window upstairs opened, and the proprietor put out his head.

"Gentlemen," ha said, "I can assure you that the persons who were the cause of this disturbance all left the hotel by the back way as soon as the affair was over.I have sent for the police commissioner, and upon his arrival he will be free to search the house, and to arrest any one concerned in this affair."The crowd were not satisfied, and renewed their knocking at the door; but two or three minutes later an officer, with a strong body of police, arrived on the spot.In a few words he told the crowd to disperse, promising that the parties concerned in the affair would be taken un and duly deal with.He than entered the house with four of his men, leaving the rest to wait.Vincent entered with the constables, saying that he was staying at the house.The fumes of gunpowder were still floating about the hall, three bodies were lying on the floor, and several men were binding up their wounds.

The police-officer inquired into the origin of the broil, and all present concurred in saying that it arose from some Secessionists speaking insultingly of the army of the Union.

Search was then made in the hotel, and it was found that eight persons were missing.One of the killed was a well-known citizen of the town; he was the speaker on the Union side of the argument.

The other two were strangers, and no one could say which side they espoused.All those present declared that they themselves were Union men, and it was supposed that the eight who were missing were the party who had taken the other side of the question.The evidence of each was taken down by the police-officer.Vincent was not questioned, as, having entered with the constables, it was supposed he was not present at the affair.

In the morning Vincent read in the local paper a highly colored account of the fray.After giving a large number of wholly fictitious details of the fray, it went on to say:

"The victims were Cyrus D.Jenkins, a much-esteemed citizen and a prominent Unionist; the other two were guests at the hotel; one had registered as P.J.Moore of Vermont, the other James Harvey of Tennessee.Nothing is as yet known as to the persons whose rooms were unoccupied, and who had doubtless made their escape as soon as the affray was over; but the examination of their effects, which will be made by the police in the morning, will doubless furnish a clew by which they will be brought to justice."Having read this, Vincent looked for the news as to the escape from Elmira, being anxious to know whether his companions had been as fortunate as himself in getting clear away.He was startled by reading the following paragraph: "We are enabled to state that the police have received a letter stating that one of the officers who escaped from Elmira prison has adopted the disguise of a minister, and is traveling through the country with a black servant.

At present the authorities are not disposed to attach much credit to this letter, and are inclined to believe that it has been sent in order to put them on a wrong scent.However a watch will doubtless be kept by the police throughout the country for a person answering to this description."Accustomed to rise early, Vincent was taking his breakfast almost alone, only two or three of the other guests having made their appearance.He finished his meal hastily, and went out to Dan, who was lounging in front of the hotel.

"Dan, go upstairs at once, pack the bag, bring it down and get out with it immediately.I will pay the bill.Don't stop to ask questions now."Vincent then walked up to the desk at the and of the hall, at which a clerk was sitting reading the paper.Sincerely hoping that the man's eye had not fallen on this paragraph, he asked if his account was made out.As he had fortunately mentioned on the preceding evening that he should be leaving in the morning, the bill was ready; and the clerk, scarce looking up from the paper, handed it to him.Vincent paid him the amount, saying carelessly, "I think Ihave plenty of time to catch the train for the east?"The clerk glanced at the clock.

"Yes, it goes at 8, and you have twenty minutes.It's only five minutes' walk to the station."

同类推荐
  • 佛为海龙王说法印经

    佛为海龙王说法印经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • THE MOONSTONE

    THE MOONSTONE

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 禅秘要法经

    禅秘要法经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 续贞元释教录

    续贞元释教录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上清修身要事经

    上清修身要事经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 仙道天妃

    仙道天妃

    【新作:《校园驭兽女皇》连载中~】前世,一代天女为师姐所嫉妒,被陷害与魔君有染,受刑身死;今生,她投胎为人间一个小女婴,誓要飞升成仙!法宝?本命飞剑一出,谁与争锋;丹药?丹神秘传在手,凡草也能变仙丹;绝世天才?在真仙转世面前,一切都是浮云!只是谁能告诉她,这一世,为何她真的和那个十恶不赦的魔君纠缠不清……她以剑锋指他,冰冷警惕:“你……到底是谁?”他眉梢一挑,轻笑:“你的未婚夫!” 企鹅群: 柒玖柒零伍柒捌壹叁/七九八八三六八五四
  • 绿茵之翼

    绿茵之翼

    大空翼的曲线射门,日向小次郎的猛虎射门,葵新伍的直角假身,罗伯特-本乡的倒挂金钩……拥有现实版《足球小将》技能的戴志伟,能否在绿茵场展翅翱翔,撑起华夏足坛的脊梁?——新书《篮坛精算师》没有乔丹?那给个流川枫的附加值。没有奥尼尔?那再给个森重宽的模板。化腐朽为神奇,助球星变超巨,只因大卫-阿德尔曼。金手指:给你15美元,5个档次、5大位置,你该如何分配《灌篮高手》球星能力?
  • 惟愿安好

    惟愿安好

    家国恩怨,皇室雪恨。多舛命途,沉沦起伏。柔弱女子,枭雄手段。她本是侯府一位普通小姐,却意外卷入一场场权力的纷争,最终自己也难逃宿命。念念不忘的竹马,温柔多情的王子,冷漠如冰的恩人,默默守候的骑士,一往情深的未婚夫,哪怕倾世女皇,也不过是揣着“一世一双人”情怀的简单少女,在爱情的天秤里,她又该如何倾斜?既然不能逃避,就迎难而上,看她如何一步步一统山河。
  • 针邪密要

    针邪密要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 有你,时光恰好

    有你,时光恰好

    陶青春的桃花迟来了二十多年。在她的世界中,汽车看轮,男人看腿,所以当须木泽顶着一张让阳光都黯然失色的脸蛋,迈着长腿走向她时,她的人生圆满了。从偶然相遇时的惊艳,到怦然心动后的温暖,陶青春的心不由自主地沦陷下去。可她没有想到,在这关键时刻,大学时的学长居然回国向她表白了!果然桃花不是一朵一朵开的!陶青春姗姗来迟的春天为何如此像冬天……
  • 养蒙金鉴

    养蒙金鉴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 妃常有毒,宸王别嚣张

    妃常有毒,宸王别嚣张

    顾晴雨当了十年平生殿尊主,人人敬畏的平朝第一人,没想到有朝一日竟被心腹暗算,本以为身死道消,却因命定机缘重生到平都柳相府不受宠的嫡女身上。大婚当日醒来,顾晴雨准备一走了之,却不想一头撞进平都深不可测的朝局阴谋里,也撞入了那个人眼里心里……赵宸之是平朝皇室嫡长子,因母后早逝,妖妃当道,混的“凄惨无比”。对于妖妃塞给他的女人,赵宸之本想不闻不问,却不料那个女人胆子大到敢逃婚……很好,女人,你成功的吸引了本王的注意!
  • 明伦汇编交谊典主司门生部

    明伦汇编交谊典主司门生部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 凉拌菜谱(美食与保健)

    凉拌菜谱(美食与保健)

    民以食为天。我们一日三餐的饭菜不仅关系我们的生命,更关系我们的健康。因此,我们不但要吃饱吃好,还要吃出营养、吃出健康、吃出品味,吃出高水平的生活质量。
  • 灾心变

    灾心变

    作为人类,你是否有尝试跳出“人类”这个思维?人都是头次为人,若不能自在潇洒……那还何必留恋人间