"As to the money." said I. "I am in no hurry to get it, but I must, in some way, secure the grip."
"I believe," said he, "if you can get along without it for awhile, it would he much better to leave it where it is, as Burns has evidently made up his mind that there is nothing more of your belongings in that house, for if the detectives thought differently they would surely make a further investigation. Burns' men are guarding the house, but evidently for the purpose of catching you, should you attempt to return."
The talk that my attorney put up on this occasion convinced me that he was not standing in with the detectives, but I could not satisfy myself that he had used his best efforts in my behalf in the matter of securing the money. However, I told him that I expected to leave the city on the evening following and would go to Portland, Maine, for a month or so until matters would cool down. He thought this a good plan and suggested that I correspond with him. which I promised to do. Returning him to the car line. I bade him goodby for the present and drove away.
After driving some distance, I met a workman carrying a dinner pail and some tools, and bargained with him to return the team to the livery, some four miles distant, which he agreed to do for a dollar. He looked like an honest fellow and I thought it safe to take the chance, besides, I had determined, instead of leaving on "the evening following" and going to "Portland, Maine," to go on to New York City; so taking the street car to Worcester, I caught the 1 o'clock train that night and arrived in New York the next morning.
Engaging a room at the Cadillac, 43d and Broadway, I remained at this hotel for three days and went about my business throughout the city as though nothing unusual had happened. I did not disguise myself in any manner, as I did not deem it necessary.
From the hotel, I moved to a private boarding house on West 44th street, where I remained for ten days longer, making my entire stay in New York City just thirteen days altogether.
I put in the time as pleasantly as possible under the circumstances, though I cannot say that I enjoyed my visit, as the loss of my grip was continually preying on my mind, and I felt ill at ease because of the uncertainty of being able to recover it.
I did not abandon hope, however, and being determined on making another try, I returned to Worcester, from whence I went into Boston, arriving there after an absence of exactly two weeks.
About 9:30 a. m., I 'phoned to my friend (the gentleman who had taken me to his brother's farm on the morning immediately after my escape from Burns), and informed him of my return to the city, referring to myself as the doctor, and taking the precaution, as I had on previous occasions in talking with him over the "phone, to inquire how my patient was getting along. We arranged for a meeting for 10:30, and at the appointed time, he came to see me.
As I had not talked with him immediately before my departure from Boston, I made him acquainted with what took place at that time; how my attorney had failed in his efforts to secure the grip and that the money also was being withheld by the bank. I likewise informed him of my visit to New York City and described how I had led my attorney to believe that I had gone to Portland. Maine, and of having told him that I would leave at a certain time, but took my departure just one day earlier than that stated.
Asking my friend as to the prospects of securing my grip at this time, he said that he had not been to the boarding house since, having acted under my suggestion that he keep away and give the detectives an opportunity to become discouraged. He could not say as to whether the place was still being watched, but had been given to understand that the officers were still looking for me.
Being of the opinion that it would be safe, at least, for my friend to call on the landlady, and believing, further, that she would know if the detectives were Page 260
