Still I felt sure that I should be losing some of the vantage ground I had gained through the day, if I released him whilst matters were in their present position.
At last I said, “I have a duty to perform, and I cannot shrink one step therefrom.
“You absconded from England, and having incurred expense in finding you, I cannot and will not release you until you have given me some material guarantee that the funds which you have deposited in the Merchants’ Bank in this city, shall not be touched until you have made a satisfactory settlement with me.”
My determination had the effect of again making him change his tactics. He upbraided me for bringing two detectives to his hotel, threatened vengeance against me for having been given into their custody, and asked me indignantly what I required.
An idea flashed across my mind. I confess it was a piece of strategy, and, conceived as it was in a minute, I could hardly hope that my prisoner would fall into the trap I wished to lay for him.
I replied—
“You are anxious to get back to your family, and I am equally anxious to terminate this painful interview. I will release you on the following conditionss:—You shall draw a checque for the funds (with the exception of a few pounds for your immediate use), which you have placed in the Merchants’ Bank, payable to your order and my order jointly, and deposit the same with my solicitor. As a man of business,” I continued, carelessly, “you are aware that I shall not be able to touch this money without your endorsement to the check.”
I confess I did not draw his particular attention to the fact that he would be equally helpless without my signature.
Neither could he have given one moment’s consideration to this feature in the transaction, or he certainly would not have so readily acceded to my terms. He appeared lost to every idea but that of his present escape; he immediately drew up the cheque, which he signed and handed to Mr. Roe.
I was now as anxious to get rid of him as I had been a few hours previously to effect his capture.