Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-02-29
With hooking laugh, Silas answered


turned away, saying
II find what men have failed to do
men whose thoughts and energy are
given entirely to such work You mock
me, sir.
'sFind my gold, and you'll find your
BRIDE" Kissed Silas.
II will work for gold, as much, and
bring you, urged Reginald.
'ENo, want only my own gold. Find
that, if you wish my child.
Reginald could not go and tell Mira
of his failure Disheartened he sought
his home. With head bowed on his
hand, he sat and reviewed, over and over
the same ground so many had gone be-
fore, weighing every little point, every
word he had heard of the mysterious
affair, but as vainly as others. No light
shone in the darkness.
'''Tis useless, he said" Il will not
| attempt it, lest become as mad as ST.
las Shaw himself. For mad be surely
! is or he would not try me thus"
Then Mira's beautiful face and tear
full eyes rose up before him, and again
! his brain began to work.
"Only in heaven it is known, and
there, | fear it must remain" he said
sadly, ''unless some angel voice should
| whisper 1t to me.
Hours passed and still he sat. All
darkness-no light breaking in yet.
Starting up he threw off his coat, and
dropped, heart-sicl and weary, on his
bed, eXclaiming;
Il shall strive no more. My brain is
burning with fever now"
A few moments and he might have
fallen into little dose, from which he
started, and cried out
Il have it, | have it"
Had some angel spirit-his mother,
perchance-whispered in his ear, reveal
ing the long hidden secret? Perhaps he
felt 50.
Seeking Silas Shaw early next day,
Reginald said:
''bIr. Shaw, | accept your terms. |
believe | have a clue by which | shall
find the thief probably your gold.
That may perfect my plan of detec-
ton, | beg that you will permit me to
! become an inmate of this house for a
few nights, say week. At the end of
this time, if ! do not solve this mystery,
| shall give it up.
Again the old hooking laugh from ST
las, and he said angrily:
Il understand you. You want to rob
/ INC u my Udu5utcl'
Send her away, to remain during the
time | shall be here, if You have no con
tidence in me.
4 tciU, said Silas adding, Tell me
what Won wish to come here for p
Because | believe the thief is init
matcly acquainted here; aye, perhaps q
member of your household. You may,
if YOU choose, let it be thought YOU have
more money or valuables about your
premises, aud shall watch the result. 3"
Silas agreed, and Reginald that night
occupied the room adjoining the old
mans.
/ Three nights passed without bringing
/ him any more light on the subject
/ Twice during his midnight watches he
stole to the door of Silas room attracted
/ by stealthy step within, to see only the
old manmoving about-he. perhaps, anX-
/ ious and Watchful too.
The fourth night, exhausted from the
/ loss of rest and great excitement, Regi-
nald dropped upon couch, and soon
! after fell into a restless, uneasy slumbcr,
from which he would start, and gaze
wildly around. Many times he did this,
until. at length there came something to
rivct his eager eyes upon.
Stealing nOiselessly through his room,
by the dimly burning taper he beheld a
man, hearing small lamp He ap-
+ preached. opened the door, and passed
out into the hall.
Up and after him, with a step as noise
! less. stole Reginald. Through the long
/ passages. down flight after flight of steps,
+ into the very depths they went.
Carefully placing his lamp on the Gel
lar floor, the man turned, and then for
the first time his features were revealed
to Reginald. They were not unknown.
Drawing from hiding-place a small
step ladder, the man approached the
center Of the room, where Reginald he
held a Cistern, over into which the man,
dropping his ladder and again securing
his lamp, descended slowly and cauti-
ously. After him Reginald crept I'M
noticed, The place was dry, as he sus-
pcCtcd The lamp again placed on the
floor, and something like a small pick
drawn forth, the man went to work. 4
few bricks We're removed, and pushing
aside the dust he drew out the long lost
gold, Reginald knew it was. even be
fore the box was opened. \ moment
after his eyes btheld his triumph. Mira
was his. Then was the moment for &C
ton.
With a smart tap ON the mans shout
der, he said
Mr. Shaw. awake. Here is YOUR
gold"
The somnambuliat turned, gazcd wild
ly on Reginald, who pointed to the box
of cold. and repeated:
There is your long lost gold, Mr.
Shaw"
The old man was awake. his eyes gaz-
inc eagerly on hja treasure. He knew
ali then. and in his GREAT i0y sank. rs
I"Oi.