, 1877-01-12

When they had finished their work Of
depreciation, they began a muttered con-
sultation about something. The words,
d" Capbin's Eekl,sh customer; Keeps re
| roirer ia his room. Four Of us ought to
manage one man and n woman We know
the worst OF it, etc, made me aware
that they were going to break into Hell
ems room. Oh. could nothing be done ?
We'll" said one, II vote we gets
some prog first, and ieetie Of something
to drink, for I'm mortal dry"
This sentiment awoke sympathetic
I feelings in the breasts Of his comrades,
and they agreed to adjourn TO the cell
lars.
We must make tho gal safe" sail
one who had seemed rather more kindly
! disposed toward me than the others; Ill
tie her hands with q bit Of this cord
and stuff a towel in her mouth, and I'll
warrant she'll be safe enough for any
| thing"
"rie her to the chair, then. You fool, "
said the captain, with an oath.
The man did as he was bid and then
they went off in search of the cellars, shut
ting the door, but not locking it. Now
or never was my time for action. l
had noticed whilst was being tied that
a barrel-shaped box for holding string
was screwed on to o workable of Hell
ems, near the window. Along the top
of the box was fixed a sharp blade for
cutting the string. 1t crossed my mind
that if 1 conld manage to get free
from the chair could cut the cord that
fastened my hands, on the blade, and
| then"
If had allowed myself to dwell up
on the result 1 believe 1 should have
lost my senses. Most fortunately for
me my hands we're tied in front, or the
scheme would have been fruitless; and
1 felt almost grateful to the friendly
burglar for dealing so leniently with me.
1 wriGhed and struggled in vain TO un-
do the cord that bound me to the chair,
and 1 despaired of accomplishing my
object before the robbers should have
finished their carouse and returned to
the attack. Suddenly the idea crossed
me that perhaps might drag The cha6
toith me. 1t was not o heavy one and
there was just enough moonlight to en-
able me to cross the room without
stumbling over any article of furniture.
I found that could not move in q sit
ting position, aud that if I could sue
ceed at all, it would be on my hands
and knees. Slowly, and with the great
est difficulty, contrived to drag myself
to the workable, when I raised my
bound hands and rubbed the cord
fiercely over the blade, regardless of the
severe cuts I was inhicting upon my
r.. - II Il
known Of them but for the blood that
streamed down my arms. At last they
were freel But even then it was work
of ages-as it appeared to me-for my
poor, stiff, bleeding hands to sever the
other bandages with penknifs Of Hell
ems. However, renewed hope gave me
renewed strength, and at length I sue
ceeded. crept cautiously to the dool
and listened at the key-hole, but could
hear nothing. Then turned the han.
die and softly opened il, and prepared
to cross the creaking hall floor, which
was obliged to do very slowly for fear Of
betraying myself. I was half way uI
the stairs, and began to think fortune
had favored me, when, to my intense
horror, one of the stairs gave an audible
creak, and 1 faneied 1 heard muttered
exclamation and afootstepl quickened
my steps incautiously, and, in doing So
stumbled over my trailing night-dress
and slipped down several stairs with 6
loud crash.
All concealment was now of course
over, and picking myself up as best ]
could, 1 few upstairs. shrieking "mur
der seized the rope attached to the
alarm bell and pulled with all my
strength, causing such q clamor as sooI
brought Captain Hargrave and trooI
of servants with scared faces to learr
the cause Of the alarm.
Follow the burglars, quick, the
safe |" 1 managed to say, and then faint
ed dead away in Helen arms.
The fright 1 had received had caused
such severe shock to my nervous sys
tenn that was not able TO leave my bee
for fortnight, and, indeed, did not re
cover my usual health for month. The
burglars were most Of them captured
and the whole Of the precious contentl
Of Bob's " romantic safe recovered, tc
my great Joy. Twas not so fortunate
for lost my gold watch and chain, e2(
in money and a valuable brooch, which
the burglar captain took with him tC
America.
The fuss that was made about me
when the story became known, was al
most incredible. Day after day carriages
rolled up to Ashton Hall, with visitors
to inquire after "dear brave little Miss
Drysdale," and toleave flowers and fruit.
1 knew 1 had done nothing whatever tc
deserve all this honizing," and openly
avowed what a coward l had been in re.