Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-28

hark ury lWlg cracked under hcaVy
foot u hare, started from its sleep, scurried
past him Gypsy gave n low growl and stood
still. Amos had borrowed the farmers gun
and now held it ready there were certainly
strangers in the plantation. To put it to the
test he gave n peculiar signal whistle. There
was no response. A fellow-keeper would
have answered.
He stood for minute or two with his gun
at half-cock; then, as if thoroughly reassur-
ed. pursued his course, with Gipsy limping
beside him. quite as weary as his master,
though not one whit more content or salts
fed.
As usual, Amos had entered the plantation
by the copse- gate the cut thence across the
park saved at least third the distance Of the
road proper.
Tonight he stood in need of rest but now
he was on the alert, and wide awake Coup
ling that stealtly tread with the growl of the
dog, and Hope, communication, he was in
clined to pay more heed to her warning and
felt how necessary it WAS that be should
reach the hall without arousing suspicion in
the evil minds so near to him He stepped
on boldly as if on ordinary duty, lettering
now and then, and patting Gypsy with pleas
ant word apparently going further away in
to the covert, yet drawing nearer to the open
park with every step.
Once away from the shadow Of the trees
he made direct for the hail. ponderng how
best to get immediate speech with Sir VIII
liam without first running the gauntlet Of the
servants hall.
He was anticipated. The Baronet lad Civ
en- orders that Immediately on the game
keepers return he should be shown into the
library.
There lie found Sir William seated at a
large table, with books and papers before
him. and two or three money bags at his ell
bow, which lad been that day paid in by his
steward.
Shutters were fastened, curtains drawn,
the fire glowed, the wax-lights in the silver
caudelabra were repeated in the glazed fronts
of ponderous book cases; and as Sir William
half turned III his chair to greet the nowcom-
er, Amos had a vision Of struggle for the
bags upon the table, and the words silence
with the knife" came into his mind with
painful suggestiveuess
And so the young woman is found I'm
glad of it And where was it, Hedey; and
how came it all abouty You must tell NE
the whole story" and the Barunet smiled
pleasantly, ''for your lady will not bate jot
of the news, and l shall have to retail it.
Lady Derwent is greatly interested in your
sweetheart-shall We say =
1t wns impossible to answer all the Baro-
nets cordial questions at once, and Amos
hesitated. There was a look of gravity on
the young mans face, as well as an utterly
exhausted droop of his shoulders. There
was wine on the table. Struck by something
in the young mans voice or manner, Sir Viii
liam flied a wiueglass from a decantor on the
table, and bade him drink that before le be-
gan, it would put h, art into him"
But he had already begun. His tale would
not brook delay. Briefly aud modestly he
told the story Of anxious quest attrilutiug
H.. ,,FI Y,t5r IN
sagacity Of Gipsy, and dwelt more ON the pit
liable condition in which the lost girl was
found than on the adventurous descent of
himself and others. His masters commiscr-
alton was reused but its expression was ar
rested as Amos luneX eXpt ctt dly drew close, and,
leaning one hand on the table, bent down to
tell in lowered tones that Hope had fallen in
to the old pit in endeayUring to Cyade Nick
Faw and two Others who had planned in her
hearing to lr, ak into Derwentsde Hall that
very night, for plunder and it might be
mUrd, also.
Sir William grasped tie arms Of his chair
and half rose from his seat aghast and con-
founded, as he well might be. But he was a
brave man, and after that first surprised start,
listened with apparent composure while
Amos went ON to say that lie had heard
stnnge footsteps in the wood, aud believed
the wrctch,S were lurking there in readiness.
mo doubt, 10 doubt acquiosccd Sir Viii
liam 'aud We must he ready too, he ad-
drd, with his hand on the embroidered bell
pull.
Thwait, 5, the pompous old butler, came at
the summons. He had been n servant in the
family from boyhood.
In horror aud amazement he uplifted his
fat hands. unable to comprehend the enormi-
~ of q burglary at Derwentsde. But he was
alive to the need for prOmptitude and eau
ton. With Amos in tow he left the library
10 carry ont instructions.
Cook had substantial supper ready for
Amos Men and women servants crowded
round to ply him with questions. 1t was ten
O'Clock. Lady Derwent had rung for her
maid half AN hour. ITO bed, to-bed, you
chattering women folk" cried Thwaites. 1T
is long past time. Sir William wants the
house quiet he has Mr.. Ramsay's accounts
to overlook"
He was imperative. The maids retired
grumbling, the hOustkeeper following with
light in wire screen, as was her custom, to
secure the extinction of other candles. All
bolts and bars had been previously adjusted,
and to an outside spectator the household Rp-
peared to sink into nights torpor and quies-
cence as usual.
When the coast was clear Sir William and
the butler armed the men servants with cudg-
els or pistols, and with many charge to be
silent, placed them two and two in the lower
rooms. the point of attack being as uncertain
as the number of the robbers.
Derwentside Hall was plain stone edifice,
with tagged pavement on three sides, while
the other oyerhung the river at an elevation,
and so was safe from attack, 1t had been
calculated that footsteps, however stealthy,
would be heard upon this pavement but the
men had come with muiiled feet and the first
intimation of their approach was the sound of
a file on the unglazed grating of the larder
window.
Iron woodwork, and wirework were all
old, the operators skillful; ere long the
framework gave way with little noise, Some
one crushed through the gap, and dropped ON
padded feet-a second followed-a third the
flash of a lantern cleaned ON the passage
walls there was a stoppage at the buffers
pantry a jingle Of keys, as if the lock was
being picked lOw-voiced suggestion to
make sure of the coin first it was safest and
then the three ruflians passed into the large
kitchen ON their way to the opposite door,
the one with the dark lantern in the rear.
There was dull red glow in the heart of the
recently-slaked fire which barely cast a light
on the bright iron fender and white hearth,
leaving the corners of the great kitchen in
deep shadow.
As the third man stole in, Amos, who stood
ready, closed the door behind him, shadowy
forms dArted from every corner, .and the in
truders found themselves in "A trap.
Surrender, you yagabOnds!" cried Sir
William, and the cock of pistol was heard
TO enforce the command.
"Nivyor !" roared the leader; lit be thee
or me for it," and darted forward to throw