The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-09-11

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"Yes; some time ago."
"Well, he don't seem to do his duty
then, for I've passed this way at al
hours of the night and have never seer
him. Are you quite sure he's to bt
trusted?"
"Wait and seer replied the Doctor
oracularly.
And Everett waited but did not see
The invisible Waterman remained as in.
visible as ever; and Harry, out of pa.
thence with his old friends seeming in.
fatuation, had almost decided to take
some decisive step on his own author.
ity, when a new complication intro
duced itself into the drama. This was
nothing less than the temporary retire
ment of the Doctors veteran man.
servant-popularly known as "Old
Sam'-whose health had begun to give
way so manifestly that his master insist
ed on sending him into the country for
a three months holiday, replacing him
with another man who had volunteered
as promptly as if he had been keeping
his eye on the place for year past
The newcomer was a grave-smOoth-
faced, taciturn man, who moved as
noiselessly as shadow and seemed q
living combination Of the two proverbial
requisites of good servant, silence and
obedience.
But although the Doctor and his
friends highly approved of this model
domestic, there was one man who did
not. That one was Harry Everett, who
lost no time in announcing his opinion.
"Look here, Doctor. don't want to
be always bothering you about this rob-
berry idea; but it's q fact that the new
fellow of yours is up to some mischief.
was coming home pretty late last
night when ] caught sight of him stand
ing at the garden-gate. talking to a
couple of men. One of them happened
to turn his face to the lamplight as 1
passed and knew him at once for a
noted thief who goes by the name of
Badger Bill"
Indeed? Are you sure of thatP'
"Quite sure. You know 1 never for
get face I've once SEEN"
"Ah! In that case, it's time for me
to act" The last word was so curious
ly emphasized that Harry, who was not
wanting in shrewdness, began to sus-
pect that his persistent warnings to the
Doctor had been superf1uous, after all,
and that the old gentleman was quite
equal to the emergency.
This suspicion was confirmed one
evening about a week later, when the
Doctor dropped in upon him unexpect-
eddy, saying: "Give me some dinner,
my boy. You've no engagement for
this evening. know; SO I'm going to
be very benevolent and find you some |
amusement myself. Have you ever
read The Count of Monte Cristop' be-
cause you're going to see a chapter of |
il dranatized tonight and pretty effec-
lively too, fatter myself"
What do you mean?" asked Ever
EFT, staring.
"Why, you see, told my servants, a
few days ago, that should be away
from home tonight and my cook natu-
rally seized the chance of getting leave
for an evening OUT consequently, the
house will be under the sole charge of
that worthy man-servant of mine,
against whom you're SO unaccountably
It's quite possible that the
two honest gentlemen with whom YOU
saw him talking the other night may be
kind enough to enliyen his solitude with
q visit; and So"
Harry sprang to his feet, and cut a
caper worthy of dancing dervish,
swapping his fingers by way of accom-
paniment. "Capital! first-rate! 1 see
{ all now! But come now, Doctor; why
IN earth couldn't you tell me before
hat you were up to the whole game,
instead of letting me make a fool of
myself by preaching to man as smart
Is any six of me?''
"Never mind, my boy" SAID the
Doctor, laughing. "Your warning was
Kindly meant, all the same. Eat your
iinner-you'll soant it before the even
ng's over, l can promise you-and
hen Wen have our talk"
Dinner over, the Doctor lit one of the
cigars which were his .
ole luxury, and proceeded to expound
lis plan of action. "Pve locked up the ,
utter room that opens into my mysteri-
JUS chamber, which puts two strong
loors between it and the robbers. NV {
stimable servant will warn them of ,
his, and they II try the window instead. I
lie ii let them in by the garden door, {
nd give them the old ladder that lies !
eside it to mount by. We'll hide in thej !
table. which-thanks to my keeping Z
ny brougham elsewhere-has been I'M G
sed so long that no one would dream G
suspecting it; but can open the door +
asily enough. And then" (
And them" broke in Harry eagerly, t
well go for them the minute they ap- 4
ear. It'll be fine chance to try my ]
ew revolver" s
"Better leave it at home," said the a
'octor quietly; 1--WE shall want no b
'eapons for this job" a
Why, are you going to mesmerize n
he fellows?" asked Everett, completely (
justified.
" Wait and see," chuckled the Doc
n. We needn't be there till eleven,
II my honest domestic will make sure,
efore giving the signal, that I'm not L
hoA |