The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-16

his old frie; DIS Standardization, ha'
almost decided to take some decisiv
step on his own authority, when neV
complication introduced itself into tn
drama. This was nothing less than tn
temporary retirement of the doctor
veteran man-servant-popularly know
as "Old Sam "-whose health had be
gun to give way 50 manifrstly that hi
master insisted on sending him into tn
country for three months holiday, re
placing him with another man. who hat
volunteered as promptly as il he hat
been keeping his eye on the place for
year past. The newcomer was grave
smooth faced, tacitu1n man, who move'
rs noiselessly as shadow, and seemed
living mbinatiop of the two proverb
ial requisites of good servant-silenc
and obedience.
But although the doctor and his friend
highly approved of this model domestic
there was one man who did not. Tha
one was Harry Everett, who lost NJ
time in announcing his opinion. Lool
here, doctor. don't want TO be Away
bothering you about this robbery idea
but it's fact that that new fellow o
yours is up to some mischief. l wa:
coming home pretty late last night, wher
I caught sight of him standing at th'
garden gate, talking to couple of men
One of them happened to turn his fac'
to the lamplight as 1 passed, and knew
him at once for noted thief. who goe!
by the name of Badger Bill.
Indeed? Are you sure Of thatp"
"Quite sure. You know never for
get face I've once seen."
"Ah! In that case, it's time for me
to act"
The last word was so curiously EN-
phasized, that Harry, who was moi
wanting in shrewdness, began to sus
pect that his persistent warnings to
the doctor had been superfuous 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'
edly, saying: "Give me some dinner
my boy. You've no engagement fol
this evening, I know; so I'm going to
be very benevolent, and find you some
amusement myself. Have you ever
read The Count of Monte-Cristo" be.
cause you're going to see chapter OF
it dramatized tonight, and pretty
effectively too, I fatter myself"
What do you mean?" asked Everett,
staring.
"Why, you see, I told my servants a
few days ago that / should be away
from home tonight, and my cook natur-
ally 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
prejudiced. IT'S quite possible that the
two honest gentlemen with whom you
saw him talking the other night, may
| be kind enough to enliven his solitude
with visit; and So"
Harry sprang to his feet, and cut a
caper worthy of dancing dervish,
snappin his fingers by way OF accom-
paniment. "Capital! firstrate! l see
it all now! But come now, doctor; why
on earth couldn't you tell me before that
you were up to the whole game, instead
of letting me make a fool OF myself by
preaching to q man as smart rs any six
Of me?"
Never mind, my boy" said the doc
tor, laughing. "Your warning was
kindly meant, all the same. Eat your
dinner-you'll want it before the even
ing's over, can promise you-and then
we'll have our talk"
Dinner over, the doctor lit one of the
incompatible cigars which were his
sole luxury, and proceeded to expound
his plan of action. "1've locked up
the outer room that opens into my mys-
terious chamber, which puts two
strong doors between it and the robbers.
MY estimable servant will warn them of
this-they will try the window instead.
He'll let them in by the garden-door,
and give them the ladder that lies be-
side it to mount by. Well hide in the
stable, which-thanks to my keeping
my brougham elsewhere-has been un-
used so long that no one would dream
of suspecting it; but I can open the
door easily enough. And then"
"And then," broke in Harry eagerly,
"we'll 60 for them the minute they ap-
pear. It'll be fine chance to try my
new revolver"
"Better leave it at home," said the
doctor quietly: I'VE shall want no
weapons for this job"
"Why, are you going to mesmerise
the fellows?" asked Everett, completely
luystified.
"Waita and see," "chuckled the doctor.
"We needn't be there till eleven. for
my honest domestic will make sure, be-
fore giving the signal, that I'm not
coming back; and besides, an expert
enced burglar seldom begins work till
after midnight. The only thing to be
sure of is that nobody see US getting in
But in this fortune favored them; and
as the doctor had foretold the lock OF
the stable door, rusty as it looked, moved
without difficulty, and the two conspira-
tors glided in, unseen and unheard.
Weary, weary work, crouching there
in the darkness. with ear and eye
strained 10 the utmost tor the first sign
OF the coming danger. DR.. Bistoury's
practicel nerves bore even this pro.
longed trial easily enough; but 70 the
impulsive, excitable Everett it was alb.
solute torture. Like ali young soldiers,
he found the suspense before the action
infinitely more trying than the fray it
self. The stable opened on the street
close TO the garden door, and its further
window, at which the two watchers
had posted themselves, commanded the
whole side of the house, the blackness
of which was relieved only by solitary
light in one of the upper windows. Sud.
denly the light vanished, ard reappeared
moment later-a performance repeated
three times in quick succession.
"That must be the signal" whispered
the doctor. keep your ears open
Harry"
Courageous as Everett was, he felt
his pulse quicken, and his hand went
instinctively to the revolver which
despite the doctors verdict, he had per.
sisted in bringing with him.
"Hark! Was thata stealthy footsteI
outsider"
The next moment came low whis
tie. instantly answered from the house
and :hen shadowy figure, issuing from
the building, glided noiseiessly to the
garden-door, and opened it to admit two
others.
They've got the ladder" whispered
DR.. Bistoury, as the three phantom!
crossed the garden. Be on the look
out. my boy; you're going to see some
thing worth seeing"
The ladder was soon planted agains
the mysterious window; and Badgel
Bill, after whispering to his comrad'
to keep an eye" on their worthy con
federate, assembled, and cutting out .
pane so dexterously that the sound wa
barely audible, put his hand through
and shot back the hasp. His two as
sistants mounted after him; and Bill
stepping, cautiously into the room