Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-09

By this time | was convinced that had
fallen int" the clutches of a madman
What was Ia he done II would he Of no
use to shout for assistance "Di~cretiOn y
thought |, is the better part of valor. es
peCiai!y in dealing with lunatic In
stead of opposing the doctor, will try
and humur him In the first place will
question him about this mysterious per
son who i seated at my side
Well doctor, said, how soon is the
sentence to he carried OUT"
In about ten minutes he replied with
infinite Calmness, as he looked at his
watch
Then will You allow me to spend por-
tion of my time in conversation with my
fellow prisoner
"Cprtainlv There's no objections to
that But you will ind him very obsti
nate fellow, said DR. Finch, pettishly. Il
an I get word out of him"
Perhaps, If you, doctor, was TO exert
your authority. and ask him to speak to
ne. he would listen to You"
"Hs capital idea" quoth the doctor
eagerly I'm much oblige to you. III
~ at once"
He accordingly set down his lantern on
ilt SloNlhh anu SN'f'plilk llll lllN lhNt WAS
m level with my companions hat,
,houted thus into his ear
"Fswkes' Guido Fswkes. don't be OBJ
,tinate any longer. You've only got eight
minutes left and your friend Mr.. Catesby
wants Ia speak to you"
NV blood ran chill at these words,
which unfnlded the singular delusiOn un-
ler which DIR Finch was laboring
ould understand now why | was tied,
nj why was knee deep in straw. and
thy my gaOler carried lantern. As for
~ mysterious companion he made no
rply, notwithstanding the doctors earn
= request that he would speak
He's sulky brute, this Fawkes isn't
9, Mr.. Catesby'" quoth the doctor con
ldentially
He drew near. and fastened good sized
rag, containing some tOlerably weighty
ubstanCe. round my neck There, Mr.
atesby," he said, now | think you will
'e thoroughly comfortable. This bag con
aims three pounds weight of excellent
yunpowder As soon as the fire reaches
t, you will go up like a rocket, without
NY further annoyance"
Il am much obliged for your civility,
w Apl' lAal iilNtl ti
Well. Mr. Catpsby. the time is up:
nust wish you good night. You hear no
laliCe against me, of course am
merely the agent of the law. will light
our fire At once"
MY landlady. when talking Of dOmes
iC fire. could not speak more COOl;y or
nore CiviIly than did this maniac. With
hese words Dr. Finch drew q box OF
matches from his pocket, and presently
leard the sound Of scratch. scratch.
cratCh'r
Ny position resembled that of wretch
angling over precipice, who feels that
he plants to which he Ii Clinging are
gradually being uprOoted by the weight
+ his body. Here was. in a lonely wood
midnight, fettered to my seat. heap
straw piled round me. a bag of gun
,owder at my neck. and a madman stand
* over me with a box of lucifer matches
l his hand. firmly impressed with the
rief that he was destined to be my ex
'utioner.
scratch. scratch. scratch
The first match had missed fired, and
oCtOr had taken out the second.
Scratch. scratch. scratch
tkdlu tucEe "dS NO lulduluudlOTg re-
ult
Scratch. scratch, scratch
~COnfound it," exclaimed DR.. Finch an
rily. These matches are damp Very
nnnyinG and inconvenient, isn't il. Mr.
ateSbv''
For genuine, unadulterated impudence
nmmend me to that of a lunatic.
Pardon me. Drs Finch" l said grayely.
The matches are not damp"
Not damp" am sure they are"
Setting aside the question whether
hey are damp or not no lucifer matches
an be expected 10 go of at the present
pooh"
Why mott"
Because they are not yet invented How
an they be invented in the year 1905
All! bless my heart; you're right, Mr.
'atesby," exclaimed DR. Finch, As il a sud
en light had broken in upon him. "YoL
re perfectly right. Now, what's TO bt
nne, or | shall never get your tire lighted
might to say nothing OF that sullen
'rute there
You must use flint. steel and tinder
,Ox"
But where am to get them FROM"
Your housekeeper is an ld-fashioned
erson: dare say she keeps them out OF
Aud lang syne
IN wake her up at once"
With these words the doctor started of
With vigorous strides towards his house
As soon rs he was out OF hearing ! be
an to try and wriggle out OF my bonds
mt had not done much to eXtriCate my
elf. when saw several lights twinkling
n the darkness. and heard the sound OF
ppr0achinG voices
Il say Jones We shall catch il for being
ut al this time Of night" said boyisb
ujCe
oh, no, we shan't," answered another
wish voice. old Roddall will forgive
rything on the 5th OF November"
'Rut what makes you search this oak
-" "shHd 1san. bass voice. which
oupued uurOmmonly ike my UrvtHer-In
avs
Because. Mr. Stubbs, one of your labor
rs told Us this evening at the Three Pig
ons' that he'd met old Finch carrying
III his arms that looked like f.
nan. Hurrsh, here he is. You jolly old /
NY. what a dance you've led US
As he said these words, the Toy paused |
ppOsite my silent companion and fellow
and inspected his dress and |
eatureS by the aid Of candle stuck in /
Ottle, with an interest that was almost /.
ateTnHl.
Here's another guy" exclaimed Charley /.
tubbs, halting in front of me
why, Charley, don't you know mel" ! .
in tone of melancholy re
roach
What, Josh. tied fast. Straw all .
round you for lighting! What in the .
'Orld does mean. Ha, ha, ha, Ho, no, no" .
That unfeeling Charley clapped his .
ands To his sides and went off into con
ulsions Of laughter. At this moment Dr .
inch reappeared on the scene
Charley | cried. for heavens sake
Dme here, Let me whisper word ill
our ear. Seize that fellow Finch; he is
dangerous lunatic Had you not come
ere he would have burned me alive"
My brother-in-law is a powerful fellow,
nd n man of prompt action. Aided by
So of DIR Roddall's biggest pupils, he
and secured Finch, while the
,mainder of the gentlemen united my
Jrds.