The Penn's Grove record., 1886-01-30

Good heavens, Bah, what's the
matter? You look like Il ghost"
l told him quickly of my discovery,
and asked if l should wake Markham,
who slept at the top of the house.
mo" replied Charley, ''let me go
and reconnoitre' l shall soon see
whether it is necessary to call the men
The fewer people about, the less fear
there will be of disturbing Amy"
"But,"I demonstrated ''what can
you do alone2 There may be several
men hidden in those cellars"
II expect you saw all there are" he
responded. "Of course that house
maid knew that Kenrick and | were to
be away tonight and arranged her
plans accordingly"
"How could Jane be so wicked" |
cried, ''and Amy so kind to her and
the other servants? l noticed how she
stared at Amy on Christmas Eve; no
doubt she was wondering how she could
get hold of her diamonds. There's n
comfort-she is sure to know about the
ghost so will be afraid to come up the
western staircase; and | have locked
the other door,"
When l spoke of the ghost, Charley
cried
splendid ideal Have you courage to
help me, Bah? If SO, l think we shall
contrive to give the gentry a scare, and
SO save the plate"
1t took US but q very few minutes to
arrange our plans. l was to take my
place on the staircase leading to the
western wing, so that [ could glide
backward or forwards as seemed most
desirable. A sheet or Charley's bed
wrapped round my head and shoulders
made, with my dressing-gown, a sur-
hciently ghostly attire, and my fright
had made my face white enough for
any visltant from the world of spirits
Charley in the meantime would step
down the servants staircase and o
noitre.
"But your dress, Charley" said;
twill it take you long to change itp"
t'Bother the dressl" he answered. I
can't stop for that. If the sight of me
frightens the fellows, 50 much the bet
ter; 1t may save trouhle. do not fancy
they will NEEDLE with me when they
catch sight of me-"
We glided quietly along the corridor
shutting d door behind US which separ-
ated Amy's bedroom, dressing-rOom,
and boudoir from the rest Of the house.
! settled myself at an angle of the stairs
where by bending forward a little, |
could open the door at the foot Of the
staircase so as to get the pantry door
in view. 1t was shut again now, but l
could hear the chink of silver as well
as the mems voices. Before l had
been long at my post, the door was
opened again, and a nan came out
carrying a large bundle, which he took
along the passage to the cellar and left
there. He did not shut the door on
his return, and by bending forward u
little I could see the %perGdious Jane
and three men all busily engaged.
Presently l heard one man ask
Are you sure every one is gone to
bed, Jenny2 1t was an awful sell those
gents coming back, when we thought
they were safely out of the way"
"Oh, yesi" replied Jane. The mas
ter and Mr.. Fortescue went straight
up stairs, and then Miss Fortescue went
to bed"
Then another mans voice said
81 watched the coachman away, so
all's right outside"
There was silence for a few seconds,
and then the same voice said
"I'm uncommon hungry, but 1 sup
pose the work must be done before sup
per. hope you have got a good feed
for us, Jenny, and lots of fzz."
SIT will be the worse for Jenny if
she hasn't got lots Of lizz, and dry fizz
too; Pm not going to drink any nasty
sweet stuff" said a voice l had not
yet heard. "What have you got
JENNY"
Gold sirloin of beef, turkey and
tongue, Stilton cheese, and mince-
pies. " the girl answered, in a sulky
tone.
"Hurrahl" cried one of the men
"Hold your tongue, you fool" said
the voice that had threatened Jenny.
"Do you want to bring the butler down
on usP"
"There's no fear of Markham" Jen-
ny assured them. 81 mixed a glass of
grog for HIM at supper. time [ shouldn't
wonder if he oversight himself to'mor-
row morning"
"Trust Jenny!' II of the men re-
marked.
Just then l heard q chuckle which l
knew was Charley smOthering a laugh.
The sense of his nearneSs comtOrted
me, and my courage rose to the Ucca-
sion. The thought of how much was
at stake, that perhaps Amy's life as
well as my own and Charley's depend
ed on my GOODNESS, gave me a strong
control over my feeling. and | felt
ready for any emergency. Could L have
forseen what wa coming, | think my
courage would have failed.
Ole by one, when packed, the bundles
were taken away and deposited in the
cellar, no doubt the intention was to
remove all the booty at once. l could
tell that hitherto the outer door had
not been opened-had it been a blast of
Geld air would have reached me in my
hiding-place-so thus far the plate was
safe. Presently some n said
That's about all; and a jolly haul 1t
is for one nights work"
"Nait a bit" broke in a savage voice
"Now then, Jenny, about them di'monds
l amt a gong without them"
My heart stood still with terror; for
lu6 dtdLlOlIuo mGiS III EAulg . NiSooii5
room. Breathlessly l waited for the
answer. Jane spoke in a deprecating
voice now,
"Oh, Tom dear, leave them for to-
night 1 promise to get them for you
somehow"
"Come, come, my lady, zone of your
larksl Them di'monds | came for, and
them di'monds I'll have if | swing for
it'll And Pm not going TO leave you
here to split on me. So just come along
and show me where they be-"
"I'm so afraid Wen be caught" re-
monstrated Jane. ''If you go up stairs,
some one may hear usl'
Her remonstrances were useless, for
the man exclaimed furlously-
"GammOnl You come along, or I'll
make youln
was in an agony. l knew Charley
would not let the man get up the stairs
without a fight. and l thought-What
should l do If he were killed or even
hurt?
"Very well" Jane agreed, then added
tsRut sunnOSe Won have lust a drOD of