Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-03
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Good heavens. Bah, what's the
matterp You look like ghostr'
told him quickly of my discovery,
and asked If should wake Markham,
who slept at the top OF the house.
No." replied Charley, "let me 60
and reconnoitre. 1 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 alone? There may be several
men hidden In those cellars"
81 expect you saw all there are" he
responded. 'Of course that house
maid knew that Kenrick and were to
plans accordingly.
"How could Jane be so wicked" l
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 one
comfort-she is sure to know about the
ghost so will be afraid to come up the
western staircase; and l have locked
the other door,"
When spoke of the ghost, Charley
cried
"Splendid ideal Have you courage to
help me, Bah? If so, think we shall
contrive to give the gentry a scare, and
so save the plate"
1t took us but a very few minutes to
arrange our plans. l was 10 take my
place on the staircase leading to the
western wing, so that | could glide
backward or forwards as seemed most
desirable. a sheet on Charley's bed
wrapped round my head and shoulders
made, with my dresSing-gown, a SUI
fciently ghostly attire, and my fright
had made nv face white enough for
any visltant from the world of spirits
Charley in the meantime would step
down the servants staircase and recon-
noitre.
But your dress, Charley,"1 said;
"will it take you long to change it?"
Bother the dressl" he answered. Il
can't stop for that. Ii the sight OF me
/ frightens the fellows, so much the bet
ter; 1t may save trouble. do not fancy
they will meddle with me when they
catch sight of me-"
We glided quietly along the corridor
| shutting a 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, L
could open the door at the foot OF the
! staircase 50 as to get the pantry door
4 in view. 1t was shut again now, but
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 man came out
carrying large bundle, which he took
along the passage to the cellar and left
there. He did not shut the door on
his return, ard by bending forward a
little could see the perlidious Jane
and three men all busily engaged.
Presently heard one man ask
Are you sure every one is gone TO
bad. Jenny? It was an awful sell those
! rents coming jack, w3ssn - tsfos.Eiat
they were safely out of the way"
"Oh, yesin 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 few seconds,
and then the same voice said
"I'm uncommon hungry, but L sup
pose the work must be done before sup
per. | hope you have got good feed
for us, Jenny, and lots of tizz.
at will be the worse for Jenny II
she hasn't got lots of fizz, and dry tlzz
too; I'm not going to drink any nasty
sweet stuff" said voice l had not
vet heard. "What have you got
jenny"
"Cold sirloin of beef, turkey and
tongue. Stilton cheese, and mince-
pies the girl answered, in sulky
tone.
"Hurrah!' cried one of the men.
Hold your tongue, you fooll' SAID
the voice that had threatened Jenny.
sDo you want to bring the butler down
on us?''
"There's no fear of Markham" Jen.
nv assured them. 81 mixed a glass ol
groy for HIM at supper.time; shouldn'i
wonder if he oversight himself to-mor-
row morning"
"Trust Jennyl'' one of the men re-
marked.
Just then heard chuctle which
knew was Charley smothering laugh.
The sense of his nearness comforteo
me, and my courage rose to the coca
sion. The thought of how much wa
at stake. that perhaps Amy's life a:
well as my own and Charley's depend
ed on my coolness, gave me strong
control over my feeling, and l fel'
ready for any emergency. Could have
forseen what was coming, think my
courage would have failed.
Oae by one, when packed the bundles
were taken away and deposited In ths
cellar. no doubt the intention was U
remove all the booty at once. 1 could
fell that hitherto the outer door hac
not been opened-had it been blast o.
Geld air would have reached me In m,
hiding-place-so thus far the plate wa
safe. Presently some one said
"That's about all; and jolly maui Il
= is for one nights work.
"Wait bit," broke in a savage volc'
ssNow then, Jenny about them drmond
I amt a going without them"
! NV heart stood still with terror; fol
the diamonds were in Amy'5 dressing
, room. Breathlessly l waited for tn
answer. Jane spoke in a deprecatin!
) voice now,
"Oh, Tom dear, leave them for to
/ night! 1 promise to get them Tor yo'
{ somehow"
"Come, come, my lady, none OF you
3 Iarksl Them di'monds l came for, AM
!, them di'monds III lave if L swing TO
! i'll And Pm not going to leave yo'
here to split on me. So just come aion'
and show me where they be-"
"I'm SO afraid we'll be caught" re
! monstrated Jane. "If you go up stairs
E some one may hear us!'
> Her remonstrances were useless, 10
the man exclaimed furlously-
y "Gammonl You come along, or III
e make you'll" .u,o
i twas in an agony. l knew Charie
. would not let the man get up the star
. without a fight. and thought-wha