Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-05-05

"Have you no friend among the po-
lce that you can trust?"
The boy whistled softly.
"Lor', Miss Nettie, we uns an the
police amt too friendly; but there's old
Pat Mahoney, he's prime chap. !
guess he'll do"
"Very well; if you discover anything
you can go to him at once and ask his
help. Now I'll tell you what you are
to do yourself"
Whatever the purport of their con-
versation was, in short time there
called upon the servants OF the
Countess household the queerest old
peddler imaginable, with a basket of
the loveliest odds and ends, and dirt
cheap, too.
"My purse is up stairs" said the
cook, "Iu go and get it, /" and she
ran away, followed by the two
housemaids, leaving the old peddler
quite alone in the kitchen.
No sooner were they gone than he
quickly slipped the key of the back
door in his pocket and gazed around
him, keenly sizing the room and noting
its doors A further peep in the hall
and he seemed to be satisfied.
He soon left the delighted servants
who never missed the key until night
fall, then they resolved to not tell my
lady, but to put q chair against the
door, thieves we're not plenty in their
avenue.
Thus it was, about o'clock the back
door softly opened and the dirty face
of Tom peered in.
"It's all right" he whispered to q
companion, "coast clear; my lady's at
party and her rooms be all empty I
dare say"
He was followed by a policeman
whose Jolly, Irish face was just now
serious and anxious. as he stepped
softly across the kitchen floor after the
light, noisless feet of the boy.
They reached my lady's chamber,
and then such search as began. My
lady's fnery was tumbled here and
there. At last Tom gave low whistle
and held up to view beautiful dirk
with cleaning jeweled handle.
"The very instrument as killed the
old chap, 7 bet nickel, he whispered.
The policeman shook his head; "that
Amt nc proof-Ah what is this?"
1t proved to be letter, portion of
a letter. rather, evidently written by
my lady herself. It ran as follows:
Have everything in readiness, there must be
no hitch. understand from G. that the
old gentleman drew from the bank large sum
to-day. To-night's the time
That was all, but Pats Irish eyes
glowed.
"A clue al last. Hurrah. me boy
we're on tie right track sure enough.
Hist! who's that?"
They only had time to secrete them
selves in my lady's big closet when the
door opened and my lady and her
uncle entered the room.
"Close the door, Aleck; how .stupid
you are, and I'm so tired. Bah! what
/ wretch of party that was"
you're not in the best of spiriss,
ma chere," laughed the man sneer-
ngly; mo wonder, with your lover in
all"
Hush Bah! How hate him, the
dot! He told me lies about the money
hidden. Ugh!"
at was bad go all around. Yet if
he fellow gets off clear he'll be rich
enough to suit even you, ma chere."
"Hush! How can you? Bah! II
want none of him."
"We're about out of funds; we'd bet
er look around for some haul"
"But no more, no MORE" whispered
he Countess; "it is too, too dangerous"
Then, greatly to the relief of Tom
md Pat they went down to the parlor,
md the two half-smothered prisoners
'rept out and escaped.
The next morning the whole town
vas more than astonished to hear that
he beautiful Countess and her uncle
lad been arrested for the murder of
Id Frederick Franklin, and no one was
more surprised than poor George, q
prisoner himself.
1t was great case, and splendid |
alent took hold of it and brought out |
he fact that the Countess was ONLY q |
Kicked adventures, and that her pre-
ended uncle was her husband, an es-
aped criminal himself. They received |
lifetime sentence. for their guilt was
learly proven. and Tom stood on his
cad full minute when he heard the
erdict
OF course George turned gratefully
, his old love, who had saved him, and
be. woman-like. forgaye him and be.