The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-05-25
CHAPTER XII.

camstances under which he had left the
slouSe.
I'VE will find him, pardner," said the
Judge, in his slow, sententous manner,
which was queerly at variance with his
speed iii hurrying into his clothes. We
viii find him, and see If his presentiments
viii 20 so Ear as fur to explain what's be-
come Of the diamond. Let up what has
3appened, pardner. Reel it of. l am all
awake."
narrated briefly the events of the night
while he completed dressing, Lola, stand
ing by the window, listened In silence.
There was Just enough light to reveal the
mischievous eXultation that sparkled in her
eyes.
Here's Vigilance Committee Job, if ever
there was one, said the Judge, hastily lac
sng his boot. L amt lighted on anything
80 much like Californey since the good old
days, Now, sir, if you air ready. Wen hunt
un Israel. the prophet. He's got to tell us
sumthin more about this than we know
On"
1t was striking five when we quilted the
house. The Judge left me to look about
she garden and its vicinity for Van Hoeck;
ne himself struck out at once for the wood,
taking Lola with him. The girl would have
stayed with me, but her father had her hand
IN his, and there was no getting away from
that grip,
After exploring the garden | took the path
that led to the lodge, as being one that Van
Hoeck frequently walked in when alone.
1he lodEe-keeper was not up, but, passing
Through the open wicket into the road,
came upon a laborer trudging along to his
work with q pick upon his shoulder and a
tin flask IN his hand.
1t then was half past five, or perhaps a
titttc later.
dave you passed blind gentleman on
the road2" / asked.
Il amt passed i'm" he answered; but as
/ come by the crossroads [ see sofne 'un
as looked en'lman-like. kind 'er fumbEng
his way along the road down by Harley bot
tom"
knew The crossroads; they were nearly
TWO miles distant. 1t was incOmprehensi-
ole to me how Van Hoeck had strayed so
Far from the Abbey; but the laborer's de-
scription left little room for doubt that it
was Van Hoeck he had seen. and l started
at once in the direction indicated.
l could not see Van Hoeck from the cross
roads, but on turning the angle of the lane
at the foot of the hill [ perceived him feel
sng the way with painful slowness, and on
Ehe side of the hedgerow, a hundred yards
IN advance. Hearing my step he turned,
ard, recognizing it, came o meet me. He
seemed to forget the danger of making a
false step, and advanced with eager quick
ncss-his whole body partaking the express
sion OF anxiety imprinted on his features.
Is it you, Thorne?" he called.
Yes. | replied.
What has happened2"
| waited until got ap TO him, then put
ting my hand on his shoulder. said:
L have bad news for you. Van Hoeck."
lie tremhled violently under my hand.
and opened his lips to speak. but no sound
Games his condition was pitiable, and to
keep him no longer in suspense, 1 said
j have lost it. 1t has been taken from
me-"
Who has taken it?" he asked, in thick
husky voice.
1 cannot say. could not see the man
who robbed me-
He was silent for a time. and then his
feelings found expression, at first in eNccra-
ton then in incohcrent sentences, broken
up with words of Dutch where the English
tongue failed to give sufficient force to his
anger and modification. He assailed me
with every kind of inyective, accused me OF
cowardice or completely IN robbing him. OF
| know not what baSeness and heartless-
ness-indeed it seemed as though the
blow had deprived him of reason for mo-
mont At length, when his passion was
somewhat exhausted, he said:
Aud what is your defense?
I took his arm. and as ! led him up the
hill toward the crossroads. l went over the
story once more. When was telling how
Lola had come to my rescue, he stopped
me.
That is "a liel" he said; for she has been
with me-"
"ImpossibleI" exclaimed.
Impossible, according to your story but
II is tho truth for all that. / got off the path.
and could not find my way back. She led
me to a road-God knows where!-and left
me,
~Whcn?"
How can tell? The night has been an
age,"
Granting she led you for an hour-and
You would scarcely suffer her to lead YOU
Ionger-that would allow her to return to
the Abbey, and come to my rescue at the
time | speak Of.
Have il as you will; it makes no differ
cnce now. She got me out of the way and
that was her object in being there. Go on.
! came 10 tho end OF my narrative, and
then suggested that the theft might be
traced to one of the servants.
Anything TO shield Brace, he said, bit
ierlyi and then, stamping his foot, he added
You know he took it"
Il was useless reasoning with him II his
present condition.
You stand convicted by your own state.
mcut," he continued; what ordinary THE
would be fool enough. having obtained the
diamond, to wait there. risking discovery
and leopardize his own life--for the sake o.
hutchering your If Brace was the thief
such thing is possible: for he must xii
both you and me to profit by the posses
sion of the diamond. Where is he now"
With Lola, in the woods, looking foi
you"
What? already" he exclaimed. in alarm
He Is losing no time. Where are the
woods?"
We are in them now replied, for we
had passed the crossroads.
He stopped short. Shaking of my hand
he muttered, in a tone of dread:
Are YOU three hunting together?"
BE reasonable. Van Hoeck," ] said.
Il am he replied; leave me here
| made no reply; and we stood there
IN the middle of the road. he quaking with
Tear and turning his heat from side to side
10 catch the sound that might confirm hi.
fears. He looked like a hunted beas.
mat knows not which way to escape T.,
What's that?" he asked, under his breath
quickly. There's some one on the road. It.
ms step. If you have any mercy, save mt
from him"
While | was turning TO look up the road
u see if his fears We're justified, he -rope,
about until he caught hold of my arm
had heard no sound, but his finer sens,
was not at fault. On the brow OF the hill
which we were now decentralization III,
eaunt figure of Brace. The light of the ris
ing sun shone upon him, but we stood in tn,
shadow OF the wood, where the mist still
hung over the sodden earth.
do not hear him; whore is he now?
Van Hoeek whispered.
He Is standing on the hill. a couple o
hundred yards behindus. He does not SCI
as.
IF We could but get to tire Abbey! Forge
what SAID, Thorne. Have pity on me. h,
What do you want me to do?-
Lead me back to the Abbey. III escap,
rom that man now, may protect myse
after"
| saw no possible reason forrefusin-com
naance with this request. and, taking hi.
arm. led him along that side Of the roas
where the shade was deeper. But, befor,
we had gone dozen yards. shrjH whooi
rang through the echoing woods 10 olI
right, and Van Hoeck again stopped.
looked in vain over the brake for Lola
whose cry | recognized: but, glancin.- III
lie road, perceived that the Judge hat
heard the signal, and was coming after us
II the same moment Van Hoeck. startins
forward. cried:
Quick. quick-he sees us-he is coming
Gown upon us!7 And then. after snotheI
aozen yards, DO you want hi-a to over.
take us that you stick to this cursed road .
am looking for path; we can mo-
push through the brake, l replied
Gianclng over my shoulder l saw the
Judge. his shoulders lent forward, his
5rms swinging from side TO side, bearing
down upon US with long strides. and rap
idly diminishing TIE distance between Us