Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-04-11
LONE HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of the PtnrOys.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF Love and Adventure.
Hr JANIS 81. MERRILL AUTHOR or "BoGU
BILL" FISHER JOE AND
OTHER STORIES
tcePyvi0Ak 1859, by the A. " KsliOgg Nsaps.
paper Company
CHAPTER XVI.
THE sTABTLRD HRIRESs.


AS may be supposed, the inmates Of the
room were not little startled at this unex-
pected summons from without.
"What shall we dor whispered Went.
word
AYE! there's the rub" uttered Fingal,
in a dramatic voice.
WIN you open or must | force the doori"
demanded the voice from without
Neither one, l hope,n returned Fingal.
Pray, who are you, and what do you want
with peaceable citizens!"
Il have a warrant for every one of you y
There must be some mistake. F" asserted
Weutword
Hist exclaimed Don Benito, his deep
set eyes cleaning like Goals of fire. II have
been expecting this all along. Our plans
are discovered, and the Doge has sent his
minions TO murder us We must give them
a warm reception, and at this the old man
drew small revolver from his pocket and
drew the hammer, while his glittering eyes
were fixed ominously on the door.
This movement on the part Of the de
mented old man promised trouble Went
word and Fingal believed that mistake
had been made, and So while the
young hunter laid his hand on the arm Of
Don Benito, Austin Wentword stepped 10
the door and said:
I'VE are peaceable citizens and can con
ceive of no good reason why we should be
molested by the law. l hope you will not
insist ON disturbing us"
II do insist answered the man outside.
'.lf what you say IS true You will not fear
investigation.
Certainly not
WentwOrd turned TO Flngal, who had
succeeded in dsarmng Don Benito, as
the old man was pleased TO term himself
Fingal said
"Open the door. we have nothing to
fear
Wentword obeyed, revealing two men
outside in the uniform Of the city police.
Both advanced into the room with blus-
tering air
You are prisoners" declared the fore
most map, sterny.
"Ha. doth the Doge dare insult his
friends thus. We VIII not give up the
precious documents we have risked so
much TO gain, cried Don Benito, tiercely.
Then, ere those present could cOmprehend
his intentions, he bent low ard darted
swiftly at the officer in the doorway. His
head struck the fellow in the pit OF the
stomach and doubled him up like jack.
knife.
A cry OF pain followed
When the painting bluecoat regsined his
feet, only two men stood in the room, while
the clang OF the outer door at the foot of the
stairs announced the fact that Don Benito
had made his escape from the building.
After him - gasped the painting officer.
mo use. said Fingal, "the old chap is
beyond your reach. Neither my friend
nor myself will attempt to run, but we de.
mand to know why we have thus been
molested
"Search them, Markus.'
Our two friends submitted 10 a search
under protest. Nothing was found Of a
suspicious nature. After this the two OFF:
GERS went through the room with no better
success.
''Confound it,there must be mistake
after all, mattered the man who seemed
TO be in authority.
what did you expect 70 tindf questioned
Austin.
Chambers tools
"You suspected this 10 be a den Of that
sort.''
Yes"
Fingal and his companion laughed.
Mr.. Wentword and myself are respect
able persons, as we can prove You have
made a grand mistake
Then the policeman began Offering al
apology. Wentword assured him it was not
necessary
Pm sore from that old fellows head.
Who was hef' growled the police spokes
man, with a grimace.
Don Benito.'
" A half-crazed fellow" explained Fingal.
II met him a few days since, He seems to
be harmless, usually. l suppose he mag
ined you were about TO imprison him. He
seems to have dread OF such a fate, think
likely he has escaped from some asylum
.'TheH he ought to be looked after"
Perhaps; although | regard HIM as a
harmless lunatic."
9 don't then, asserted the officer, still
grimacmg, "Tll lock him upf ! can lay
hands on him
Again Offering apologies the officers with
drew.
Z" Now whatf queried wentword. Fngal
closed the door, turned the key once more
and then sat down.
THAT was an unlucky interruption,
Austin
1T would be foolish to deny il. admit
ted the young mechanic
lam convinced that Don Benito is no
ordinary person. His hatred OF Captain
Starbright convinces me that the Captain
has injured the old man at some date in the
past
= 1t may be So
Where could he have obtained thar will!
am puzzled about that
= Do you imagine that il was genuine.
lam not prepared TO say. But for that
interruption | should have soon learned
more about it"
perhaps we can lind the old man IN thu
morning
Yes, that will be easy enough, provid
ing he doesn't fall into the clutches OF the
law" answered Fingal. " | must see that
will. aud you must see Grace. II will never
do for you TO permit the willy Captain 70
poison her mind against you. l happen 10
know that you still have a fast hold upon her
heart
II wish | had such assurance, said
Wentword modify Money is bar to
my success. She is an heiress, while am
but poor mechanic.
Nonsense. I've no patience with you,
Austin Wentword, uttered Fingal, shortly
. Faint heart never won wife. Go in 70
win aud thwart this Captain Starbright.
tell YOU the battle is 10 the vigilsnt and
brave. Would you see Grace fall victim
TO wicked fortune-hunter:
Never"
Then visit her at once. Be = msn and
stumble at nothing I will help you 70 win
"Yo1i"
Certainly
The young hunters small, brown hand
went out, and there in the dim light the two
clasped palms in token Of mutual regard
Captain Clinton Starbnght has planned
to win the yRndible millions, aud he has
planned well, stopping at nothing, not even
human life. TO gain a point. He has made
one mismoye, however, aud if you will
work with me believe we shall thwart the
scoundrel in the end
The speakers face was aglow with feel
ing, and Austin Wentword was glad indeed
10 have such brave youth FOR his friend
On their first meeting he had saved him
from staining his hands with blood surely.
such friend was worth the possessing.
Il am with you, Louis Fingal, TO the bit
ter end in this battle for the right"
Thus was the alliance called
1t was evening. The.windanoa through
the trees aud sighed mournfuuy about the
walls OF Lone Hollow.
Nearly month had passed since the
ba