The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-05

reaching steaIrnlly over h;El from behind.
The first natural impulse under such cir
cumstances, even before the one TO wheel
around. is to throw back the head, in Or
der to look up in the direction whence
the touch appears to have come.
Jasper obeyed this impulse now. AL
most at the same instant his throat was
encircled from behind by what seemed q
band of steel. the Adams apple was
crushed inward with srlnlng force, q rlgd
knee was rammed into the small of his
back, and he at once became uncon-
scious.
In other words, he had been very skill
fully and expeditiously .garroted. ,
But two men were directly concerned
in the foul deed; but. as they silently
lowered the unconscious body of their
victim to the ground, another came run
ming to them from the opposite side OF
the street. The latter was Wormer.
"Quick, Bugw he exclaimed, in low
but excited voice. "Up these steps with
him. and into yonder doorway. 1t Is
oeep one, ana we can there Bearcn nls
person at leisure, without risk of inter-
ference
The men followed his directions, and
the three together then began their
search of their victim with systematic
e1pertness.
pointment. With the exception of few
shillings, Jasper had given all the money
he had had about him to the policeman
standing guard over Rollingstone's re-
mains; and, of course, the object Of
Wormer's special search was not forth
coming, for the very best of reasons.
Its sell-an internal blasted SELL"
muttered Bug, with an oath, as his fellow
garroter and he arose from their fruitless,
or almost fruitless search. 'Look'ee,
Bill. Four bobs and ninepence-not an
other silver! A healthy swag for the
risk we've run, amt it?"
The second rufian echoed the oath
and the disappointment, and stood
scratching his head, with knitted brows.
Say, young fellerl what are you going
10 DO about itr" he growled, turning
grimly upon Wormer.
The latter, having fully satisfied him
self that he had wrought crime to no pur-
pose-that the paper which he sought was
nowhere to be found on the PROSTATE
mans person, had arisen despairingly,
and was now standing in the doorway,
white, and with. great drops starting out
upon his face.
Il don't know what to do, he gasped,
staggering out under the street-lamp
again. IL suppose I've been on false
scent all along. Curse it all! feel all
upset." And he began to move off down
the street.
"Hold on! That won't do. my little
mani" cried Bug, following him. threaten.
ingly, as did also the other ruf6an. You
promised us how We should find enough
swag on that cove to pay rs for our risk,
and We looks to you for to make odd
even.'
HAL that we does, my little swell!'
echoed the other. Blast you, don't try
to walk US into society, or we'll slug you'll
Holds must be made heven, so shell
right out! You've got the needful, it the
throttled chap was without it,"
sWhat do you mean?" said Wormer,
greatly frightened, and now as much in
tent upon reaching a less lonely locality
ss he had before been to svoid it. Come;
let Us hurry on, and talk it over as We
mot another STEP" growled Bug sud-
denly hustling him into the mouth OF
gloomy court that they chanced to be
passing, while Bill" as he had been
designated, gripped him by the collar.
Come; you're in with US for that last
lob, so you daren't holler. Fork over!"
We have seen before this that Wormer's
oowardice was in keeping with his vii
lainy.
Heavens! you wouldn't rob meme,
your hirer?" he exclaimed, in an agony OF
fear. Stand off! DO you forget the ten
pounds you've already had of me, Bug2
OF, l say! What! you think me afraid
to make an outcry? You think"
A brutal laugh cut him short, and then
two heavy blows, given in swift success
sion, felled him.
1t thus happened that the robber was
robbed, and almost within stones
throw of the doorway in which he had
ruthlessly left the insensible form of his
own victim but few minutes before.
Wormer had also been rendered sense
less. He came to himself at about day.
light, and, rising with difficulty, stag
pered out Of the court in which he had
beer left lying, stiff -jointed, bruised, with
his clothing stained and torn, and to find
himself completely despoiled OF every
remaining shilling of the hundred
pounds he had received of the banker,
and also of his gold watch and chain,
his shirt-studs, his cuff f-buttons, and
every other article of value that he had
possessed. -,
Nemesis had been signally exact and
impartial in settling with him, and his
DESPAIR and modification can be imag-
ined.
Nothing left" he grosned, surveying
his plight most dismally. Not shilling
not a penny! Why, it's a wonder the
hounds even left me the clothes on my
as oaFsa nos sIone an oatcry
time. No; and dare not do So now-I
dare not even lodge complaint against
them!"
Then he dolefully dragged himself away,
trying, finally, to bring to mind some
London acquaintance from whom he
could borrow the price of return ticket
to Highcombe,
The restoration Of Jasper to his senses
was attended by circumstances much
more agreeable, and scarcely less aston
ishing.
The garrcter had not done his work
bunglingly, but with neatness and dis
patch; and the insensibility into which,
the victim had, in this instance, been
thrown was profound, but not dangerous.
It was likewise soon after daylight
when Jasper gradually experienced re-
turn to consciousness. His first sensa-
ton was that of some one opening his
shirt-collar, and otherwise ministering
gently to him; and then he felt soft
hand applying water to his forehead.
He opened his eyes and sat up, to find
himself in large doorway or vestibule,
with his wants being attended to by Q
young woman, evidently servant, who
1 E L.. hax,da