Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-25

thas locked up Miss Lillian Arlington in
that tunnel.
"Good evening. This is Mrs. Burleigh,
is it not? l have inquired at several
places"
THAT is my name."
leighton is my name. have come to
tell you that Miss Lillian Arlington sent
me here to tell you that she will not be
here tonight
"Where is she," inquired Mrs. Bur-
leigh"
''She is safe, 1 Can assure you."
but must know, she is in my Gre
and -"
} swell, she came to Chesney on her
evening walk, and finding some of her
friends at the party sho concluded to stay
if would come to let you know. So 1
bring the news"
"Come in, Mr.. Leighton" said Mrs.
Burleigh.
: He Thought there was nothing wron 2
way to pass away the time till the dead of
the night.
excuse ME a moment" said Mrs.
Burleigh as she went to tell Mfss Lillian
Of course she knew this message was utter
ly false and thought there was something
q 1ite strange, and was bent on finding out
what it was.
'Keep him bv all means till go and get
policeman. You must keep him In con-
versation till he comes,' SAID Miss Lillian,
and started out in search of a policeman.
She soon found a policeman, and after
relating to him her strange story, he was
very much surprised, and told her to go
back and he would have detective there
at once.
She hastened back and told Mrs. Bur-
leigh to be on the lookout for detective
He came in after a short while. and was
had hidden.
"You are detective, are you?"
"Yes," he replied.
| "Well, have important work for you
that must be attended to at once"
swell, Miss, am at your SERVICE" said
the detective. "Pease give me the par
ticulars at once and then 1 will proceed
| Then Miss Lillian related Ter strange
story to the eager listiner.
''He is now in the room with Mrs. Bur-
leigh. told her to keep him if she could
until l saw you. He came here with an
excuse that l was at party at Chesney
| Hall and would not be home tonight"
81 must get look at him frst.''
sit you just go over to those lace cur
tains yonder you can peep round and see
him."
Mr.. Leighton was sitting in such a
position that the detective got full view
of the rascal.
He came back in moment and then got
her wrapper and put it on for disguise.
"Tbat is bad man. I must have the
wrapper that you wore here for disguise.
Go and take it off and bring it to me at
once so | can begin the work."
He got the dress on and waited till Mr..
Leighton left for hcme, which was soon
afterwards. And with lantern in hand he
started on the journey through the mys-
terious tunnel. Wondering what such a
thing was for.
"Mrs. Burleigh, whatever you do, don't
mention this,' the detective said as he
started.
He stepped inside Of the closet, locked
The door, then to the next door and locked |
that also. He soon found that he was in a
strange looking tunnel. He walked on |
and when he got to the middle door he |
began to feel surprised that he had gotten
to the end so soon, but remembered that he |
had not gone two miles and the passage |
must be two miles long to reach to Chesney !
Hall. He opened the door which was not |
fastened, and saw that he had not gotten to |
the end. Now the detective looked very
much like Miss Lillian in the dress she |
wore. 1t was arranged to deceive Mr.. |
Leighton, and no doubt it would, too. He |
soon got to the end of the passage, he |
knew it now for he had come two miles at
least and the door was locked. Luckily he
got there before Mr.. Leighton did and sat
down planning cut how to capture the
rascal. Taking out his watch, he saw it |
was twelve O'Clock, and Mr.. Leighton had |
promised to be there at that time. Now
fIrnn mos oliy orHfd or haI
detective had nerves like steel and was an
experienced officer, who had taken similar
responsibilities upon himself before He
began to feel little bad when he heard
noise outside, for his work was now to
begin. H. had only to wait little longer
when footsteps approaching the house on
pavements were heard, and there was only
one man, too. He must have been afraid
to bring the clergyman for fear of being
caught. Soon the bolt of the front door
turned and Mr. Leighton was heard COM
ing toward the closet, but he had no light;
for some reason be did not light the chan
delier. The detective lighted his little
lantern when he came in the passage, but |
now he had turned it out by slide. The
closet door soon opened and 10 the de-
tective's great relief everything was dark.
Mr.. Leighton said when he opened the
But no voice responded to his CALL
Silence followed, and the man was chilled.
Had she died in there, or had she escaped?
In the meantime the detective, for fear of
perhaps being locked iD, slipped out and
stood just outside the closet door ready to
put his hands on Mr.. Leighton if necessary.
8 "Miss Lillian, are you here?" he called
again.
There came faint voice near him, "Are
you ready to let me oui?"
E"No, but come here. l must have talk
with you first"
The detective advanced.
"Here | am, what do you wani?''
NJ. Lsighton started to pui his hands
on him, but he stepped back and said,
s-Stand off, man. What are you up to
uow?"
Mss Lillian, l want an answer to my
question. waut to know if you are will
ing to accept me for husband. If you are,
ycu shall have all possess, and you shall
want nothing that you shall not have.
Please answer nie aud settle this difficulty !"
"Ah. love affair."" thought the detec
tive. 81 positively refuse" said he aloud.
"Whas do you mean?' he said in harsh
voice
81 mean just what say.''
"We will Just see about that matter in q
few minutes. L Will compel you either to
be my wife or take the consequences" said
Mr.. Leighton.
81 will take the consequences" said the
detective, and at the same moment the room
was brightly lighted by the detectives Ian
tern. At the next moment Mr.. Leighton
pulled revolver. but was soon dropped by
the detective. ''Do you know who you are
foolipg with?'
"You are very brave, Miss Lillian"
"Miss Lillian ia not here but Benson |
Ferret, suppose you have heard of The de-
tective, who has come to arrest you for i'm
prisoning Miss Lillian Arlington, and also
for threats. You may as well give up for
have you at my mercy" he said as he took !
off the dress he wore.
Mr.. Leighton stood aghast, SO scared he
could not move
The detective quickly hand-cuffed his
mau. Quicker than it takes to tell it, the
bright s.eel glittered OH his wrists And in
short time he had him confined in jail at |