The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-04-19


blazed up, and candle was lighted which
shone on strange company.
Kneeling on my chest and binding me
with vigor which i'll assorted with her
assumed character was the "sick count
ess," whom had seen carried on board.
Helping to hold me down was the tall
maid who had walked by her side, while
covering me with the shining barrel of
revolver was the girl who had induced
me to open the doors, a horrid grin on
her face in place of tears.
"There you are, friend Dutton," said
the countess, who was no other than
Red Jem himself. Il think you will do
now for the few minutes we shall require
you. What pity it is tha- your people
have been so smart. You see that nice
new lock compelled us to get you to be
so obliging as to open the door for us.
Look alive with the pigments, Bill, and
get on with your makeup"
was half dazed with the suddenness
of the attack, but my senses were rapid
ly clearing, and I was beginning to ap-
preciate the value of Captain Temples
electric bell Whatever happened to me,
thought, the boxes would be all right
the alarm would ring directly they
were touched.
was soon to be undeceived. | was
held against the wall by the powerful
hands of Red Jem, looking strangely
fantastic in his feminine dress.
The tall maid" who had been adj
dressed as Bill rapidly Invested herself
q he. 30, o1a 1oth
were taken from me, and Bill put them
on, standing revealed at last in his prop
er character of neatly built young man
of about my own height
AS soon as he was dressed III my clothes
he took up an actors paintbox and pro-
ceeded to make sundry alterations in his
face Bit by bit the likeness grew, till
in front of me stood a counterpart Of
myself-a counterpart that my mother
might have mistaken for the original.
Now, Mr. Dutton," said Red Jem,
you see our little game perhaps. My
| friend Bill here will relieve you of your
duties and will see the bonds safely
ashore. Katie will take Bills place as a
much more appropriate maid and will
escort me--the sick Comtesse de Bruno
| back to her cabin while the coast is clear
Neat, isn't it,
Eyes" | said, but what are you go
| ing to do with me"
"Ah, my dear friend, D." he replied, with
horrid grin on his painted face, that
is the sad part of it. You have got to
die, Dutton. I'm sorry, but $4,000, 000
is worth mans life. Bill, where's that
knife? Nobody would be likely to hear
the pistol down here, but it's best to make
sure"
My counterfeit drew glittering dag
ger from the clothes he had removed
and gave it to Red Jem.
There was but one chance for me, and
that was to ring the electric bell. TIC
| shout would be to incur certain death,
and the odds were that in that out of the
way place, amid the rush of water and
the noise of the paddles, no one would
hear my cry.
But how to get free in time!
81 suppose you will give me two min
utes to make my peace? | said
"Oh, yes, if you think it worth while
to prolong the agony said the thief.
"Only be quick about it."
1T may seem odd to you, but | have
scruples about these matters" | said.
Would you object to loosing this strap
round my legs so that can kneel? You
see it is impossible to escape with the
door locked and three of you here"
I'm the best natured fellow in the
world" replied the bloodthirsty scoun-
drel, and he stopped and unbuckled the
strap. There, get to your prayers and
don't be long about it, You can use
your precious bondboxes as a desk, if
you like"
In those last words he sealed his own
fate and that of his companions.
Outwardly calm, but in reality trem-
bling with excitement, | assumed de-
votional attitude in the corner of the
goldroom, resting my elbows on the tol
of the uppermost box With my knees
gently pushed the lower one so as tc
bring strain on the wire.
Once, twice, thrice, pressed it and
then knelt down in prayer, which it is
very certain was not all make believe.
Red Jem and his companions WERE
whispering by the door, and from the
scraps Of conversation that reached me
learned that my body was to bt
thrown overheard
Nov, young man, times up" sale
the principal villain at length, advancing
to where knelt but as he did so knew
that | was saved.
There was hurried rush of many fee
outside, the door was thrown open, anC
Captain Temple, pistol in hand and fol
lowed by half dozen men, burst in.
For moment he was puzzled at thu
likeness between me and the robbie
known as Bill, but he soon grasped tn
situation. Red Jem and his gang will
not trouble the Dover mailboats TO
many day, and | have since heard tina
his wife-tho Katie who so clevcrly i'm
posed upon me i'll the saloon and after
ward held pistol to my head-died il
prison.
After all, it was the captains inven
ton, and not my care of the goldroor
, key which saved the company's property
and what is not of so much importance
1