Morning journal and courier., 1893-11-28

don and were returning thither, Sir Will
liam had saddled his hunter and started
without an instants delay, save TO arm
himself with Q couple of pistols from the
stand of arms In the hall. When he
reached the head of the avenue, three
quarters of q mile from the house. he
dismounted to open the heavy gates.
Then he perceived, in the dswniug light
of the chill March morning, a strange
dog sitting shivering inside the gates. nm
able either to surmount or pass under
them. He concluded at once that the cur
belonged to his late visitors, and that.
having stayed behind, either for his sup.
per or In search of game, his retreat had
been cut off by the closing of the gates.
He resolved to follow the clue thus given
him, and was confirmed in his resolution
when, the gates being opened, the ami
NAL secured away with his nose to the
ground, In the direction of London.
Away went the nog, and away gslloped
Sir William, keeping an eye upon him al
ways. 1t was broad daylight when the
three reached the outskirts of London,
and Sir William was hailed by a voice he
knew we'll. 1t was that of the major of
his late regiment.
"HulloI Colonel, where are you off to
80 early" hsjor Higgins was on his way
home after nights play at Brooks.
Turn your horses head and III tell
you," returned Sir William through his
sch teeth The idea of communicating mis-
losses aud the indignity he, an old soldier,
had suffered, suficed to make the blood
which his swift ride had kept at fever
heat, boil again.
Major Higgins did as desired; and put
ting his horse to the gallop, received, in as
few words as possible, the news of the
nights occurrences at Lsnhsm Court, and
he and his old colonel made their way side
by side, through Oxford street and the
Strand, never once losing sight of the mon
erel that was, he fsncied, 10 be the clue to
the recovery of his property. Dodging
and winding his way among market carts
and hackney coaches, the dog. never once
relaxing his speed, diverged into by streets
and lanes, until he disappeared up q court
In Leather Lane.
DismountiDg, and giving their horses
In charge to a lad, and having impressed
a wstchmsn into their service, they Ad-
vanced up ths court in single file. Sir
William led the way, 8 cooked pistol in
either hand; Major Higgins, who came
next, was unarmed; the watchmsn brought
up the rear In leisurely way that showed
him by no means thirsting for the fray.
Doorway after doorway was examined,
but the cur seemed literally TO have van
ished. In an angle of the cal de-sac into
which they lad entered Sir William at last
discovered an outside wooden staircase
Despite the Temopstrsnces of bis compsn-
ions. he persisted in creeping cautiously
up the crazy stairs. There, curled up st
door. and apparently fast asleep, lay the
clue who had so faithfully but unconscious
ly guided him to his masters lair.
A summons TO open the door met with
no response. Sir William, to whom anger
aud excitement gave additional energy,
put his knee To the door, bidding Msjor
Higgings "Dack." as he did 60. The door
yielded With q crash; q shot passed over
the lowered heads Of the two officers, and
took effect in the cooked hat of tue watch
man. A short scuifi. and the thieves
saved their lives bE snrrendsring 81 dis
creiion TO Sir Williams pistols. On q
table in their midst was spread out the
whole of the swsg;" not an article was
missing. A presentation sword of Sir
Williams, the hilt of which was thiekly
orusfed with gems, was the only part Of
the booty that had met With Ill usage; but
every diamond, ruby or emerald thai bad
been knocked from its socket still lay on
the worm-esten table, and vas, before
many days were pessed, restored TO Its
customed bed. A few bruises and dents
In the metal-work of the hilt remained,
and these Sir William would show with
great glee In after-dAys, telling how the
good sword was lost and won; while, IS TO
the dents and notches on the blade, gained
in q more legitimate warfare, the good col
onel could soArce ever be got TO speak 9
word