The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-10

..'('Jp~~eS- . S.ssSS.,s."AS
MATT POINTED TO THE COTTAGE WHERE
SHE LIVED.
wreckers, like William Jones, and they
used to get what come ashore, and
they used to hide it in the sand hills"
Indeed. Then, if that is the case,
why don't they take the treasure up,
and turn it into money!"
why? Cause them sand hills is
allns changing and shifting about,
they are; though they know well
enough the things is there, there's no
indin' of en-
Il always thought William Jones was
poor?"
so he is, he says.' replied Matt,
cause though he be allus foraging, he
don't find much now on account O. them
coast-guard chaps
After they had rested themselves.
they went little further up the cliff,
then they followed narrow winding
path which brought them to the shore
below. Here Matt, who seemed to be
pretty well grounded in the history of
the place. pointed him out the wonders
of the coast. She showed him the
caves. which tradition said had been
formerly used us wreckcrs' haunts and
treasure stores, but which were now
washed by the sea, and covered with
Shiny weeds; then she brought him to
promontory where they told her she
herself had been found. This spot
Brinlllcy examined curiously, then he
looked ut the girl.
IL suppose you had clothes on when
you came ashore, didn't you, Matt?"
why of course had William Jones
has got 'em!''
Has he? Whcre?"
'In his cave, | expect"
Ills cave. Where is thut?" asked
Brinllley, becoming very much inter
ested.
Dunno" returned Matt; perhaps
| it's somewhere here about. I've seen
William Jones come about here,
have, but | never could track him"
Matts information on the subject
was SO vague that it seemed useless to
institute a search; so. after regretful
look at the rocks, BIinlllcy proposed
that they should sauntcr back along
the shore.
by the way" said he, 81 want you
to introduce me TO William Jones'"
Ito William Joncs?"
Yes. Strange as the fancy may
seem to you, | should like for once in
my life to stand face to face with
real live wrecker."
They made their way back along the
coast until they reached William Jones'
cottage. Here they paused, principal
ly for Brinkley to take a glance at the
quaint dwelling, then they crossed the
threshold. What sort of a place he
had got into it was utterly impossible
for l'rinklcy to tell; it was SO dark he
could sec nothing. Having crossed the
Threshold therefore, he paused but
Matt went fearlcssly forward struck n
light and ignitcd a rushight on the
table.
william Jones'" said She, here he
the paintcr.'
BY the light of the Pickering rush
light Brink ely now looked about him
At glance he noted some of the dc .
tails of the queer little room; then his
csc fell upon the occupants, whom.
from MATHS description. he recognized
as William Jones and the grizzly au-
thor of his being.
The old man. who. Brinklcy pcrforce
admitted. certainly bore SOME rescm-
blance to the Rcmbrandtish head
which Matt had recognized sat doing
fitfully by the hearth, while his son
was busily employed in mending an old
lantern.
Upon the entrance of Brnillcy the
lantern was quickly thrown aside, and
William Jones assuming Il most OBJ
scquious manner, FASTENED To give
welcome to the stranger Brinklcy
was amused. He accepted William
Jones offer of scat, then he lit up
his bricr-rOot pipe, and. while smoking
lazily, he put a few questions to his
host. But if he expected to gain in
formation OF any kind he was soon un-
deceived William Jones was no fool.
Combined with excessive avarice, he
possessed all the cunning OF the fox,
and the moment he saw that the
stranger was pump ng him he was on
his guard.
Presently, however, his curiosity
gained the day. Categorically, in his
turn, he began to question Brinlllcy
about his doings.
Il suppose now, master" said he.
you travel about 81 deal III that cart
o. yourn?"
Brinklcy explained that the cart"
in question had been in his possession
only Il few months.
But travelled Il good deal before |
got il" he explained This time last
year was in Ireland"
lin ireland. mastcr?"
YES, on the west coast; do You know
it?"
William Jones shook his head.