The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-12-16

nsdSy SdttS 1HtH Z pcTSciNcu thc
dawniug light of the chill March morn
ing a strange dog sitting shiverihg in
side the gates, unable either to Sur
mount or pass Under them. He con-
cluded at ono that the cur belonged to
his late visitors, and that, having staid
behind, either for his supper or in
search of game. his retreat lad been
cut off by the closing of the gates He
resolved to follow the clew thus given
him, and was confirmed in his resolu-
ton when, the gates being opened,
the animal secured AWAY with his nose
TO the ground in the direction of Lon
don. Away went the dog. and away
galloped Sir William, keeping an eye
upon him always. 1t was broad day
light when the three reached the out
skirts of London, and Sir William was
haifcd by nvbice he knew we'll. 1t was
that of the major of his late regiment.
'.Hullo. colonel, where are you off
TO so carly?" Maj. Higgins was on his
way home after a nights play at
Brooks.
Turn your horses head and I'll tell
YOU. ICu Ei hlilldui lhloush hio
set teeth. The idca of communicating
his losses and the indignity he, IN old
soldier, had suffered sufficed TO make
the blood, which his swift ride had
kept at fever heat. boil again.
Maj. Higgins did as desired, and,
putting his horse to the galiop, received
in as few words as possible the news OF
the nights occurrence at Lehman
court as he and his old colonel made
their way side by side through Oxford
street and the Strand, never once los
ing sight of the mongrel that was, he
fancied to be. the clew to the recovery
of his property. Dodging and winding
his way through market carts and
hackney coaches the dog, never once
relaxing his speed, discrged into by.
streets and lanes until he disappeared
up a court in Leather lane.
Dismounting and giving their horses
in charge to a lad, and having i'm
pressed a Waterman into their service.
they advanced up the court in single
file. Sir William led the way, 4 cooked
pistol in either hand; Maj Higgins,
who came next, was unarmcd; the
Waterman brought up the rear in a
leisurely way hat showed him by no
means thirsting for the fray. Door
way after doorway was examined, but
the cur seemed literally to have AN
ished. In an angle of the cul-de-sae
into which they had entered Sir Will
liam at last discovered an outside
wooden staircase. Despite the rcmon-
~stranccs of his companions, ne per-
sisted in creeping cautiously up the
crazy stairs. There, curled up at 4
door. and apparently fast asleep, lay
the clcw who had So faithfully but I'M
consciously guided him to his masters
lair.
A to open the door met
with no response. Sir William, to
whom anger and excitement gave adj
ditional energy, put his knee to the
door, bidding Maj. Higgins duck as
he did ~. The door yielded with a
crash; a shot passed over the lowered
heads of the two officers and took
effect in the cooked hat of the watch
man. A short %scuflle, and the thieves
saved their lives by surrendering at
NlSCItilOu W tII liiidll : plSlpl. VII
table in their midst was spread out the
whole of their "swag;" not an article
was missing. A presentation sword of
Sir Williams, the hilt of which was
thickly crustcd with gems, was the
only part OF the booty that had met
with i'll usage; but every diamond,
ruby or emerald that had been knocked
from its socket still lay on the worm
eaten table, and WAS, before many
days were past. restored to its accus-
toned bed. 4 few bruises and dents
in the metal work of the hilt remained
and these Sir William would show
with great glec in after days. telling
how the good sword was lost and won,
while as to the dents and notchcs on
the blade. gained in 4 more Legitimate
warfare, the good colonel Guild scarce
ly ever be got to speak 4 word.-Cham
bers' journal.