The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-19

dismay sho heard him descend tho
stairs. Having released her mistress,
tho lady's maid next hurried to the
rooms OF her fellow servants, OH all of
whom tho keys had been turned after
they had been threatened with instant
death If they uttered sound. They
were soon released, and the men serv-
ants descended in body to the ground
floor in search of their master. Hero
everything was in disorder On the din
ing room table Wore the remains of tho
thieves supper, but Sir William as
we'll as the dcpredators had vanished.
The groom returned from tho stables
with the news that his masters favorite
hunter was missing. There WAS no
doubt now that no had COMO single
handed i'll pursuit of tho thieves-as
was indeed the case.
Concluding that they wcro from Lon
Ton and were returning thither. Sir
William had saddlcd his hunter and
had started without an instant's delay,
save to arm himself with u couple of
pistols from tho stand of arms in the
hall. When he reached tho head of the
avenue, tiree-quarters of milo from
the house, he dismounted to open tho
heavy gates. Then no perceived, in
the dawning light of the chill March
morning, Il strange dog sitting SILVER
ing inside the gates, unable either to
surmount or pass under them. He con-
cluded at once that the cur belonged to
his late visitors. and that, having staid
behind, either for his supper or in
search of game his retreat had been cut
off by the closing of the gates. He re-
solved TO follow the clcw 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 tho direction of London
Away went the dog. and away galloped
Sir William. keeping an eye upon him
always. 1t was broad daylight when
the three reached the outskirts of Lon
don, and Sir William was hailed by
voice he knew well. 1t was that of tho
major of his late regiment
"Hullo, colonel, where arc you off to
so early?" Major Higgins was on his
way home after nights play at Brooks.
Turn Your horses head, and I'll tell
you, returned Sir William, through
his set teeth. The idea of communicate
ing his losses and the indignity he, an
old soldier, had suffered, sufficed to
make the blood, which his swift ride
had kept at fever heat, boil again.
Major Higgins did as desired, and
putting his horse to the gallop received
i'll as few words as possible the news
Of the nights occurrence at Durham
Court. as he and his old colonel made
their way side by side. through Oxford
street and the Strand never once losing
sight of the mOngrel that was, no fam
cied, to be the clcw to the recovery of
his property. Dodging and winding his
way among market carts and hackney
coaches, the dog. never once relaxing
his speed, divergcd into bystreets and
lanes, until he disappeared up Il court
in Leather lane
Dismounting and giving their horses
i'll charge of IL lad. and having impress
ed Waterman into their service, they
advanced up the court in single file. Sir
William led the way, cooked pistol
in either hand; Major Higgins, who
came next, was unarNcd; the watch
man brought up the rear in Il leisurely
way that showed him by no means
thirsting for the fray. Doorway after
doorway was examined, but the cur
seemed literally to have vanished. In
an angle of the cul-de-sac into which
they had entered Sir William at last
discovered IN outside wooden staircase.
Despite the circumstances of his COM
panions, he persisted in creeping eau
tiously up the crazy stairs There,
cnrlcd up alta door, and apparently fast
asleep, lay the cur which had so faith
fully but unconsciously guided him to
his masters lair.
A summons TO open the door met
with no response. Sir William, to whom
anger and excitement gave additional
energy. put his knee to the door, bid
ding Major Higgins 'duck' as no did
so. The door yielded with crash.
y shot passed over the lowered heads of
the two officers and took effect in the
cooked hat of the Waterman A short
scut11c, and the thieves saved their lives
by snrrcndering at discretion to Sir
Williams pistols. On Il table in their
midst was spread out the whole of the
"swag;" not an article was missing.
presentation sword of Sir Williams,
the hilt of which was thickly crusted
with gems, was tho 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 accustomed bed. A few bruises and
dents in the metal work of the hilt re-
manned, and these Sir William would
show with great glee III after days, tell
ing how the good sword was lost and
won, while as to the dents and notches