The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-04-12

the latter by the throat
Help" wheezed the victim, ss he was
borne backward upon a sofa.
Max Morris at once few to his esstst-
snce, but the strength Of the two availed
nothing ss against the powerful burglar
-Whst do you mesn?" demanded the
banker. Let him go!"
II mean," answered the enraged man,
as he released Sears and rose to his feet,
that I don't propose to be cheated out
Of the honest fruit Of my labor In no sueh
way as that! I want my share, and I'll
have it, or have his life, and yours, too
Max Morris, if you're in the scheme
Its no scheme" said Seazs, who was
on his feet now. I've been robbed.
Stuff" snsered the burglar.
Look here, Mart. we've been In many
deals together. Didn't I always tote
fair?"
"So far as I know, yes.
Would be fool enough to try suoh q
game on you2"
Hardly" admitted Bloom, though the
scowl did not lift from his face.
Il have it," cried Morris.
WHAT" chorused the others.
We've acted like children. That Cole
Winters is just four times as smart as we
thought him."
What is itP Do speak, urged the
''SEs You |aSi put 'ssS one $1,000 bond in his
pocket9"
Yes, yes"
He WASH. satisfied with that
Il don't understand
so he appropriated the other fifty
nine"
@Whew!"
And substituted lot Of ADVERTISE
ments he picked up at the Exposition
last night.
That's it," assented Sears.
And the bonds?" asked Bloom.
Are down in that cellar in one ct the
deLd mans pockets. :,
M one made suggestion, but all
acted on the one common impulse. In
moment the three had quilted the Office,
the proprietor locking the door after him.
At the fastest gait possible they hur-
sied down Clark street. They found the
coast clear, and were soon peering down
into the cellar. whose inky darkness hid
from the eyes Of the world dark and
hideous crime.
After a little they could discern the
form Of their victim.
Have you a LADDER" asked Morris,
eagerly.
There's one in 'front.'" replied Sears.
Wait q moment.
~Our good luck hasn't deserted as,
said the latter, who was the first to de-
scend.
Have you found them?" demanded
Bloom from the ladder.
NO, haven't looked yet. But I've
found something else"
What's that?"
@Hes-no more doad than you are.
and his discovery here would have
convicted and hung the last one Of us,
commented the banker, with shudder.
But we're in time to complete the work. I"
~The bonds first, urged the burly bur.
glar.
This was Nh unnecessary suggestion,
for Almon Sears was already in the act
of ransackiug the pockets Of the un.
conscious young man.
Here's o rum co." declared Morris,
when Cole had been searched and not q
vestigo of the missing fortune discov.
cred. What do you say, ALP"
THAT he found them before our arrival,
and hid them elsewhere"
Il never thought of that. Let's search
for them at once"
Not now; it's too risky"
What then2"
We'll take the young fellow away,
bring him to, and make him locate the
plunder. I'll find way to force it out Of
him. -.
"Goodl" cried the others, assentingly.
Martin Bloom raised the form of our
hero in his powerful arms and bore him
up the rude ladder as easily, to all ap-
penrances, as if he had been q child.
This accomplished, the ladder was
drawn up and the trap-door closed down.
Sears began search for the bonds,
which he believed to bo secreted some-
where in the long room, but abandoned
it when tho "cracksman" returned and
announced that he had secured hack,
and that il was waiting outside.
Bloom removed his overcoat, which he
wrapped about Cole; then he raised him
in his arms and followed his confeder.
ates into tho street.
1t was beginning to rain now, and fow
people were in view. Anyhow, the tax
ing away of sick man, us our hero sp-
peared to be. was neither strange nor
unusual proceeding, and attracted little
attention.
Drive fast" said Sears, who was tho
last of the party 10 enter the carrisge.
-Safel" whispered the banker, as with
o sigh of relief he sank back upon the
cushioned seat.
But he could not have been further
from the truth. At that moment himself
and guilty companions were anything but
safe.
From tho doorway of tho next building,
which Detective Hyland was in the act Of
leaving, the entiro transaction had been
observable.
Three accomplices!" muttered he, and
one of them Almon Sears! haven't lost
the trnil yet! Here goes!"
As the driver cracked his whip and
drove rapidly away the plucky detective
sprang forward and secured O place upon
tho rear axle Of the large vehicle.
ITO DE CONTINUED
WORDS OF WISDOM.