The sun., 1893-02-09

As the figure more closely approach
ed, the concealed constable marked
the mans white face and look of dis
may. And no wonder. 1t was hor-
rible dilemma for Mr.. Widgery. He
was lodging at the only inn in the
village, and it was at the far end-at
least half mile distant, and how
could he hope to make his way
all that long distance without attract
ing public attention-the very thing
he was desirous of avoiding-and per-
haps followed by as many of the early
rising inhabitants as had at present
turned out?
Nor was that the worst OF it. He
had no other rag of raiment except
that which had disappeared, and not
a single sixpence.
"a man might as we'll be dead" he
groaned aloud, just as he passed the
boulder where crouched the constable,
his baton trembling in his nervous
grip. And next instant down it came
with o single whack on the back of Mr..
Widgery's unprotected head, causing
him to drop before he could utter g.
word or sound.
Making sure first that the man was
stunned and insensible, with view OF
promotion for All unexampled act of
bravery, the policeman took off his
helmet, and placing it on the ground,
kicked deep dent in it, and wrench
ed @ few buttons from the front of his
tunic. Then he blew his alarm whistle,
and half dozen agricultural laborers
from a neighboring field came to his
assistance.
The news that the escaped convict
Peter Wimble had been taken spread,
of course, like wildfire. Handouts
were placed on the wrists of the still
inanimate man who was placed in
q cart and conveyed to the distant
prison closely escorted by volunteer
guard, every man armed with q stout
stick or some other weapon of de-
fence, in case the notoriously desper-
ate ruffian in custody should free him
self from his manacles and show fight.
A hasty telegram had been despatched
to the governor of the. prison, ap-
prising him of the important capture,
and the officials, one and all, were
eagerly awaiting the escaped convict's
arrival.
Still insensible, he was lifted out OF
the cart and carried into the lodge,
and laid on the floor in the presence
OF the governor, the chief warder, the
chaplain, and the doctor. One glance,
however, at the pallid face, and then,
with calculations of amazement, they
raised their heads to look at each
other. 1t was not Peter Wimbel
If the evidence of the clothes might be
accepted as satisfactory proof of
then it was him; for
there was the number Peter Wimble
had always worn and had been known
by on his shoulder badge. But unless
by some miraculous agency the con-
vict had changed faces with someone
else, it most certainly was not the
man. In size he corresponded, for the
clothes fitted as though made for him
who now wore them, but there the
resemblance ceased. Peter Wimble's
complexion through constantly work
ing the sea air, was bronzed and wealth
er tanned, whereas the skin of the in
dividual lying insensible before them
was smooth and delicate, and his hands
were Enthusiastically quite unaccustom-
ed to hard work. Nay, itwere absurd
to argue the matter for a single mo-
ment, since the mans half-closed eyes
were blue, and Peter Wimble's brown.
The constabl was the only person
who could throw a light on the mys-
terry, and he was at once closely inter-
rogated. He was in waiting outside
the lodge and had all ready for
delivery the semi.mendacious story
he had put together while on his way
with the cart.
''He was on duty" he said, on the
cliffs, and looking down on the shore,
when at a secluded spot, he observed
a man emerge from the water and
make towards a heap of clothing that
was lying by the rocks. AS soon as
the man raised a portion of the gar
ments to put them on, he, the police
man at once perceived the brand of
the broad arrow, and being aware
that there was a convict at large,
without hesitation resolved to take
him single handed. He waited until
the individual in question had dress
ed himself, and was in the act OF de-
scending the cliffs to effect the cap
ture, when he observed that he was
coming towards him and stood aside
ready to pounce on him when he got
within reach"
"What was his demeanor?" the Gov
ernor asked.
His demeanor, SIR" replied the
truthful policeman, "was exactly what
might be expected of such a ruffian
as he is. Hekept looking ground every
few steps he took. as though to make
sure that no one was observing him,
with his eyes glowing savagely and
cursing and swearing that he
would have the blood of anybody that
attempted to stop him. The lam
guage he used about you, sir, and the
other gentlemen belonging to the
prison, and the threats he uttered
against you was enough to make
one'sl hair stand on end to listen
to. He came along blaspheming and
swearing at his hard luck, and crying
aloud. "A man might as we'll be
dead"
"No sooner had he uttered these
words" continued the constable,
ethan | closed with him, and ter
rible struggle ensued between US. Il
will sooner die than be taken, he ex-
claimed, and sprang at my throat
and bore me to the earth, and while
| was down made q swinging kick at
my head, causing the dent in my he'll
met you now see, gentlemen. But /
was not much stunned, and was up
again in an instant and before he
could make good his hold on me again
| fioored him with single blow off
my truncheon."
After listening to this statement the
Governor again gazed amazedly at
the doctor, and then they both
turned to the chief warder to see
what he made of it. He could make
nothing of it, except that prob
ably the policeman was telling lies.
So there was nothing for it but to
carry the still insensible mysterious
stranger into the infrmary and en-
deavor to restore him to conscious
ness, and hear what account he gave
OF himself.
TO BE CON TINUED.
Boy and Dog Nature.