The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-22

were.the remains of the thieves sup
per, but Sir William, as well as the
depredators, had vanished The groom
returned from the stables with the
news that his masters favorite hunter
was missing. There was no doubt now
that he had gone single-handed in pur-
suit of the thieves-as was indeed the
case.
Concluding that they were from Lon
don and were returning thither. Sir
William had saddled his hunter and
had started without an instant,s de-
lay. save to arm himself with couple
OF pistols from the stand of arms in the
hall. When he reached the head OF the
avenue, three-quarters OF mile from
the house, he dismounted to open the
heavy gates. Then he perceived in the
dawning light of the chill March morn
ing strange dog sitting shivering in
side the gates, unable either to sur
mount 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
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
hailed by voice he knew we'll 1t was
that Of the major of his late regiment.
'Hullo, colonel. where are you off
to so early?" Maj. Higgins was on his
way home after a nights play at
Brooks.
Turn your horses head and I'll tell
you" returned Sir William through his
set teeth. The idea Of communicating
his losses and the indignity he. an old
soldier, had suffered suficed 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, diverged into by
streets aud lanes until he disappeared
up court in Leather lane.
Dismounting and giving their horses
in charge to a lad, and having i'm
pressed Waterman into their service,
they advanced up the court in single
pistol in either hand; Maj Higgins,
who came next, was unarmed; the
watchman brought up the rear in a
leisurely way that showed him by no
means thirsting for the fray. Door
way after doorway was examined, but
the cur seemed literally to have van
ished. In an angle of the cul-de-sac
into which they had entered Sir Will
liam at last discovered an outside
wooden staircase. Despite the remon-
strances of his companions, ne per-
sisted in creeping cautiously up the
crazy stairs. There, curled up at a
door. and apparently fast asleep, lay
the clew who had SO faithfully but I'M
consciously guided him to his masters
lair.
A summons 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 SO. 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 scufie, and the thieves
saved their lives by surrendering at
discretion to Sir Williams pistol On a
table in their midst was spread out tine
whole of their ''swag;" not an article
was missing. A presentation sword Of
Sir Williams, the hilt of which was
thickly crusted with gems, was the
only part of the booty that had met
with i'll usage; but every diamond.
ruby or emerald that h ad 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 A few bruises and dents
in the metal work of the hilt remained
and these Sir William would show
with great glee in after days, telling
how the good sword was lost and won,
while as to the dents and notches on
the blade. gained in more legitimate
warfare, the good colonel could scarce
~ ever be got to speak word.-Cham