Connecticut western news., 1894-01-04
CANAAN CONN, THURSDAY, JANUARY A. 1894.

everything was ln disorder. On the dln- ing room table were the remains of the thieves supper, but Sir William as we'll 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 pursuit 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 delay, save to arm himself with a couple of pistols from the stand of arms in the hall. When he reached the head of the avenue, three-guarters of mile from the house, he dismounted to open the heavy gates. Then he perceived, in the dawning light of the chill March morning, strange dog sitting shiver- 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 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 London. Away went the dog, and away galloped Sir William, keeping an eye upon him always. It was broad daylight when the three reached the outskirts of Lon don, and Sir William was hailed by a voice he knew we'll. It was that of the major of his late regiment.
 "Hullo, colonel, where are you off to so early?" Major Higgins was on his way home after nights play at Brooks.
 Turn your horse's head, and I'll tell you," returned Sir William, through his set teeth. The idea of communicat- ing 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.
 Major Higgins did as desired, and in as few words as possible the news of the nights occurrence at Dunham 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, he fan cied, to be the clew to the recovery of his property. Dodging and winding his way among market carts and hackney coaches, the dog, never once relaxing his speed, diverged into bystreets and lanes, until he disappeared up court in Leather lane. .a.
 Dismounting and giving their horses in charge of lad, and having impress ed watchman 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 unarmed; the watch man brought up the rear in 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 an outside wooden staircase. Despite the remonstrances of hls com panions, he persisted in creeping eau tiously up the crazy stairs. There, curled up at a 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 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 watchman. A short scuffle, and the thieves saved their lives by surrendering at discretion to Sir Williams pistols. On table in their midst was spread out the whole of the "swag;" not an article was missing A presentation sword of Sir William s, 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 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- | mained, and these Sir William would show with great glee in after days, tell ing how the good sword was lost and won, while as to the dents and notches on the blade, gained in more legiti- mate warfare, the good colonel could scarce ever be got to speak word.- | Chambers Journal.