The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1894-09-14
A COLONEL'S PERIL.

"One day." said Mr.. Myvart, "a card
was brought in to me bearing the name
Of General Woodhall. He followed it,
and found myself in the presence Of q
white whiskered old fire eater, who at
once attacked me as though were an
enemy's position.
"'Know my friend Hardymenti Colo
mel of the Haramzadi Horse-inost lis
tinguished officer
II confessed that had not the honor.
"'He's in trouble. They accuse him
Of theft. 1t has been put about that he
stole handsome decoration, star set
in brilliants, at the levee yesterday. By
George, it's monstrous! Don't you think
soY
81 should like to know the facts
suggested mildly.
1.-THE long and the short Of it was that
Colonel Hardyment, In the full uniform
of his corps, had been the day previous
to make his bow to royalty on his return
after long exile in the east.
HE had entered the palace and was
mixed up with the throng of dignitaries
pillars of the state, foreign diploma
lists, officers Of both services.
"There he made the most Of his time,
and with all the dexterity of an old and
practiced thief had collared everything
valuable that came within his reach.
HE was not caught in the act. But
wherever he went havoc and depreda-
ton followed in his track.
"And what might the colonel say
himself OF course he has heard about
it from some kind friend
"sNot word. The fact is-Hardy-
ment-is not to be found
"'That of itself looks l did not dare
finish the sentence.
"'Tll shoot the man who accuses him!
Everybody's wrong, or else some one has
personated him.
"'But that would have been very diff
cult. First of all, the possession of his
uniform, the knowledge how to put 1t on,
and it would have been so easy to recog-
nize him, to detect an impostor. Such a
man as Colonel Hardyment would be well
known
"'Not in this country. He has moi
been home for years, and there were very
few Indian officers at the levees.'
"Were your
"Of course not. Doyou suppose that
this would have happened if I had beer
thereY
II shook my head gravely. The whole
thing looked fishy in its most favorable
light-kleptomania at least.
"You must not overrate my powers
Let us 60 at once to Colonel Hardyment's
quarters. Where does he live, or, rath
er, where did he liver
| "It was q modest residence-only ont
room, in a house all chambers, in tn,
neighborhood of Pail Mall. The porter
who knew the general, accompanied III
up stairs and let US into his room will
his pass key.
"The room was all In disorder, cloth
ing lying about, uniform just as it hat
been taken off thrown onto the bed
which observes had not been slept in.
"'When did you see the colonel last
I asked the porter. TO speak to,
mean
"'The day before yesterday, SIR
"'He has no servant of his own?
Not now,' interposed the general
He had man-engaged him directly b
came home--but turned him off weel
or two ago. That was why he came t
live here, where he could get attendant
| and be valeted.'
1 90 40 vy,t
nation of the room. It had evidentl,
been ransacked. rummaged, rifed from
end to end. Everything valuable ha'
disappeared; there was not trace of
trinket; the jewel tray of the dressing
case was empty; the tops presunabl
silver Of the bottles had been removes
and some Of the best of the clothes.
81 saw no reason to exonerate thecolc
nel until / caught sight Of bunch O
keys on the floor, and STOPPING to pic
them up found also ssn unmistakabl
picklock or burglars skeleton key.
at was the first suspicion of foul play
Colonel Hardyment, under the circum
stances, would scarcely have left hi
keys behind him. He might certainl
have forgotten them, but even tina
would not account for the skeleton key
"'Tell me more about the colonel's lat
servant, will you, General Woodhal
Where did he get himY
Through an agency, Ibelieve. RAJ
; kelf was his name-a Smart, soldierlik
, chap-about Hardyment's own size. ha
rather look of him, indeed
"But even as spoke there was asoun
Of hurried footsteps on the stairs, an
some one broke suddenly into the room
wild, disheveled figure-dirty, unshorr
in ragged clothes-who threw himsel
all of a heap in an armchair.
at was Colonel Hardyment bimseli
Concern, surprise, indignation, We're tn
feelingsexpressed on both sides, and cor
fess / shared them and was deeply a
fected when / heard the colonels story
which, after good dose Of brandy. h
was strong enough to tell.
HE had returned to his chambers lai
one night from his club when he found
message waiting for him. An old so
der friend of his, who had just com